Above is a photo of where you should stay. More on that in a minute. Here is the place to avoid at all costs: the Rio Grande Plantation Eco Resort near the El Yunque Rainforest. It sounded so perfect in my 2008 Lonely Planet Guide. "The grounds at this former sugar plantation and mill are immense and picturesque, with a rushing river and tons of birds flying every which way," the guide said.

Boy, were they wrong! But I booked without first consulting Trip Advisor. Big mistake! Had I done so I would see "Don't Stay Here" and "Bizarre/Twilight Zone." Five out of the 6 reviews posted were that negative and they were dead on. The place was abandoned, as if no one had stayed there in 10 years. The rooms were dingy with 1980s furnishings. We were freaked out and canceled our stay there.

Thankfully I had torn out a write-up on the nearby Rainforest Inn of my United in-flight magazine. It was a romantic, secluded getaway with yummy breakfasts featuring foods like guava and cheese-stuffed French toast. The hosts really welcome you into their home. The suites are furnished like comfy Maine cabins. The rainforest views are spectacular (see above) and the coqui frogs serenade you to sleep at night. Finding this place saved our honeymoon from disaster!

Have you ever booked a hotel that turned out to be not quite as expected? What did you do?

(Photo: Laura McCandlish, Sun Photographer)