Our commitment to excellence
At 10 Stays, our mission is to simplify your search for the
perfect hotel by curating a refined selection of the very best
accommodations in each destination. We believe that where you stay
can make all the difference in your travel experience, which is
why we dedicate ourselves to choosing hotels that meet the highest
standards of quality, comfort, and service. Our selection process
is both rigorous and transparent, ensuring that each hotel
featured on our platform offers an exceptional stay.
To
achieve this, we've developed a set of criteria that each hotel
must meet to be considered for inclusion. These criteria are
designed to assess not just the tangible aspects like location and
amenities, but also the overall experience, atmosphere, and
uniqueness that make a hotel truly stand out. Whether it's a
boutique gem in the heart of a historic city or a luxury retreat
with stunning views, we carefully evaluate each property to ensure
it aligns with our commitment to excellence.
For us,
transparency is key. We want you to understand exactly how and why
a hotel is chosen so that you can book with confidence, knowing
that every recommendation on our site is backed by thorough
research and a deep appreciation for quality.
Our
selection process is structured into five phases, summarized
below.
Before the hotel 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 identify every possible property that could be considered for inclusion. We rely heavily on Google and other digital platforms, with an emphasis on data from Google Maps, since high-end and boutique hotels are not always listed on mainstream booking sites. Our goal is simple: ensure no worthy stay is overlooked in the research phase.
This is our first round of evaluation, driven by experience, taste, and a strong editorial point of view. We remove properties that don't meet our visual, locational, or stylistic standards. This round eliminates the majority of properties - we're looking for something more than just “good.” Hotels that lack charm, aesthetic appeal, or that intangible sense of quality are ruled out here.
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 last quarter to track recent trends, and reviews from the last month to ensure current standards are being upheld. 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.
The final stage brings everything together. Remaining properties are evaluated in depth - both subjectively and objectively - across multiple dimensions, each with its own weighted importance.
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.
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.
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 be recognized, recommended, and rebooked - and that matters.
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.
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. We're looking for properties that go beyond the standard and demonstrate genuine care in crafting the guest experience.
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.
Our commitment to excellence doesn't end once a hotel is featured. We conduct quarterly check-ins, reviewing the most recent guest feedback to ensure each property continues to meet the high standards we stand for. Once a year, we take a deeper look - reassessing all key factors, from service to design - to confirm that the hotel still delivers the remarkable experience that earned its place on 10 Stays. If a property no longer upholds the level of quality we require, we reserve the right to remove it from our platform. This ongoing evaluation ensures our collection remains current and credible.
No bias, no exceptions
It's important to note that no hotel can simply request to be listed on 10 Stays; inclusion is by invitation only, ensuring our recommendations remain unbiased and trustworthy. The process always begins with us. We independently research and evaluate every property in a destination, 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.