I've been a user (and reviewer) on TripAdvisor since almost their inception. I have generally been positive about the service, and have always been a heavy user.

As some have pointed out here already, many of the reviews seem to be "crusades" by angry guests - not exactly a balanced review. On the other hand, I've found by reading a handful of the reviews (and checking the status of the reviewers), one can get an accurate picture of the property.

However I'm now of the opinion that the corporations/property owners are now "in control" of the process, and TripAdvisor reviews are being increasingly corrupted by insiders.

I recently had occasion to be in a Cairns, Queensland Australia hotel during a lunchtime meeting of the local tourism authority. I stuck my head into the meeting and was treated to a presentation by the tourism leadership on how to "get organized" and have each other property owner write glowing reviews on the region's hotels and restaurants.

Likewise, I recently wrote a review of an absolutely horrible Radisson Hotel experience in Bridgetown, Barbados. Among other things this 8 story hotel was operating with ALL the elevators out-of-service during a major remodeling that was never disclosed to the guests booking this hotel.

I attempted to lodge a review about this situation. It was rejected everytime I sent it in. I've been doing this a long while now with over 150 hotel reviews, and am cognizant on the way these reviews are to be submitted. This one never could make it through, and I was finally told "it is too harsh". Huh?

Meanwhile, the same hotel has reviews posted marked "Review collected in partnership with Radisson Hotels". I've attached one of the reviews. It is (like many of them) a couple sentences and then filled with apparently computer generated gibberish. Obviously some kind of compromised TripAdvisor system that allows the hotel to submit their own obviously fraudulent reviews.

I've noticed many experienced business travelers withdrawing from their reviewing of properties. TripAdvisor is now being run by the toadies.