Just thinking what travel websites *should* do -- so annoying when I can't find impartial online info about my destinations . . . <BR> <BR>Why is it so difficult to get an interior view of a hotel room? If I'm sleeping there, then I'd like to see what it's like! <BR>Don't you hate it when one hotel has paid to put up a site, but you can't get info about any other lodging in that village? <BR>Worst of all, when hotels don't live up to their online hype? <BR>Plus going somewhere written up by Let's Go or Rick Steves or whoever ... and being surrounded by other Americans (yikes)! <BR> <BR>What are your gripes about travel websites? <BR>Have fun...!

When I do see photographs of hotel rooms, they are usually not what I get. I think they use a photograph of their suites instead of a typical room. Although in the end I'm still happy with the room I get, it would be nice to see a photo of the room in advance. <BR> <BR>I disagree with you wanting a hotel who has paid to be one line to list their competitors. <BR> <BR>But I do agree with you with the Let's Go or Rick Steves issue. I was in Paris in May and selected one of RS's recommended restaruants. No one BUT Americans. I'd rather eat in a place filled with a variety of foreigners. The restaurant was VERY GOOD and well priced, but not the atmosphere I prefer. I do like running into other fellow Americans, but not at a place where 100% of the people are Americans.

Hi Monica -- <BR> <BR>My point was that sometimes a nice hotel will post a (good) site, like the Hotel du Lac in Duingt . . . but good luck finding a plain vanilla listing of all the other Duingt hotels (in my eternal search for the perfect 2-star) . . . <BR> <BR>And yeah, if I've paid all this money to get over to Europe, the last thing I want is to be surrounded by my fellow countrymen! I get that at home! <BR> <BR>How 'bout a travel site with places listed that *guarenteed* haven't been listed by Fodors, Let's Go, etc. etc. . . but then as soon as they're listed online they'll be guidebooked anyway . . . oh well!

We use Rick Steves a lot and I agree that you'd rather not have 100% Americans. However, it is a quandry with so many Americans traveling. We do not want organized bus tours so we travel by car. As a result, you want to find reasonable accomodations in smaller hotels to get a feel for the location. Therefore, you use a reliable source. For a couple locations, I did independent web searchs and found a couple great choices, then I looked in Rick steves and guess what, they were his recommendations too!!! Especially when you only have a couple weeks, as opposed to a month, you tend to rely on available resources. I guess we have to remember it's an "adventure" and make the best of it and enjoy!

Hey, check this one for usefulness & cool design. If you're going to Paris & want to check out bistro information, or want listings of jazz, spoken word, or philosophical cafes (even in English!): <BR> <BR>http://www.zingueurs.com/zingueurs/ <BR>:¬)