I stayed at a hotel in London that turned out to be a Rick steeves suggestions last summer. It was ok but i know all lot of people would turn their nose up to it. It was a bit away from downtown (20 minutes) So it makes me wonder what are the other places like that he suggests.

As you probably know, Rick Steves seems to concentrate on what I would call "economy" travel. That applies to food, lodging, transport, and everything else. I have never been on a Rick Steves tour, which was the subject of your question, but I would have to assume that he visits some very important places but puts you up in lower class (not necessarily bad) hotels.

The one aspect of Rick Steves' travel recommendations that I dislike is that he identifies specific locations such as small hotels, which cannot possibly accommodate the thousands of people who follow his suggestions and might want to stay there. As a result, those who do are frequently disappointed.

There are lots of other suggestions on this forum besides those that might have been inspired by Rick Steves. It would pay to look at them and also to get a good guidebook. Good luck.

While I like Rick Steeves itineraries, however, I do not like his accommodations. They are cheap, budget and sometimes inconvenient. Same with dining.
I do love Karen Brown books.

I ran into one of Rick's groups in Vernazza one year. The group was relatively small by tour group standards (I'd say 18 people?) and they seemed to be having a great time. We had drinks with their tour guide and bus driver one night and they were smart and fun.

I have stayed in many of the hotels Rick Steves recommends but I always do my research. I check his recommendations against the comments here on Fodors as well as Tripadvisor.com, etc. While I do want hotels within my budget, I do want charming, and in a good area.

We stayed at a Rick Steves pick in Venice. I was very amused by a lady checking in at the front desk who was asking the clerk which room Rick Steves stays in when he is here. His reply was that Rick never stays here - he rents an apartment. hahahahahahaha

There are obviously many people who are pleased with Rick Steves, his products, his travel philosophy, etc. I have used his books for informational purposes on a number of occasions. I try to use a lot of resources when picking hotels. I don't necessarily agree with his usual "First Class isn't worth it" mantra and I always stay where I feel comfortable, etc., etc.

If I make a lodging "mistake" I don't blame anyone but myself and chalk it up to experience.

Hotels that are a "bit away" from the center are not exclusive to Rick Steves' tours...that can happen with much larger companies, too.

Bottom line: do the research about hotel locations before booking ANY tour with ANY company.

Rick seems to have very good tours and they seem to have fun--if you want a group experience. However, they are more expensive than doing the same itinerary on your own. The planning is half the fun.

travelbeach~ I'm confused if your question is about going on the small group organized European tours that are organized and sold by Rick Steves' company... *OR* following recommendations for hotels and restaurants that he writes about in his guidebooks.

His tips on haircuts and clothes seem a bit off balance. His behavior near train windows is of concern as well. Does he still eat standing up?

What hotel in London was it? No hotel in London is central for everything. I can't think of any that RS recommends that are really not central, unless he specifically stated that.

The actual package tours do not seem particularly economy-focused. In fact I think they're fairly expensive.

It's quite evident that RS is getting less and less economy-oriented with every new edition.

I am a huge fan of Rick Steves' TV show, his books and the great people at the ETBD office in Edmonds WA. He really changed our way of looking at travel from being spectators to being participants. I like 2 and 3 star hotels. I like meeting the other people who stay there and share breakfast with you. I like to stay close to the center of the action in any town or city. He says in his books that he likes "small family-run" hotels. No wonder they book up quick, they're small. It got us away from looking to the cookie cutter chains.

Several people on this forum have commented on how much they like the small towns and, to quote Rick Steves, "backdoor" places in Europe. I agree. Getting out into the countryside and out of the steel and glass elevator hotels gives you a very rich travel experience. I've never taken one of his tours but I suspect it may be somewhere between the free-wheeling go where the wind blows trip and a big-bus tour.

What is "downtown" London, anyway?

I too am a fan of Rick Steves. I think his books are terrific and I've been to some of his free seminars in Edmunds (outside Seattle) and they have been very worthwhile. I also like many of his products--daypack and moneybelts.

Since I agree with many people here and LOVE planning my own trips and enjoy being an independent traveller, I wouldn't go on a tour, but if I were to, I certainly would consider his. Friends of ours went on one to Turkey and they loved it.

I've stayed at 3 of his hotel recommendations and didn't like 2 of them--Hotel Europa in Madrid and Hotel Continental in Barcelona (although some people in Fodors have liked both), but LOVED Hostal Cardinal in Toledo.

Those of you who praise Rick Steves are probaby too young to have heard of Arthur Frommer. Rick's ideas are not new. His style of travel is an exact copy of Arthur's. Arthur taught us in the 1970s and did it better. Rick's book designs are imitations of Arthur's also. Amazing coincidence? Rick's originality is his sophomoric attitude.

Ouch.

yeah, and people are as jealous of Steves as they were of Frommer. I agree with Bobthenav -- the itineraries are great to build on when planning your own. We had a spreadsheet with his 3 week Italy tour on it and as I planned my variations I kept track of how much money we saved. We ended up with a fantastic trip, staying in places we felt were nicer, and at about 1/3 lower the total cost.

I like his TV shows and his books are good for folks who want to try independent travel but need a push to actually get out on their own.

I really have nothing against RS - he is obviously very successful (however he sometimes does come out w/ a doozy of a recommendation -- like "take the train from LHR to Bath to pick up a rental car", but neglecting to say there is no rail connection between the two).

My complaint is with Steves-army - those who follow his marching orders exactly. He has convinced people (millions of 'em) to go to smaller off the beaten path sort of places. Once someplace has been "Steve'd" it immediately lands ON the beaten path. Many of the towns, neighborhoods, B&Bs, cafes he recommends are too small and "quaint" to to absorb the crowds that will come and are.

Use his guides as guides, not bibles . . . . .

janis, beautifully said. i will probably for my lifetime skip cinque terra and hotels near rue cler in paris for exactly this reason.

for uninitiated or timid travelers i believe Steves' books, TV programs and general philosophy can open up travel possibilities in a non-threatening manner.

Hopscotch, You are right I recently saw Rick on a PBS beg-athon and he paid great homage to Arthur Frommer and the Europe on $5 a day mentality. He referred to him as a great guru of independent travel. Mentionedd a time when he wnt to Frommer's lectures to learn from the great man.

Is it true that Rick Steves discovered Venice and caused the tourist hoardes to cause Venice to sink under the weight of tourism? that's what i heard.