I have found that reading reviews on TripAdvisor is a good way to get a feel of a place.

IMO, "awful food" is not a valid reason to avoid a hotel. Cockroaches, rusty razorblades in the bathroom, doors that do not lock, staff fighting with guests are more valid. I have experienced them all and only the place where the staff was fighting with other guests I wrote a "avoid this place" review on TripAdvisor (it was basically a scam hotel that I got scammed into staying at).