Rick

We watch and re-watch his programs on public TV, we have attended several of his travel seminars and carry his books with us when we go but I mostly don't take any one person's recommendation. We use Rick, Karen Brown, this forum, the rants and raves, books on say convents and finally each places web site. The web site I trust least of all as it is to easy to make a place look really great depending on what photos are used. I have never run into a "not as advertised" out of Rick's books. I am not always looking for the least expensive often I may choose based on location or parking availability even if I have to pay a bit more.

Several years ago we tried for a Steve's recommended place in Keswick to find it full. The place next door had space available and in talking to the proprietoress she complained that the Steve's recommended place had changed owners 3 times since it had been recommended and it really wasn't the same place while she couldn't get a mention.

I also think that Rick's lists are are including more up scale places as his readers age.

BethH

I have used Rick Steves' recommendations with good results but I did double-check them using searches both on his site and on this one. Posters to his "Graffiti Wall" give reviews of hotels that he has recommended, and I used multiple negative reviews from both boards as a means of weeding out hotel choices.

Sheilab

He's hit and miss on his selections and the directions are not clear.. Best to check and see if your local newspaper's travel writer has a best of list.

flygirl

I have stayed at the Pensione Bretagna and agree with Lesli. basic, but quite clean. good location. nice views!

Bootman4U

As to Varenna..we were there about three weeks ago (actually staying in a hotel over in Menaggio that Steves wouldn't think of recommending (too upscale) and we stopped in at his recommended DuLac for a look. This place looked wonderful and I would very much consider staying there on the next trip to Lake Come...check it out if you can..great views of the lake, walking distance to the rest of the town including the ferry dock (better to take a taxi from the RR station, however)...but, not surprising when we were there it was BOOKED to capacity and probably due to Rick Steves.

quepasa18

I have stayed in hotels in Spain that he recommended. However, before I made the reservations, I cross-referenced his choices with a couple other guidebooks (Time Out and Lonely Planet), as well as searching this board and Rick Steves' Graffiti Wall on his site. So I wasn't relying on his opinion alone.

Anne

Giovanna

We stayed at the Europa in Madrid, as suggested by Rick Steves, and it was a real bargain. Our room was spartan but spotless and had a great bathroom. The hotel is steps away from Puerta de Sol, which we considered a good location, both in terms of access to the Metro and walking.

Since then we have pretty much made hotel decisions based on Fodor's raves and input from posters. We have yet to be disappointed with those choices.

maitaitom

"Our room was spartan..."

I have found that to be the case for many of his choices. I have not used his books to choose hotels for years, although I have ended up at a couple of places that he has recommended (without my knowledge). It does seem he realized his shortcomings and is now putting in some higher priced (and better) choices. I would never solely go by his recommendation for a hotel.

As for his restaurant suggestions, I dined at a couple in the mid 90s and now I stay as far away from his restaurant picks as possible.

That said, I do use his suggestions sometimes for walks and museum tours. I think he is best for people who are making their first journey to Europe. And I do agree with his philosophy which can be boiled down to "when in Rome....."