TripAdvisor Identifies the 10 Dirtiest Hotels in the U.S.

Based on Traveler Ratings for Cleanliness; Also 2008 Travelers' Choice Award Winners

. October 14, 2008

NEEDHAM, MA, January 15, 2008. TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel community, today announced the winners of its 2008 Travelers' Choice(R) awards. Three hundred twenty-five hotels were honored in the sixth year of the competition, and hotels received awards in the following categories: Best Luxury, Best Bargains, Best Hidden Gems, Best for Families, Best for Romance, Best Pool, Best Inn & B&B, and Best Service. Four Seasons is recognized as Best Brand for the second straight year. Best All-Inclusive hotels is a new award category this year.

Unlike any other hotel awards programs that survey perhaps thousands of people, TripAdvisor(R) Travelers' Choice(R) winners are based on the millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions about hotels on tripadvisor.com(TM) and content from across the web.

True to TripAdvisor's promise to deliver the whole truth about travel-- the good, the bad, and the ugly -- TripAdvisor has again identified the 10 dirtiest hotels in the U.S., based on traveler ratings for cleanliness.

10 Dirtiest Hotels in the U.S.:

Hotel Carter, New York, New York

Ramada Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls, New York

Nashville - Days Inn Vanderbilt/Music Row, Nashville, Tennessee

Red Carpet Inn, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Regency Inn & Suites, New York, New York

St. Augustine Beachfront Resort, St. Augustine, Florida

Travel Inn Civic/Medical Center, Miami, Florida

Eden Roc Motel, Wildwood, New Jersey

Days Inn Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Pacific Sands Motel, Santa Monica, California

"The Hotel Carter reclaims the top spot on the dirtiest list, and shamelessly, it is their third year in a row at the top two of that list," said Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor. Florida and New York City hotels again litter the dirtiest list, comprising half of the top ten.

"The 2008 Travelers' Choice winners are once again singled out for their great service and extraordinary value," said Perry. "Determined by millions of real travelers, the Travelers' Choice award winners raise the bar for hotels around the world, with their exceptional properties and great staff that enhance the overall travel experience."

The average rate per night for all 325 winners is $302, which includes 166 4- and 5-star hotels. Best Bargains average $132 per night; the average nightly rate for Inns and B&Bs is $148 per night; and Hidden Gems average $155 per night. Nearly one third of the winning hotels have an average nightly rate of less than $150.

Select 2008 Winners:

Best Luxury (4&5 star hotels) in the World - Los Altos De Eros, Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Best Luxury in the U.S. - Signature at MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada

Best Luxury in Europe - The Ritz-Carlton Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Best Bargain in the World - SeaCoast Inn, Hyannis, Massachusetts

Best Bargain in Europe - Arcadia Residence, Prague, Czech Republic

Best Hidden Gem in the World - Golden Well (U Zlate Studne), Prague, Czech Republic

Best for Families in the U.S. - Residence Inn SeaWorld/International Center, Orlando, Florida

Best for Families in Europe - Protur Bonaire Aparthotel, Cala Bona, Spain

Best for Romance in the World - Legends Hotel, Grand Gaube, Mauritius

Best for Romance in the U.S. - Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Island of Hawaii, Hawaii

Best Pool in the U.S. - Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, Poipu, Hawaii