•General hotel ratings influence reviews’ usefulness.•Specific hotel attributes ratings differently affect reviews’ usefulness.•A U-shaped effect is generally found in the hotel review ratings.•In rating for location, directional reviews are not… Click to show full abstract
•General hotel ratings influence reviews’ usefulness.•Specific hotel attributes ratings differently affect reviews’ usefulness.•A U-shaped effect is generally found in the hotel review ratings.•In rating for location, directional reviews are not different from each other.
               
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