Usual problem when reading reviews: On Tripadvisor, 28 rate 'excellent'(mostly they liked the view) and 23 rate 'terrible' (said the place needed updating and was dirty. One person prepaid 10 nights and left after 4). Maybe okay to go and sit, but take a packed lunch.
*Gasp* Context matters, you say? How could anyone possibly expect me to be bothered to actually read reviews to see if the positive or negative criticism lines up with what I'm looking for in an establishment? Ridiculous!
I think most people read reviews of hotels, resorts, hospitals. phones, laptops ... the list could be endless. It avoids prepaying for something which turns out to be hopeless. It is not a panacea, just a guide. Otherwise, we often go by what IT looks like from the outside. Btw, don't members here often write reviews of restaurants and others chip in? I would not call that ridiculous, but a useful guide.
The city council must be staying in their houses all the time also.. The beach in front of my house has at least 50 people on it any day of the week lately.. a few more isn't going to hurt..