Selection Criteria

Last updated November 11, 2026

Our guides list a small number of luxury hotels in each city. This page explains how we choose them.

What we look for

• A strong reputation as a luxury hotel in its destination.
• A location that fits the neighborhood we describe.
• Service and facilities that match the luxury level.
• Guest feedback and recognition from sources we trust.

Rating systems differ

Hotel rating systems are not the same in every country. Some are run by governments. Others are run by private guides or industry groups.

We do not show star ratings on our pages. We do not claim that we have inspected or verified any hotel ourselves.

Boutique and independent hotels

Independent boutique hotels can be included. We look at the quality of the stay, not the size of a hotel group.

How often we review

We review our guides from time to time. Hotels can change, close or reopen. If you see something that needs fixing, please tell us.

Commercial relationships

We earn a commission from some booking links. Commission rates do not decide which hotels we include.

You can read more in our Affiliate Disclosure.