Read hotel reviews beyond the star score.

Set your three non-negotiables first

Write down the things that would genuinely change your stay: quiet sleep, a lift, walkable meals, reliable workspace or a particular room arrangement. A pool should not decide the booking if your real concern is being able to reach dinner easily.

Treat the overall score as a starting point. Scores on different platforms use different scales and populations, so a small numerical gap is not a precise measure of the difference you will feel. Read the content before ranking two properties by a decimal.

Search for patterns, not dramatic stories

Read several recent reviews, including positive, mixed and negative ones. Search for your priorities: noise, cleanliness, stairs, hot water, breakfast or the actual room category. Compare dates and look for the same specific issue appearing independently.

One complaint may describe a one-off experience; a repeated pattern deserves a direct question. A management reply can explain context, but a promise to fix something is not proof that the work has been completed. Look for later guest comments or ask for a current update.

Make sure the photographs match your room

Check the room category, bed configuration, windows, bathroom and view in the booking you are about to buy. The main gallery may show a suite or a renovated wing while your selected category is different.

Use guest photos alongside the property’s own images. For location, check the entrance and a few journeys you will actually make. A short straight-line distance does not tell you about the road, gradient or a difficult crossing.

• Exact room category and occupancy
• Recent comments about your three priorities
• Guest photos of comparable rooms
• Actual routes to meals, transport and activities

Resolve the important uncertainty in writing

Ask one concise question that a property can answer specifically. For example: ‘Does the room category I selected have lift access all the way from reception?’ is more useful than ‘Is your hotel convenient?’ Keep the answer with the booking.

Finally read the cancellation deadline, payment schedule, inclusions and any listed extra charges. A reassuring review cannot change your booked terms. If an essential requirement remains unclear, choose an option that can confirm it rather than hoping on arrival.