TripAdvisor
I’m planning a trip up the coast for next month. It’s always time consuming to try to find and evaluate potential hotels. I used to search the web sites of the bigger chains (BestWestern, Choice Hotels, Marriott, etc…), or a couple travel sites (Expedia, Hotels.com, Travelocity). Both processes work, but they can be time consuming and I was never sure about the reviews.
I’ve found something better: TripAdvisor.com. It searches the other travel sites and creates a nice overview of availability and prices. The best part is the reviews written by real people. It gives you a great impression of the actual hotel experience — the good, and the bad. They also have info on flights, attractions, dining, and more. Next time you’re planning a trip, start with TripAdvisor.