How We Vet Hotels
Our editorial process, explained in full.
The name says it all: every hotel on HotelsVetted has been vetted. That means we don't list everything — we only surface the hotels that pass our multi-step editorial process. Here's exactly how it works.
The Vetting Process
Destination mapping
We start by mapping each destination into distinct neighborhoods and areas — not just city-wide. We identify which areas are best for first-time visitors, which are local favorites, and which should be avoided. This neighborhood intelligence informs every hotel selection that follows.
Candidate identification
We identify candidate hotels across Booking.com, aggregating properties with strong ratings in each destination. We pull a broad list and apply our minimum thresholds: an overall rating of 8.0 or higher, a minimum of 50 verified reviews, and an active listing (no closed or seasonally unavailable properties).
Location scoring
A hotel's location score is weighted heavily in our evaluation. We look at proximity to transit, walkability to key attractions, neighborhood safety, and overall area vibe. A hotel with a lower overall rating but an exceptional location will often rank above a higher-rated hotel in a poor area.
Price tier assignment
We deliberately select across price tiers: typically 2 budget options, 6 mid-range, and 2 premium/luxury. This ensures travelers at every budget level find a recommendation. We don't bias toward higher commission rates — a $50/night guesthouse gets equal editorial consideration as a $500/night boutique hotel.
Review analysis
We read through recent guest reviews (past 12 months) to surface recurring issues. Poor service patterns, maintenance problems, noise issues, or misleading listings are disqualifying. A hotel can have a high aggregate rating but still fail this step if recent reviews show a declining pattern.
Final selection & geographic spread
The final 10 hotels for each destination are selected to provide geographic spread across neighborhoods — we don't cluster all recommendations in one area. The goal is to give travelers a genuine choice that reflects the full character of the destination.
Our Minimum Standards
Every hotel on HotelsVetted must meet all of these criteria. No exceptions.
Rating ≥ 8.0
Minimum 8.0 overall on Booking.com, based on verified guest reviews.
50+ verified reviews
Enough review volume for ratings to be statistically meaningful.
Currently operational
Active listing, currently taking bookings. No permanently closed or uncertain properties.
No paid placements
Hotels cannot pay for inclusion. Selection is purely editorial.
Clean recent review history
No systemic issues in reviews from the past 12 months.
Verified location
Address confirmed against map coordinates. No misleading neighborhood descriptions.
Editorial Independence
HotelsVetted operates on affiliate commissions — we earn when you book through our links. This is how we fund our operations. However, our editorial process is entirely separate from our commercial relationships.
We do not adjust rankings based on commission rates. We do not accept payment for placement. A hotel cannot improve its position by paying us, and a hotel we don't recommend cannot buy its way onto our lists.
Our reputation depends on giving honest recommendations. We'd rather lose affiliate revenue than lose reader trust.
Read our full affiliate disclosure →Content Updates
Hotel quality changes. Neighborhoods evolve. We review and update our destination pages on a rolling basis to keep recommendations current. If you notice outdated information or a hotel that no longer meets our standards, let us know.
Questions About Our Process?
We're transparent about how we work. Get in touch if you have questions.
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