WSJ: 10 Things Hotels Won't Tell You

http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/travel/10-things-hotels-wont-tell-you-1299779200078/

Book directly with the hotel and your "chances of getting an upgrade are vastly improved,"

Since most hotels are franchises, individual owners offer the best deals. They're promoted online, via e-mail newsletters and, more recently, through social networking sites like Facebook and Foursquare

Have It Your Way? Puritan Chefs Say No Way

At a pea-sized Lower East Side bistro known for its fries, the admonition is spelled out on a chalkboard: no ketchup. At a popular gastropub in the West Village, customers cannot have the burger with any cheese other than Roquefort...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/05/nyregion/05puritans.html?hp