OK, I used to do this partly because I could be bothered and secondly because I wanted to run a direct reservations service offering only what I considered to be the best hotels. But what I did was literally turn up at an area I was interested in, research the hotels I most wanted to stay at based on forum and travel guide reports, visit around 3 or 4 of those and look to find 1 or 2 others I had not been inclined to (by reference to guide books, forum reports, etc.) but where they looked good from the outside. I would go in, ask if they had any rooms available, what their rates were and if I could have a look.

One of my best experiences of why this is the best way (believe me, it is a tough choice just picking one time when this paid results) was when I went to Koh Phi Phi. At the time the Lonely Planet described the Holiday Inn so beautifully that I was sure that was the hotel for me. Anyway, took the time to check it and a few others out, and also went by longtail boat to the next bay down to see a hotel called Pee Pee Island Village. It became immediately clear to me the clouts at Lonely Planet had described Pee Pee Island Village but stated it was for the Holiday Inn. I could not believe they got it so wrong (they also had a picture of a girl eating a papaya and saying she was eating a mango, oh well). But what made it even more "funny" were the number of people for years after swearing the Holiday Inn on Phi Phi was better than Pee Pee Island Village (even when you caught them out and showed the could not have been to PPIV because it requires a longtail boat trip).

Pee Pee Island Village then was not getting its fair share of the travel business because of Lonely Planet. When I showed up in May I got low season rates and pay for 4, get 4 free. Now I had only intended to stay 3 nights on Phi Phi in total, but after having stayed just 1 night at PPIV, I asked if I could pay for 3 more and get their extra 4 nights free - no problem. I tell you, I loved that place. And for me this is the very best example for not believing what the magazines and guides say and to go look for yourself.

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There are two categories of travellers, those that experience a country and those that take their home with them wherever they go.

Be warned, as with any forum, picking a fight with the admin guy is not recommended!

My best tool now are the reviews and thoughts of people that have been there. Using web sites as this and making a decision against my own criteria.
I am not an intrepid traveller and I make no apology for that - I used to feel guilty because I wanted a nice hotel and did not want to stay in a chicken coop for 3 bhat a night.
A local market. I mean a real market, not one selling goods to tourists. Also now are supermarkets that stock items that are bought by locals.
Cafes and bars off the beaten track, local transport.
Shop around and look at places then if need be go back to the internet because that is where you sometimes get the better prices, better than walk in at times.
Trust your instincts.

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Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

I read all the reviews I can but you have to be able to read between the lines as well. Forums are great as you can ask questions and as long as those with vested interests are weeded out (sign of a good moderator!!) then you get honest opinions.

You also have to understand what the descriptions of hotels mean although Far East hotels are nowhere near as bad as those in Europe.

Webistes that give you pictures and virtual tours are helpful and I am with Jax on this, I like my comforts as I work my socks off for most of the year and like to know what I am getting. Whilst arriving and searching out the best bungalow is brilliant value for money I do like to know where I am resting my head.

I think that is why I keep going back to Thailand, but am looking at Vietnam and Cambodia, the information available and the real desire of those who have been to pass on their experiences and tips makes it hard to get it wrong.

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Alison

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It's Better to Burn Out than just to Fade Away!

I find photos taken by other travellers, what Tripadvisor calls "candid photos", to be most illuminating. Even with reviews, you need to factor in personal preference, so one person's "charming" is another person's "tack-o-rama", and "rustic" could be "run-down and needs updating". Photos help, especially when it comes to a matter of taste!

would second that

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Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.