| Undoubtedly, many travelers would benefit if they | | | | bigger or nicer than they really are. The good thing is |
| were able to see real, candid views of their hotels | | | | that if the hotel is in a rather run-down looking part |
| before they actually stayed in them. There is a | | | | of town, that is clear on the overview too. You |
| website that was designed to do just that, TVtrip. | | | | won't surprised to see the hotel location once you |
| This is an independent web site whose sole goal and | | | | get there, you will know about it in advance. |
| purpose is to allow visitors the unique opportunity to | | | | Unfortunately, there is a problem worth mentioning |
| explore hotels before setting foot in them. How do | | | | here. The main problem lies in the limited hotel |
| they plan to achieve this? They send film crews to | | | | coverage of the website. We travel quite regularly, |
| visit the hotels, and take videos of them. That way, | | | | and go to a number of different countries, but the |
| you the traveler can see the area you will be staying | | | | cities that we tend to visit are not included in TVTrip |
| in, and the quality of the room before you book. It | | | | , most likely because they are not common tourist |
| could make all the difference whether you actually | | | | destinations. Only one place we pass through regularly |
| book the hotel or not. | | | | is included, London, and the listings they have are all |
| Since all the hotel videos are taken by professionals, | | | | expensive, high class hotels which are mostly out of |
| they only have a limited number of hotels listed, | | | | my price range. |
| although the listings do cover most major cities, such | | | | If you are someone who visits 'tourist cities' |
| as London and Glasgow in the UK, and Paris, Brussels | | | | frequently, and can afford to stay in more expensive |
| and Amsterdam are included in their European | | | | hotels, then this web site will save you a lot of |
| coverage. | | | | disappointment. If you are faced with a choice |
| The site seems like a great idea. You select where | | | | between an expensive three star hotel, or a cheaper |
| you will be visiting, and they give you a listing of | | | | four star one, and the lack of a swimming pool is not |
| hotels in the area. Choose a hotel that interests you. | | | | important, then TVTrip may help you make an |
| Next, you get a details page which displays a helpful | | | | informed choice based upon the size and quality of |
| map of the area, a detailed description of the hotel, a | | | | the room, instead of taking a gamble based on the |
| list of amenities available, and a complete | | | | hotels own photographs, or trying to guess if the |
| video-breakdown of the hotel. The video would | | | | 'user' reviews on tourist sites are accurate. |
| include an overview, and a look around the different | | | | It is worth checking TVTrip on the off chance that |
| rooms they have available at the hotel you selected. | | | | the hotel you are considering is listed, but until the |
| The site seems to be housed on a good server, the | | | | site expands to cover more hotels we think it is just |
| videos are clear and crisp and buffer very quickly, | | | | a nice idea, and a fun tool. Apparently, they plan to |
| then stream smoothly without any stuttering or | | | | allow visitors to share their own videos, and when |
| pausing. The videos give you a very good indication | | | | that happens, we think it will really take off, and that |
| of the size and quality of the room, and there is no | | | | it will be something that every traveler should consult |
| 'clever camera work' done to make the rooms look | | | | before booking their hotel. |