Research and Evaluation Process
Every property we feature is hand-picked by our editorial team of three through a rigorous evaluation process. We research and vet each property, analysing hundreds of data points, so that every recommendation you see has genuinely earned its place on our platform. Inclusion is by invitation only and not available for purchase.
Our commitment to excellence
Most travel platforms give you a thousand options and call it
choice. We work differently. For every destination we cover, our
editorial team independently researches every viable property and
selects the ten that genuinely stand out.
Each property
is assessed across five weighted dimensions: design and aesthetic
identity, what makes it genuinely distinct, where it sits within
its destination, what it offers guests, and what guests
consistently say about it over time. Every score is deliberate,
nothing makes the list on reputation alone.
Our
selection process is structured into six phases, summarised below.
Behind each phase is a small editorial team of three, combining
data-driven analysis with hands-on editorial judgment.
Before the property selection begins, we focus on finding destinations that are truly worth exploring. These can be globally popular cities or regions with a reputation for excellence, which may not have high visitor volumes year-round but attract discerning travelers (think Cote d'Azur in France or Dolomites in Italy). A "destination" to us isn't defined by city limits, it can be a city, a region, or even a whole country. What matters is the presence of accommodation options that are unique, refined, and representative of elevated travel experiences.
Once the destination is chosen, we cast the net as wide as possible, scanning every property that could be considered for inclusion. We cross-reference mainstream booking and recommendation platforms with Google Maps directly, because many of the most interesting high-end and boutique hotels never list on third-party sites at all. Relying on booking platforms alone would mean missing some of the best properties out there. The result is a longlist that can run into the hundreds, depending on the destination. Our goal is simple: ensure no worthy stay is overlooked before evaluation begins.
This is our team's first round of evaluation. We remove properties that don't meet our visual, locational, or stylistic standards. This round eliminates the majority of properties. Hotels that lack charm, aesthetic appeal, or that intangible sense of quality are ruled out here. A property with strong reviews but dated interiors and no coherent aesthetic would not pass this stage, regardless of its ratings.
Properties that pass the first subjective filter then undergo an objective assessment. We gather review data from platforms like Google, Tripadvisor, Booking, and others. We analyze reviews from three key periods: all-time reviews to understand the property's long-term reputation, reviews from the past year to track medium-term trends, and reviews from the last quarter to gauge current standards. This multi-layered approach allows us to identify hotels that maintain high levels of satisfaction and quality over time. We prioritize consistency and excellence. Generally, we expect a minimum of 4.5/5 or 9/10 for a hotel to move forward. Anything less suggests it's not quite at the level we're curating for. A boutique property might score highly on design and character, but if recent reviews reveal a consistent decline in service quality, it will not pass this checkpoint.
Properties that reach this stage are evaluated in depth across multiple dimensions, each with its own weighted importance. Each dimension is scored on a 1 to 10 scale. Each member of our editorial team scores independently and the scores are averaged, ensuring no single perspective dominates the outcome. Public reviews are the exception: that score is calculated directly from review data using the formula described below.
Public reviews25%
Guest reviews are a key component of our evaluation. As mentioned before, we analyze review data across three timeframes. All-time (25% weight), the past year (35%), and the last quarter (40%). To ensure fairness, we also consider the number of reviews in each period, preventing properties from being unfairly favored or penalized due to low review volumes. The weighted average across platforms and timeframes is then normalised to a 1 to 10 scale to produce the final review score for each property.
Design & Aesthetics25%
The visual and stylistic identity of a property is one of the most immediately noticeable and memorable aspects of a guest experience. We assess the overall design quality, architectural style, interior décor, and attention to detail throughout the property. Whether minimalist, rustic, contemporary, or eclectic, we're not looking for one specific aesthetic, we're looking for coherence, character, and originality. A hotel should feel thoughtfully designed, with a visual language that complements its surroundings and enhances the atmosphere. We especially value properties that reflect the character of their destination, places where the design feels rooted in the local culture, landscape, or story. Great design doesn't have to mean luxury; it simply has to feel intentional, elevated, and distinct.
A score of 8 or above requires an immediately distinctive aesthetic identity: something coherent and considered throughout the entire property, not just in the lobby or common areas. A score of 5 to 7 reflects a property that is visually appealing and well-maintained, but lacks a strong or memorable identity. Scores below 5 are reserved for properties that feel dated, inconsistent, or indistinguishable from a generic hotel. A property where the lobby, rooms, and outdoor spaces feel like they belong to the same considered vision scores highly. A hotel where the common areas were recently renovated but the rooms were not would score in the 5 to 7 range.
Unique selling points20%
What sets a hotel apart is often found in the details, the features or qualities that can't be easily replicated. In this part of our evaluation, we look for properties that offer something truly distinctive: it could be a spectacular view, a historic building with a story, a one-of-a-kind spa experience, or even a philosophy of service that goes beyond expectations. We ask: what is this hotel known for? Why do people remember it? The goal is to spotlight accommodations that aren't just great, but memorable - places that leave a lasting impression and offer something guests can't easily find elsewhere. Properties with strong, well-defined selling points are more likely to leave a lasting impression. That is what we are selecting for.
