I have been thinking about the power of travel reviews – especially as it relates to small, independently-run businesses and when travelling in New Zealand last week, I did what I normally don't – read reviews before making a decision where to stay.

I did it just once because I was going to a place I hadn't been before and I hadn't bothered to ask anybody about it – one of those last minute things.

I honestly find the whole review exercise tiring because you have to plough through so much rubbish. Usually what I do is ask a friend to recommend something – for example, in Berlin, this weekend, I was recommended the Hotel Luise by a local tour operator friend because I wanted to try something different in the German city. Been so many times and always stayed in same old branded properties – thought it was time to check out another scene.

On this New Zealand trip, I was headed for Russell in the Bay of Islands. Sometime before 5pm, I stopped at an Internet café – $3 for 15 minutes access – and I googled "Russell Bay of Islands boutique hotels". (Things shut early in this part of the world so you usually have to do everything before 5pm)

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