Originally Posted by
abmj-jr
I always buy at least one - or more - guide for each new place I will visit, always ignore recommended places to stay or dine ... and always leave the guidebook home when I go. I make up a list of potential sites to visit and might Xerox a particularly helpful map or two but have done the research I feel is necessary before leaving for the airport.
This seems like a very expensive way to do research and acquire a map or two. If that's your target amount of info why not start with the websites of the travel companies instead?
And I have definitely stayed in properties recommended by guides and had phenomenal stays, but they generally have not been the major chain ones. On that front I actually find the DK guides to be the most helpful.