Know before you go - how to find vacation reviews

Finding the resort of your dreams is rather confusing sometimes, to say the least. Trust your travel agent to give you sound advice, but be sure to do your due diligence as well to be sure it will be the perfect vacation for you. One recommendation I have is to read reviews on the Internet. A couple of noteworthy review sites: TripAdvisor.com and DebbiesCaribbeanResortReviews.com. These both have frequent visitors updating the reviews for hundreds of resorts and destinations.

A word of caution: read the reviews with a grain of salt. That's to say that some people have unrealistic expectations prior to their trip, others might have just had a tough experience - unique to them, while others seem to pick on things that wouldn't bother some of us. Read the reviews and hear what the people are actually saying.

Examples -
Language - there are a lot of comments about language barriers in foreign countries. That is generally going to be the case and should not ruin a vacation or result in a poor review of the property.

Food - Also, different people have different food tastes. I read a lot of reviews saying the food at a particular resort or restaurant is great while other reviews say it's terrible. It's all a matter of opinion. Some of the 3 star resorts have ok food while the 4 and 5 stars generally have a little better food. All-inclusives are generally known for pretty good food - not the best gourmet or anything. There are some resorts that do boast great food. When you're reading the reviews, make mental notes on the opinions of the food. If people are getting sick - is it just one or two reviews stating that or is it in almost every review? That may give you an indication of whether it's actually the resort's food, or if someone just had a bad experience. (I always start my days on vacation with an immodium pill just in case).

The rooms - Some resorts have amazing rooms and some are pretty general - it usually depends on the resort rating. If a resort just opened, they might have some growing pains, so it's important to be patient as they work out the kinks. If you are concerned about a few unfinished outlets, or having to call maintenance once or twice, you might consider a resort that has been open for a year or so. If you can live with these and enjoy the other resort amenities, try a new one!

Most resorts have mixed reviews - some people love it and others hate it. So, my advice is to definitely read the reviews and understand what your likes/desires/needs are in comparison to those writing the reviews. This will certainly assist you in making a great vacation choice for you! Of course, contact your travel agent who can give you expert advice as well. If he/she hasn't been to that particular resort, they probably have contacts from suppliers or fellow agents who have.