I use TA as I use the reviews on booking.com and Expedia. Sort so the worst ratings show first. If I read things there repeatably which I would find very negative as well (dirty, run down, noise, smoking in rooms/on floors, not delivered what was promised, dangerous area...) I will avoid the hotel even if it has 100s of "What a great place reviews". I actually do not look at the positive reviews, only the negative ones.