A Match Made In Hell: Hotel Nightmares

That was not a mint on your pillow or perhaps you spent the night covering your ears because of 'thin walls'- making your courtesy call null and void. Horrible hotels are a living nightmare.

While on a trip with her fiancé, one traveler felt she was stepping out of bliss and relaxation and into a scene Bates Motel. She writes:

"We were all out having a good time one night, but my fiancé decided to head back to the room. Later, when I was walking back up the wooden staircase, I started seeing drops of blood periodically. Weird. So I followed the trail to the elevator and when the elevator door opened I saw a large pool of blood on the floor. It looked liked someone had been stabbed. I didn't want to get into the elevator, of course, so I walked up the stairwell. The trail started again on the third floor and led to another elevator, which also had a pool of blood in it. I was really afraid at this point, and ran back to the room to make sure my fiancé wasn't in trouble."

We've heard the horror stories and don't let them paralyze you with fear. The roach motels, questionably-stained sheets, dated décor, but how do you avoid being the sucker when it comes to your getaway?

Reviews- Word of mouth is still the king of advertising and business. Take into considerations other people's reviews. You can comb out the rants and raves to find great hotels.

2. Recommendations-Ask friends, co-workers who've previously traveled to the destination what they experienced.

3. Research- Everything that glitters isn't gold. It is important as getting your bang for your buck when looking for a hotel; however, your money should be well spent. You shouldn't be cutting the cost on comfort when you aren't in your home. To ensure that, check health violations, see if the hotel is registered with Better Business Bureau.

Trip Advisor actually publishes a review of great destinations and hotels. Here you can gather information, read candid reviews to help you make the right decision for your getaway.

So read does reviews and reports so your dream destination doesn't become a hotel nightmare.