When possible, I try and stay at hotels with defined doormen (as opposed to valets) and make an effort to build a little rapport with them. They typically have

When possible, I try and stay at hotels with defined doormen (as opposed to valets) and make an effort to build a little rapport with them. They typically have been around a while a know the town. That way I can ask questions like "what's the restaurant you go to, not a tourist trap", "where's the best dive bar in this town" or "where's a nice place to take a date" and have high probability of getting a good answer. Good doorman have sent me on may a great adventure over the years.