Dirtiest Hotels of the Year

Although the year is still young, TripAdvisor has already released its list of 2009 Top 10 Dirtiest Hotels. (New York and Florida have the distinction of having more dirty hotels on the USA list than any other state.)

How can you avoid ending up in a dirty hotel?

1. Read How to Judge a Hotel by its Web Site
2. Note the consumer reviews on TripAdvisor
3. Ask to see the room before you check in
4. Not clean enough? Ask to see another room
5. Go elsewhere if it doesn't meet your standard of cleanliness
6. If the room is basically acceptable, call housekeeping and tell them specifically what needs to be cleaned. Expect to call more than once
7. Stay at a better hotel.