While I've never ended up in a "flea pit", I have been in many properties I didn't really like. The way I end up in them is by clicking "sort by price" and work my way up from the cheapest until I find one that doesn't seem too bad.

It works almost all the time, but occasionally I end up somewhere I'd rather not!

I love so much about this review I couldn't cut it down, from the Hilton Princess Managua, Nicaragua:

Even tough this hotel belongs to the Hilton brand there are things that does not meet the expectations. The staff is kind however they don't consider that the guest needs a paceful room to rest. I booked a room for 3 nights, the last one was a friday night, and when I arrived to my room (117) by night the music of the downstairs party was so loud that it was impossible to me to sleep. Why they assign rooms in the first floor if they are going to have a party? For sure they know that it is impossible to sleep because when I complained about the music they don't denied the problem. They just offered me a room change, however it is very annoying to change the room by midnight when what you want is to sleep and when you have to leave the room early in the morning next day to take a flight. Of course that I complained and I denied to pay that night because it is not fair, the hotel prefer to make a good money renting the ballroom instead of provide a good service to their guests that we are also paying for the room. When I arrive to the 5th floor room I found out the window have an aperture that allowed the noise from the pool to come inside of the room! The issue it is an old construction that needs new modern windows. Hotel totally no recommendable, there are better hotels at the same price.

You can't make this stuff up. Saw this one yesterday:

"the waiters are very attentive but not intrusive, the food was subliminal..."

Saw one stating: avoid this location. Breakfast is terrible, not acceptable to me and my family. We only had waffles, fruit and coffee during our seven day trip. I don't know how the have the nerve to call that breakfast!

From a review of the Hilton Bentley Miami/South Beach: "Bathroom seemed as if Donald Trump threw up on it, outdated. Do you really need a bidet, come on now."

And from the same reviewer: "Upon checking in with my girlfriend, the front desk felt the need to announce loudly that I used my points. NO NEED."

I guess he had hoped the girlfriend would think he was paying cash for the room? In my experience, it's fairly standard for front desk agents to confirm at check-in that the hotel has an award certificate on file. I seriously doubt the agent here was attempting to embarrass him in doing so.

This is an actual cut and paste, with the hotel name left out. You think a travel agent from Steamboat Springs, CO, that has traveled "all over the world" would be aware of check in times.....

I am a travel agent and I have traveled extensively all over the world. In all of my life I have never had such an unpleasant experience checking into a hotel. The ******** in San Juan, Puerto Rica was absolutely the very worst. We waited in line for over 25 minutes to be told we could not check into our room until after 3:00.


I guess they call it Puerto Rica in Steamboat Springs. This shows why I hate travel agents, or people who call themselves that. They are probably telling their customers that they can check in at anytime, or anything else they want just to make a sale.

Eating anywhere except the Westin on the waterfront in Key West

Small is relative. A 50 ft boat is small compared to a cruise ship, no? People have all sorts of phobias. If you're scared of a "little" boat, you're scared of a "little" boat. I don't know if this was disclosed to the passengers ahead of time or not. If it wasn't, it's a legitimate issue as the wife assumed - like most people who have never been on a cruise before do - that the cruise ship docks and you walk off the ship to the destination.

Wait a casino took your money? I'm shocked! (Rivers Casino - Pittsburgh, PA)

Not on Tripadvisor, but on Booking.com, where the reviews list pluses and minuses. For a farm guesthouse in Iceland that I was considering. Both from the same review. Paraphrased, but not by much:
Forget it! What kind of farmhouse in a lovely, peaceful, scenic location in the countryside isn't right next to a grocery store and gas station?

I'd wager good money that the reviewer was a smoker who ran low at some point...

A classic whinge:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ECK_RATES_CONT

Surely you've seen Oliver's follow up and consequent attempts at justification here on the FT thread that he started?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ipAdvisor.html

And no I haven't BadgerBoi. Link?

I will NEVER stay at a St. Regis property again! (and I think that the St Regis staff and management may be grateful)