A score of 8 or above requires something genuinely irreplaceable: a building with real history, a view that defines the destination, or a concept that doesn't exist elsewhere. A score of 5 to 7 reflects solid differentiators that other quality hotels could realistically match. Scores below 5 indicate little to no meaningful distinction from comparable properties in the same destination. A converted historic building or a cliffside property with a setting that cannot be replicated scores in the 8 to 10 range. A hotel with a rooftop bar in a city where every hotel has one does not.
Location15%
A hotel's location plays a vital role in shaping the guest experience. We evaluate how well-positioned a property is within its destination, whether it offers proximity to key attractions or immersion in the local culture. Convenience, beauty, and context all matter. A great location isn't just about where the hotel is, but how well it supports the kind of experience travelers seek in that particular place.
A score of 8 or above means the hotel is either ideally positioned for exploring its destination, or intentionally remote in a way that is itself the experience. A score of 5 to 7 reflects a workable location with notable tradeoffs. Scores below 5 are reserved for properties that are inconvenient without compensating advantages.
Amenities & Services15%
Beyond aesthetics and location, what a hotel offers, and how it delivers it, can elevate a stay from good to exceptional. We assess both the range and quality of amenities: thoughtful extras, standout dining, wellness facilities, personalized service, and any distinctive touches that enhance comfort or create memorable moments.
A score of 8 or above reflects a range and quality well above expectation: standout dining, thoughtful service, and facilities that genuinely enhance the stay rather than simply tick boxes. A score of 5 to 7 covers properties with a solid and reliable offering that meets the essentials well. Scores below 5 indicate limited amenities or service below the standard expected at this price point.
A note on sustainability
Sustainability is not part of our scoring criteria. The reason is simple, it is genuinely difficult to independently verify what a hotel is actually doing, and knowing exactly what sustainable practices are in place is not always clear. Rather than score something we cannot fairly assess, we keep it out of the score entirely. What we do instead is surface it transparently, hotels with recognised sustainable practices are marked with a dedicated icon, so that readers who value this can factor it into their own decision.
After scoring each property across all key dimensions, we calculate a weighted final score. The ten highest-scoring hotels are then invited to be featured on 10 Stays. These are the properties that truly rise above the rest, offering remarkable experiences worthy of being part of our curated collection. If fewer than ten properties in a destination genuinely meet our standards, we would rather not feature that destination at all than fill the list with hotels that don't belong. Since our focus is on destinations with a strong concentration of high-quality accommodation, this has not been an issue so far.
Being listed on 10 Stays is not a permanent status, we conduct quarterly check-ins on recent guest feedback, and once a year we run a full reassessment of each property across the same criteria it was originally judged on. If a property no longer meets the standard, it is removed.
No bias, no exceptions
No hotel can request to be listed on 10 Stays. Inclusion is by invitation only. That is what keeps our recommendations unbiased and trustworthy. The process always begins with our team. We independently research and evaluate every property in a destination, assessing hundreds of data points per hotel before any contact is made, following the methodology outlined above. Only the top-scoring accommodations that meet our standards are then contacted and offered the opportunity to be featured on 10 Stays.
No influence over selection
We do not accept payments, incentives, or any form of compensation that could influence our research or evaluation process. Properties are chosen based on merit alone, and inclusion is never guaranteed or available for purchase. Our decisions are independent, and all ratings are based strictly on the criteria we've established.
Equal placement for all listings
Every property featured on 10 Stays is treated equally. We do not offer or allow preferential placement of any kind. On destination overview pages, where all featured properties for a specific destination are displayed, the order is randomized by default and can only be sorted alphabetically by the user, or shuffled again. This ensures a fair and unbiased presentation for all featured stays.
Quality over price category
Our selection skews towards high-end and boutique accommodation, properties that offer a genuinely elevated experience. That is the nature of what we curate. That said, price is never a factor in our decisions, in either direction. Occasionally, a more accessible property earns its place on pure merit, matching or exceeding the design, character, and quality of properties at a significantly higher price point. When that happens, it earns its place on exactly the same terms as everything else.
Being featured
If a property has earned a place in our evaluation and meets our standards, the hotel will receive a direct invitation from our team. There is no application form, no submission process, and no way to request consideration. The process always begins with us, and that is intentional. It is the only way we can guarantee that every hotel on the platform is here on merit.
The invitation
When we reach out, we will share our findings and the terms of being listed on 10 Stays. Once terms are agreed upon, we move into the listing creation phase. This is a collaborative process: we work with the hotel to ensure the property is represented accurately and at its best.
The listing, the images
Hotels have a say in which photos are used to represent their property and which highlights are brought to the foreground. The editorial content, including descriptions, positioning, and all written copy, is produced independently by our team. Hotels may flag factual inaccuracies or request minor corrections, but the editorial position is ours alone.
One standard for all
Every listing on 10 Stays follows the same format. We do not offer enhanced placements, premium templates, or additional features in exchange for any form of payment. All properties are presented through the same interface, ensuring a consistent experience for our readers and a level playing field for every featured hotel.