Methodology

I personally stay at every property I review here for at least two nights. Below, I describe requirements for each Tier and the subjective-objective hybrid style I use to evaluate the properties I visit.

Tiers

  • Glenn Tedja APPROVED (95 - 100): The highest possible tier, limited to 2 properties in a given city and 5 in a country. These properties are virtually unparalleled.

  • S Tier: (85 - 94.9): An exceptional property that must excel in every category.

    • Generally includes brands such as Mandarin Oriental, The Peninsula, and Four Seasons.

  • A Tier: (75 - 84.9): A fantastic property which excels in most categories, or is very well rounded.

    • Generally includes brands such as Rosewood, St. Regis, and Park Hyatt.

  • B Tier: (65 - 74.9): A good property with potential to improve. They pass most categories, but fail some.

    • Generally includes brands such as Fairmont, Conrad, and Andaz.

  • C Tier: (50 - 64.9): An acceptable, below average property with a lot of room for improvement. They fail in most categories.

    • Generally includes brands such as Marriott, Hyatt Regency, and Westin.

  • Unranked properties score below 50. These properties should be avoided. They are below average and have miserably failed in most categories.

  • Avoid properties are specific properties that should avoided at any cost, due to a variety of reasons such as an unsanitary environment, offensive customer service, or dangerous environment.

 Categories and Weights

I evaluate the properties I visit objectively and subjectively. The objective standards are outlined here and a point is awarded if these are met. Combined with the subjective areas, such as “Quality,” a final score is then calculated with the sum of all subjective and objective categories. Weighting is taken into consideration by the amount of points assigned to each category.

The five categories are: Service, Rooms, Facilities, Food, and Location. They are broken into further subcategories for detailed evaluation. I may add extra points when properties have one of a kind features that no other property in the world offers, such as unique views, pools, etc. See below for more information.

  • Service, 30 points possible from:

    • Standards (20 points possible, 2 points each)

      • Arrival (10 points possible)

        • Greeted at entrance every time

        • Doors opened every time

        • Bags taken

        • Refreshments offered

        • Introduced to hotel facilities and room/suite

      • Intimacy (4 points possible)

        • After interaction with staff, do they remember your preferences?

        • After interaction with staff, do they remember and address you by name?

      • Housekeeping (4 points possible)

        • Turndown service

        • Aware of whether or not you’re in the room

      • Concierge desk (2 points)

    • Attitude (10 points possible)

  • Rooms, 25 points possible from:

    • Standards (10 points possible, 1 point each)

      • Entry room larger than 500 square feet

      • Electronic controls for room functionality

      • Separate bathtub

      • Rainfall shower head

      • Reputable brand of amenities

      • Pillow menu

      • Nespresso or equivalent coffee machine

      • Balcony

      • Welcome amenity/amenities

      • Electronic toilet

    • Quality (5 points possible)

    • Views of surrounding area (5 points possible)

    • Cleanliness (5 points possible)

  • Facilities, 20 points possible from:

    • Public space design

      • Lobby (5 points possible)

      • Pool (5 points possible)

      • Other Areas (5 points possible)

    • Quality and Cleanliness (5 points possible)

  • Food, 15 points possible

    • Standards (1 point each)

      • Multiple restaurants

      • At least one prestigious chef owned restaurant

      • Breakfast buffet

      • a la carte option with breakfast

      • Asian, Local, Juice, Pastry, and Western sections in buffet

    • Quality 10 points possible

  • Location, 10 points possible from:

    • Standards for Urban Resorts (3 points possible, 1 point each)

      • Walking distance to a major mall (less than 10 minutes)

      • Walking distance to at least 4 restaurants (less than 5 minutes)

      • Beachfront

    • Standards for Remote Resorts (3 points possible, 1 point each)

      • Beachfront

      • Private beach OR no other resorts within 0.5 miles of resort

      • Complimentary shuttle to nearby points of interests

    • Standards for All Other Properties (3 points possible, 1 point each)

      • Walking distance to a major mall (within one block)

      • Walking distance to at least 4 restaurants (within one block)

      • Walking distance to at least two major attractions (less than 10 minutes)

    • Safety (4 points possible)

    • Walkability of surrounding area (3 points possible)