468x60 - Unpublished Rate Hotels



By Marianne Schwab | Best Travel Deals Tips Blog



Hotel Reviews - Worldwide

Get Hotel Reviews
from the U.S. & Around the World

Do you ever hate when you book a hotel online and find out that it's completely different than it looks like on the website? So do I and thanks to websites that now offer hotel reviews from people who've actually stayed in the hotel, you can get unbiased reviews. Well, usually you can.

I'm a firm believer in reading hotel reviews before you book any hotel online. When I was booking a hotel in Venice, Italy, last Fall, reviews were key to my final decision, but you need to be aware that not all reviews are as they appear.



I recently attended a travel show in Los Angeles and was very excited to meet and interview respected travel guide book author, Pauline Frommer (interview right). She reported that many reviews that you see on travel web sites are not all genuine from guests, but fake reviews from the hotel marketing department or friends of people who work at the hotel. I'm making you aware of this so you don't make your hotel booking decision on only the good reviews and take a look at some of the not so good reviews when booking travel online. I know there were some spot on reviews of hotels I stayed at when I was in Barcelona from previous guests that weren't so happy with the hotel. I just wish I'd listened to them instead of relying on photos that somehow managed to fool me.

Here are a few of my hotel reviews which will grow as I add some of the hotels that I've stayed out over the past twenty years. But this page is not just about my hotel reviews since this is a travel community page and I really want your hotel reviews and iReports as well so please add your hotel reviews below.

U.S. Hotel Reviews

Pelican Grand Beach Resort, Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Review
With Ft. Lauderdale's 23 miles of beaches, there are only three hotels that are actually located on the beach. I was very fortunate to stay at one of them, the Pelican Grand Beach Resort.

Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel, Los Angeles, CA - Review
The Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel is a hidden gem located in Los Angeles. It's no wonder that many celebrities choose this hotel when they visit L.A.

Queen Mary Hotel, Long Beach, CA - Review
The Queen Mary is a 1930s transatlantic ocean liner that is now a one-of-a-kind floating hotel and attraction.

Hilton Harbor Island, San Diego, CA - Review
The Hilton Harbor Island airport hotel is a wonderful discovery on many levels. I highly recommend this hotel because of its location, service, hospitality, cleanliness and overall value.

Hotel del Coronado, San Diego, CA - Review (Coming Soon)
The Hotel del Coronado radiates with a confidence of gracious Victorian splendor that is without equal with its iconic red turrets piercing the taut horizontal lines of a California skyline. Built in 1888, this classic beachfront hotel has long been heralded as one of America’s most beautiful beach resorts. Include its stunning beachfront locale and it’s easy to see why The Del has been called “one of the top ten resorts in the world” by USA Today.

Cardiff by the Sea Lodge, Cardiff by the Sea, CA - Review (Coming Soon)
Steps away from the Pacific Ocean and just minutes from all San Diego, California, has to offer, I discovered this charming bed and breakfast about 14 years ago on one of my many business trips to San Diego. Cardiff by the Sea is a quaint, seaside village where people are friendly and the pace is relaxed. You'll love this luxurious bed and breakfast with uniquely decorated guestrooms. Breakfast is served on an ocean-view terrace and you can watch sunsets around an open pit fire ring high on their rooftop. (cardifflodge.com)

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, San Diego, CA - Review (Coming Soon) The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is nestled at the water's edge on beautiful San Diego Bay and has earned its award-winning reputation as one of San Diego's most breathtaking retreats. It's Harbor Island location near downtown San Diego is just minutes from San Diego Zoo & Sea World and the San Diego Airport. I enjoyed an early check-in and warm welcome. I also love the sound of waves crashing ashore on their well-designed website. (sheratonsandiegohotel.com)

Hotel del Sol, San Francisco, CA - Review (Coming Soon)
Hotel Del Sol, part of California's largest boutique hotel collection, is a family-friendly and affordable boutique hotel in the Marina District of San Francisco. A retro motel experience in the heart of San Francisco.

Hilton at Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, CA - Review (Coming Soon)
The Hilton at Fisherman's Wharf is my preferred hotel every time I visit San Francisco on business. It's conveniently located to my San Francisco TV studio, but also has so many great restaurants within walking distance. I also like that it's smaller than the Hilton located in the Financial District which is a little overwhelming with its three towers of hotel rooms.

Hampton Inn, Anaheim, CA - Review (Coming Soon)
Located less than a mile from Disneyland, this hotel offers one bedroom suites with kitchenettes at an affordable rate that includes a complimentary hot breakfast. I loved it.

Doubletree Alana Hotel Waikiki, Honolulu, HI - Review (Coming Soon)
The Doubletree Alana Honolulu Hotel is a boutique hotel in Honolulu, close to the the sands of Waikiki Beach, Hawaii Convention Center and four miles from downtown Honolulu, the business center of Oahu. I really liked that it was a short five minute stroll to the sands of Waikiki Beach and found this Waikiki hotel a perfect balance between business (I was in Honolulu for a shoot) and leisure (and made the most of my free time while I was there). If you find the hotel food too expensive, I absolutely loved Cheeseburger Waikiki located right next door to the hotel. It's open 24/7 and has a reasonably priced menu with lots of healthy options for breakfast, lunch and dinner plus a fun bar with delicious tropical drinks!

JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort, Scottsdale, AZ - Review (Coming Soon)
This desert mountain luxury hotel near Phoenix greets you with an expansive grand lobby, splashing fountains, stunning floor-to-ceiling windows, sparkling waterways and majestic palm-lined pathways. The JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa is pure luxury. I loved my stay at this hotel and and you have to love the adorable bunny rabbits that come out to graze every afternoon in the Marriott's beautiful gardens.

Sheraton Desert Oasis Villas, Scottsdale, AZ - Review (Coming Soon)
For my road trip to Scottsdale, I booked a fantastic one-bedroom villa suite with a kitchenette at a Sheraton Time Share property directly through the hotel for just $100/night including tax at the Sheraton Desert Oasis Villas. Don't miss the 4,500 square foot swimming pool with cascading waterfalls and a private spa grotto.





Worldwide Hotel Reviews

Hotel Ca' d'Oro, Venice, Italy - Review
As European hotels go, Hotel Ca D'Oro is a typical three-star European hotel but less charming than the photos on their website indicate.

Hesperia Carlit, Barcelona, Spain (Coming Soon)
Hesperia Carlit, Hotel in Barcelona. Located in the heart of the Eixample district in Barcelona, the Hesperia Carlit is located close to main tourist sites like La Sagrada Família and Passeig de Gràcia and you can find the metro station Tetuán only 100 yards away.(hesperia.com/hotels/Hesperia-Carlit/#)

Eurostars Gaudi Hotel, Barcelona, Spain
It's website indicates that Eurostars Gaudí is a luxury hotel. The hotel does have comfortable rooms with a tasteful design, a small plasma TV and free Wi-Fi connection. All rooms have private, marble bathrooms with a hydromassage shower. I do think that the hotel is more of an exceptional 3-star rather than a 4-star hotel, especially if you're expecting a certain luxury hotel standard.

Caribe Hilton, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Review
The Caribe Hilton is located on a beautiful beach in San Juan. The most interesting thing about this hotel is that it has a "towel curfew." If you pick up a towel to use at the pool and do not return it by 6pm, they will charge you $10 for the towel even if you return it later. This makes no sense since the pool stays open until 9pm. Bring your beach towels, folks.

Royal Decameron, Montego Bay, Jamaica - Review (Coming Soon)
Royal Decameron Montego Beach is located in the city of Montego Bay, near popular commercial areas and nighttime hot spots.

Breezes Grand (Formerly Grand Lido), Negril, Jamaica (Coming Soon)
Breezes Grand, flagship of the Breezes fleet of Super-Inclusive resorts, commands an impressive stretch of Negril’s breathtaking miles of silver sand on Jamaica’s Southwest shore. The spirit of this world-acclaimed resort (AAA 3-Diamond Award, Conde Nast Travellers Readers Award for Best Resort, Caribbean and Latin America) begins with the lofty marble entrance hall and the gracious welcome of the friendly team members and continues to the luxurious suites on 22 acres of tropical gardens.

Guilin Bravo Hotel, Guilin, China - Review
You will love the Guilin Bravo Hotel and its location near Banyan Lake. I have such fond memories of my stay there with my friend, Sara, who's an ex-pat living in China. The hotel is located at the city center just 1.5km from Guilin Railway Station and 28km from Guilin Liangjiang International Airport. Don't miss getting a traditional Chinese foot massage (aka Foot Knead in Chinglish) in the hotel for about US$10-15 with tip.



Write Your Hotel Review

Have you been on a vacation or business trip and want to share your hotel experience? I'd love for you to share your hotel review here! Since most people scan web pages, include your best thoughts in your first paragraph including the hotel name and location (City/State/Provence/Country). Don't forget to let me know if you would recommend this hotel to a friend - or not? Also, remember to include the most unique feature of the hotel (if there is one) whether it was art deco furnishings, pillows that were so lousy you couldn't sleep a wink or a magnificent concierge (plus his or her name).



Vacation Photos: 10 Tips for Better Travel Photos

Don't forget to record your vacation adventures with photographic evidence of your good times. Your vacation photos are the best souvenir of any trip. I don't know about you, but I used to come back from trips with terrible photos so don't let this happen to you. Check out 10 Tips to Take Better Photos on Vacation. I have advice on not only how to take better photos, but also what's the best camera to buy, too.






Back to Best-Travel-Deals-Tips Home Page





If you'd like to search Best-Travel-Deals-Tips.com for additional travel deals, travel tips, or any travel topic, use the site search below:




Share this page:




twitter-button.net



Avoid Jet Lag

You're packed and ready to go on vacation, so now comes the most important issue at hand: avoiding jet lag when you arrive at your destination. A survey by Conde Naste said that 93% of travelers get jet lag but you don't have to be one of them if you use my tips.
~Marianne Schwab



Book Your Trip

Booking travel online should be quick and easy…not to mention affordable and that's why I like Expedia. Did you know that you can save up to $525 when you book your flight and hotel together at Expedia.com? For the best deals, book 60 days or more before you travel because usually the further out you plan, the better the package rate.
~Marianne Schwab



Top Travel Mistakes to Avoid Now

I have put together a list of the top five travel mistakes people make that translate into paying too much for a vacation no matter where you book your trip (through a travel agent, airline or online).
~Marianne Schwab




Sponsors & Affiliates



Expedia.com!





About Marianne Schwab
TV Travel Show Producer

For over twenty years, TV Travel Show Producer, Marianne Schwab, has been collecting money saving travel tips as a travel producer for high profile television programs. She has flown all over the world and produced live television productions on location from Caesar's Palace on the Vegas Strip to the beautiful island of Oahu. Read more