AirBnB is great and all the big hotel shopping sites will turn up high-quality lodging. But I know for a fact that there are amazing places that go unadvertised. I once stayed in a fantastic b&b in the middle of nowhere Colorado that was the best place I ever stayed in my life -- and I only discovered it through word of mouth. How can I find another gem like this? I don't know anyone who lives in the area where I'll be traveling next. I'm willing to stay within 50 miles of my chosen location, so I think that leafing through the phone book might be too specific.