I asked a question in a thread entitled "Please Clarify: Maes B&B". In another thread (title: Maes B&B Amsterdam) I read exactly the same answer verbatim. Are they advertisers? trolls? friends of the owners? What is your take on this???

To me, it does not sound like a spontaneous review by someone who stayed there. It sounds more like a promotional text; by the owners themselves? by friends of theirs? Who knows?

I would leave that reply out of the equation and judge on the basis of the others you have received.

I have looked at tripadvisor, and now I am even wondering which of those reviews is for real!!

Dear Wren,

If you are in doubt about this place, look elsewhere.

I read the answer you're questioning, and it certainly isn't a troll. Sometimes I'll copy and paste answers I've given in the past when a similar question comes up later on. Maybe that's what happened in this case. Though it is quite a detailed response.

I have read the reviews on trip advisor too and fortunately one of the reviews of a particular Rome Hotel happened to be written by someone who lives only about 20 miles from my home and I was able to contact them personally - which was great.

I don't know the place but after reading the two threads and the posters lack of history, my gut feeling is that it isn't unbiased advice. I could be wrong, of course.

As to whether I'd still go to a place that was advertising itself on travel boards - if they were open about it, I'd probably still consider it. I'm not against enterprising business people.

But, if I thought they were presenting themselves as a past guest, or allowing a friend to do so, I'd give them a pass. If they're misrepresenting themselves before I even book, I know I'd have a hard time wondering what else they'd be less than honest about.

The same answer is now posted on Tripadvisor. This person is making the rounds!

I haven't followed the thread you are asking about or know a thing about this hotel in A'dam. I have a few favorite hotels in the world and post about them whenever they come up on several different travel boards. I have been accused of being on the hotel staff on several occasions! Neither a here nor there or answer to your questions... guess it could be an advertisment or simply an over zealous internet poster.