I usually have a look at the reviews as well.
If there's consistency then likely OK but when you get wild inconsistency and opinion.
I'll steer clear.
Maybe right or maybe wrong but that's how I see it.
The hotel we stayed at in Rome had real rave reviews.
We found the front desk staff most unhelpful, the food very expensive for only average quality and the hotel location far away from anywhere.
Well about 20 minutes walk to the metro station, but when there's a temp of around 40C from a blazing sun and plenty of very busy roads, then that 20 minutes can be hell.