oldqueen50

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...Australia.html
I was looking for Adelaide acommodation-going back to revisit some friends...................
I am a bit miffed at Fodors comments in light of those for the North Adelaide heritage Group on tripadvisor and other review sites. How thoroughly does Fodors actually look at accommodation?
These reviews seem world's apart... Fodors may have been shown the "best" and asumed it was all the same. this is confusing.........
Fodors should perhaps consider actual guest reviews. I am new to this site having bought the guides previously when going o/s.

has anyone else found the Fodors Choice not living up to expectations?

crellston

All reviews should be taken with a pinch of salt. Guide books and travel websites are out of date as soon as they are published. As far as tripadvisor is concerned there has been a lot of press comment re fake reviews both negative and positive and even tripavisor itself has admitted this is a problem. There was a report of a hotel owner here in the UK who had boosted his own establishment to#1 with false reviews.
IME the best way to select hotel is torely on boards such as this for honest and forthright opinions. Maybe if more of us took the time to post comments on Fodors choice this would upgrade the effectiveness of Fodors Choice?

mlgb

I ALWAYS look at Trip Advisor. Yes there are fake postings and people who get upset over something minor, but often you find hidden gems that Fodors hasn't included, perhaps they are too small or not located near the prime tourist areas.

Fodors probably is fine for the areas which are heavily visited by Americans, but go somewhere even slightly off the beaten path, and you may not get much input, or only one or two people, vs. perhaps dozens of reviews on Trip Advisor.

Case in point, my favorite lodging in Punta Arenas, La Casa Escondida, a fairly new B&B which I only found out about thru TripAdvisor.

Songdoc

On both TripAdvisor AND Fodors you can click to see all of a poster's previous posts (or reviews -- in the case of TA). Any time I find a rave review from a poster who has never reviewed any other property I assume it's phony.

oldqueen50

Thank you to all who contributed. i am not sure if the assumption of 1 review being fake? A person may be motivated to write only if one experience is exceptional or bad
I think perhaps verification may help, but sometimes people have motives that are questionable or infact people have different standards and requirements. What is good for one is not good enough for the next.
I am new to Fodors, although I have used their guides much in the past. They tend to have the "popular" places and I admit finding the more niche and individual things is difficult. When looking at standards i always check the rating in any country, if there would be a problem I would then contact the agency providing the rating. I love looking through the Relais&Chateau portfolio as well as Small Luxury Hotels of the World. These brands are reliable with membership very selctive. There is always unusual and unique hotels of the world as well. I have no idea how fodors selects their endorsed or fav products........they cannot see them all?? Brand, star ratings must be a guide.The world has opened up so much with the internet...
I find photos really really helpful.....
It is a bit like visitirs books, not everyone writes in them and only certain people will be motivated to write on sites... It is a case of doing as much research as possible and trying to find a balance. I am in search of the extraordinary, rather than the ordinary.
i was still miffed at the reply to a Tripadvisor complaint-we leave a note to advise guests to contact us if there is a problem...
Of course abuses may occur..... How does Fodors select where they go?

Songdoc

Here's an interesting link about how to spot bogus reviews:

http://www.gadling.com/2007/06/07/ho...or-effectively

mlgb

Good article.

Another effect I've noticed that isn't mentioned, or always apparent is the Priceline/Hotwire reviewer. For some reason they seem to have higher expectations, although they might be given a less-desirable room. My favorite complaint is that the pools in Palm Springs hotels in the summer are crowded with children, and that it was too hot...what did they expect! A lot of SoCal locals take advantage of the cheap rates to book a family pool vacation.

Bokhara2

Bushranger, Bushranger ... wherefore art thou?

Oh. Right.