Critique sites

Don’t quite trust that guidebook hotel list? Guest critiques of accommodations have become increasingly popular on the Web. Here are some sites that feature your fellow travelers’ reviews.

Tripadvisor.com

Hotels reviewed: 2.7 million reviews, 200,000 properties

Specialties: U.S., Europe

Comments: Comprehensive range of properties.

Travelocity.com

Hotels reviewed: 50,000 reviews, 18,000 properties

Specialties: U.S. chain properties

Comments: Listings deleted after one year.

Wheretostay.com

Hotels reviewed: 13,000 reviews, 3,000 properties

Specialties: Caribbean

Comments: Contradictory reviews of same properties.

Expedia.com

Hotels reviewed: 70,000 reviews, 18,000 properties

Specialties: U.S. East and West coast hotels

Comments: Only posts user reviews of “Expedia Special Rates” hotels.

Hotelshark.com

Hotels reviewed: 700 reviews, 500 properties

Specialties: Big U.S. cities

Comments: Summaries of reviews; thin on listings in some major destinations.

Igougo.com

Hotels reviewed: 35,000 reviews, 15,000 properties

Specialties: U.S., Europe

Comments: Some reviews posted for several years.

Fodors.com

Hotels reviewed: 38,000 reviews, 10,000 properties

Specialties: Mid-range North American hotels

Comments: Few Latin American or Asian properties reviewed.

Epinions.com

Hotels reviewed: 51,000 reviews, 28,000 properties

Specialties: U.S. hotels and resorts

Comments: Most thorough reviews of any site; easy to navigate; no reviews for many popular hotels.

Ricksteves.com (click Graffiti Wall, then Sleeping)

Hotels reviewed: More than 1,000

Specialties: Western Europe

Comments: Reviews of hostels and other properties not listed elsewhere; many one-line rants and raves, few thoughtful critiques.