I'm always baffled as to how reviews can vary so wildly.

I tend to look at the good reviews for a quick idea of the property/level of service and then turn to the bad reviews to see if there's any deal breakers hiding in there.

Finally, i look at them in order - if it has bad reviews, then complaints about construction, then good reviews for several months after that, I easily surmise the resort got an overhaul.

Reviews that tell me nothing are what I really hate. "Bad hotel, don't stay here." just isn't helpful. Complaints about the breakfast food are useful in that it's not something I care about. Complaints about noise level are the ones I take the most seriously.