Hotel Quality

[XJ75]

Has anyone come up with a way of finding genuinely good luxury hotels in Europe? The star rating system seems to be largely a waste of time, given that the variation of hotels with a 5-star rating seems to be enormous. My understanding is that the star rating is only really based on hotel facilities and isn't an indication of quality. Even adding in TripAdvisor reviews doesn't seem to help, because a number of 5-star hotels that I consider to be a bit average, get a TripAdvisor score of 4.5+.

Cost seems to be a fairly reliable factor, but it's not always easy to use that as criteria when looking at hotels.

[TownIdiot]

XJ75 said:

Has anyone come up with a way of finding genuinely good luxury hotels in Europe? The star rating system seems to be largely a waste of time, given that the variation of hotels with a 5-star rating seems to be enormous. My understanding is that the star rating is only really based on hotel facilities and isn't an indication of quality. Even adding in TripAdvisor reviews doesn't seem to help, because a number of 5-star hotels that I consider to be a bit average, get a TripAdvisor score of 4.5+.

Cost seems to be a fairly reliable factor, but it's not always easy to use that as criteria when looking at hotels.

It's really not easy, even in the UK

Certain top end "brands" are generally reliable and pretty consistent. So the easiest way is to stick to the brands you know and like.

Otherwise it's a bit trail and error, with some very pleasant surprises and some expensive mistakes.
Personally I prefer a more "boutique" type hotel when abroad, which can make things even more difficult.
I'd only use TripAdvisor to check out the guest photographs rather than the actual reviews. Made that mistake about 10 years ago when we stayed in the number one rated hotel in Venice. Absolutely rubbish and didn't even unpack the case.

[alscar]

Relais & Chateaux guide ?

[gamefreaks]

I read the guest reviews.

I've never been disapointed with a hotel with stonking reviews and never been impressed by one with lukewarm reviews.

Depends on your expectations though. I'm paying £100 a night abd want somewhere clean and pleasent. You may be spending £1k a night and want to be bowled over....

[Countdown]

Tbh I generally assume that the hotel is one-star below it's "official" rating. Sometimes that's overly harsh but I'm never disappointed.

I'd treat TA reviews with a pinch of salt - there are so many 5-star reviews from single-review posters which makes me think they're fake. If you look at the comments from people who have multiple reviews for different hotels they tend to be more authentic / genuine.

[QuartzDad]

Amex FHR is a decent start

https://www.americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/disco...

[Stephanie Plum]

I always use either Sawdays or an upmarket holiday operator eg Mr and Mrs Smith or Kirker when I’m searching for hotels. Then I have a look at the hotel website and generally book direct.

[Ussrcossack]

Look at Br D on here he has done numerous road trips over the years staying a decent digs

This years

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Was a bit more reserved than previous episodes

[XJ75]

Here's a good example. We are looking for a luxury all-inclusive family resort for next summer.

I don't really want to pay Ikos money (~£10k for a week without flights), so we are looking for something the next tier down.

Seen a few people recommend Mitsis Selection hotels and came across this:

https://www.mitsis.com/en/hotels/blue-domes

Looks amazing. 4.8/5 on Google, 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor. Dig into the Tripadvisor reviews and it sounds like it's a bit of a st show.

[Slowboathome]

Great topic. I've just looked at a hotel on the Amex list (which is a helpful guide btw) and nearly 10% of the reviews are 1*.

[XJ75]

Yep agree that Amex list looks like a good starting point.

[TownIdiot]

XJ75 said:

Here's a good example. We are looking for a luxury all-inclusive family resort for next summer.

I don't really want to pay Ikos money (~£10k for a week without flights), so we are looking for something the next tier down.

Seen a few people recommend Mitsis Selection hotels and came across this:

https://www.mitsis.com/en/hotels/blue-domes

Looks amazing. 4.8/5 on Google, 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor. Dig into the Tripadvisor reviews and it sounds like it's a bit of a st show.

Therein lies the problem.

Really top notch hotels are seriously expensive these days.

It is possible to get a "bargain" but more often than not there is a reason they are so much cheaper than the best.

Top notch hotel with the kids in summer? Prepare to be bent right over.

[XJ75]

Surely there's a middle ground though? I've seen 5-star all-inclusive resorts for ~£3k a week compared to Ikos for ~£10k a week. I'm looking for something in between and struggling. We are fortunate that our kids go to an independent school which means they break up a couple of weeks earlier than most schools, that helps bring the cost down a bit, but still struggling to find a hotel in that sweet spot.

[TownIdiot]

XJ75 said:

Surely there's a middle ground though? I've seen 5-star all-inclusive resorts for ~£3k a week compared to Ikos for ~£10k a week. I'm looking for something in between and struggling. We are fortunate that our kids go to an independent school which means they break up a couple of weeks earlier than most schools, that helps bring the cost down a bit, but still struggling to find a hotel in that sweet spot.

Yes and that one is probably in it.
People expecting "Ikos" for a third of the price as it is 5*

(I don't know what Ikos is but presumably it's a renowned top notch hotel)

3000 quid is c.425 a day and realistically that isn't getting you high end 5star in Europe during the high season.

Edited to add : just realised that sounds a bit dismissive - didn't mean it that way. It's just really expensive now.
I'd be looking at renting a house somewhere walking distance from a beach and multiple restaurants and cafes. Preferably with a pool

Edited by TownIdiot on Monday 22 July 15:46

[XJ75]

TownIdiot said:

Yes and that one is probably in it.
People expecting "Ikos" for a third of the price as it is 5*

(I don't know what Ikos is but presumably it's a renowned top notch hotel)

3000 quid is c.425 a day and realistically that isn't getting you high end 5star in Europe during the high season.

I thought that one was in it but when I checked it was actually only £3k for a week, which I was a bit surprised by. Explains some of the recent st reviews.

[Gilmore]

XJ75 said:

Surely there's a middle ground though? I've seen 5-star all-inclusive resorts for ~£3k a week compared to Ikos for ~£10k a week. I'm looking for something in between and struggling. We are fortunate that our kids go to an independent school which means they break up a couple of weeks earlier than most schools, that helps bring the cost down a bit, but still struggling to find a hotel in that sweet spot.

Grecotel Resorts it is then!

[Tom8]

alscar said:

Relais & Chateaux guide ?

This is the way to go. Before children we could choose the right hotel by finding ones with helipads. They were usually pretty good.

[Slowboathome]

Tom8 said:

alscar said:

Relais & Chateaux guide ?

This is the way to go. Before children we could choose the right hotel by finding ones with helipads. They were usually pretty good.

Love that!

[XJ75]

Gilmore said:

Grecotel Resorts it is then!

Yeh I saw LuxME White Palace this morning - looks pretty good.

[poosemon]

alscar said:

Relais & Chateaux guide ?

This - its a pretty heavily vetted guide and expensive to be part of.

I used to work for a R&C hotel, at the time was one of perks being able to stay in another R&C hotel for £50 B&B - however, given other R&C hotels had access to the same scheme, we would actively look after staff from other hotels coming to us (at the time - we were rated as the top hotel and restaurant in the country in hardens/times etc guide) so invariably we had more coming to us. What it meant though was when we visited others we were also looked after and would have good upgrades/full tasting menus with extras at the base prices.

Also, were actively encouraged by the scheme to go and try others so you could recommend the experience to guests etc.

Very fortunate to experience some hotels that now would not have a hope in hell of going to without saving a considerable amount of money for the same experience! Especially as that was pre-children!