Checking out (as opposed to checking out of) hotels
 

Having had a few disappointments when arriving at hotels and finding them not quite what they should be (and that's being kind), I was pleased to stumble across this site (I've linked with the Sandals resort it covers so accurately - wish we had known beforehand) which gives candid opinions on what the places are really like.

I used it to decide the hotel we will stay at next February when we are taking a short winter break in Cuba (sorry to hear Americans still have restrictions on travelling there) at this resort - and will report back in due course.

The site's proved to be pretty good so far - I've tried it for Paris hotels and also Alicante Spain and it had the places I was interested in covered. Both turned out to be accurate appraisals. Takes the stress out of that part of the holiday at least!

If anyone has other sites that offer similar services would be interested to hear about them.

I used that site when booking places for my trip to the CR. They are a little spotty with hostels.

Thanks for that link - I checked it for the hotel I stayed at in Siena (Italy) earlier this year & the reviews were accurate. I've posted one myself to back this up & will consult it next time I travel.