A hotel in New York is charging wedding couples $500 for every bad review left online by its guests.
The Union Street Guest House said that it levies the fines because visitors “may not understand” its vintage interior and period furniture.
“If your guests are looking for a Marriott type hotel they may not like it here,” it added.
A couple making a wedding booking will have the fine deducted from their deposit “for every negative review of USGH placed on any internet site by anyone in your party,” according to the hotel’s wide-ranging terms and conditions, The Telegraph reported,
The guest house said that it will refund the fee when a bad review is taken down.
But the hotel’s Yelp reviews page has been flooded with criticism from furious web users, according to the newspaper.
“This is the worst business practice I have ever heard of,” wrote one reviewer. “You are about to find out what this bullying does to your business.”
Another added: “Earn your positive reviews! In this day and age, customer service is everything! The Internet only holds you more accountable.”