How much does TripAdvisor influence your vacation planning?

[Swan4Me]

On a trip (overnite) to Memphis I almost Booked a hotel chain I liked-went to Trip Advisor and a couple people complained about train whistles all nite long-sure enough, when I looked on the map it was right next to a busy train track

 

[Snoopymom]

I love it, love to read the forums too.

My sil actually called a hotel and asked them if the terrible reviews were true because all the other cheaper hotels were booked, and the manager pretty much said yes with a you get what you pay for attitude.

We used to rent beachhouses in NC every year, and every year there were palmetto bugs, we'd call the rental company, they'd come out and spray, all was good. We used to joke, that maybe we should just call about 2 hours before we got there.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I understand that not everyone has the same experience at the same establishment, but to be SO different?!?!? Paper-thin walls at the same place that someone else remarks on the wonderful soundproof walls.

That's what I found when I read the reviews for the Comfort Inn in Kenner LA by the airport. I posted my review (which was pretty bad) and there were maybe 3 other bad ones. All of the rest of the reviews were positively glowing. I looked at it again yesterday after I read this thread and noticed that almost all of the good reviews are from people with only one review under their belt. I think the management is posting good reviews to cover up the bad reviews.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

A few months ago I booked The Winds Resort in North Carolina because it had pretty good reviews.

Now a few months later, it is getting more and more negative reviews, with posters stating is old, out of date, and has cockroaches/palmetto bugs.

This is a 17 hour drive for us and I would hate to drag the family all the way there and have the resort not be what we expected. We are also paying for the ocean view so it's not cheap.

Do you listen to TripAdvisor?

Anyone stay at The Winds?

I pay attention to the reviews that stick to the facts and state exactly what happened and exactly what the company did to remedy the problem upon it being brought to their attention. Those are the kind of reviews that tell me more about the experience. It stank, don't go here, just tells me the reviewer didn't like it, or didn't like something about it. That's not all that helpful and that is the type of review, I give lesser weight to.

 

[7165red]

I love TA, it's a great sight. I especially like the forums.