If my hotel isn't what I expect, can I check out and get a refund?

Yes, but not always. Here's how to get your money back if you don't like your accommodations.

Illustration by Christopher Elliott

From the moment she arrived at her hotel in Costa Rica's Drake Bay, Janice Lintz suspected she'd made a mistake.

The building was crumbling and looked nothing like the property description online. It was a long drive from the nearest town, not a quick trip as the promotional language promised. Her cab driver insisted on…