Andrew Losowsky

the independent choice

16 September 2005. Inspired by an unexpected mention, with good timing too.

"The argument that we are compromised by charging is nonsense. If there's something we don't like about a property we can hint at it. If the owners aren't the best thing about the hotel then we emphasise the property. Our readers are used to reading between the lines and they like that."

"Before you start screaming "fakers," remember this - it would take years to thoroughly update, eating and sleeping in every entry in a guidebook about a very popular country. Factor in low fees from the less scrupulous publishers and what the paying public gets is hardly definitive."

Fortunately, number eight in the Independent's ten best guidebooks in the world isn't like that at all...

(First edition copies selling out fast, if you haven't already invested)