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We help travelers choose exceptional stays.
Our reviews are based on first‑hand experience, edited independently, and written to answer a simple question: Would we book this again at the price paid?
Methodology: How we review hotels
What we evaluate (and why)
We focus on aspects that most affect sleep, wellness, service, and overall value:
- Sleep quality — mattress & bedding, blackout, noise levels, layout.
- Wellness — gym equipment, spa/sauna, pools, recovery amenities.
- Service — pre‑arrival comms, check‑in/out, housekeeping consistency, issue resolution.
- Design — lighting, storage, ergonomics, materials, room tech that actually works.
- Dining & bar — breakfast quality, coffee standard, dietary flexibility, signature venue.
- Location & access — neighbourhood feel and practical access.
- Sustainability & impact — practices with guest‑visible outcomes.
- Accessibility — step‑free access, lifts, and in‑room access notes where we can reasonably assess.
How we conduct reviews
- Booking — We prefer to book and pay like any guest. If hosted or discounted, we disclose clearly (see Independence & Disclosure).
- Room type & dates — Each review lists the room/villa type and Last stayed: Month YYYY.
- On‑site checklist. We record:
- Night noise observations, blackout test, water pressure/temperature.
- Wi‑Fi performance (observed up/down), bedside outlets/USB.
- Gym equipment list and spa/sauna functionality.
- Breakfast quality (made‑to‑order vs buffet, coffee standard).
- Photography — We prioritise our own images; PR imagery, if used, is labelled.
- Verification — Names, opening year, room count, and amenity hours are verified with staff or official sources before publication.
- Editing — Every review is edited for clarity, evidence, and conflicts.
Updates & re‑verification
- We aim to re‑verify flagship reviews every 12 months or after major changes (renovation, management).
- Substantive updates add a dated Update note at the end of the article.
Editorial independence & disclosure
Our independence
- We accept no editorial control from hotels, PRs, or partners.
- Coverage is not guaranteed for hosted stays; negative or mixed reviews are possible.
What we disclose (and where)
- Hosted/discounted stays — A plain‑English line appears at the bottom of the article (for example: “Disclaimer: I was a guest at xxxx. My opinions, as always, are solely my own.”).
- Affiliate links — Where present, we include an above‑the‑fold notice (“This article includes affiliate links. See the footer and Affiliate Disclaimer for full details.”). All such links use rel=”sponsored nofollow” and open in a new tab. Partner placements are discreet and clearly labelled Sponsored.
- Sponsored content — Clearly labelled as Sponsored at the top and in the byline. Sponsored pieces follow our standards but do not receive review scores.
Invitations & press trips
- We may attend if the itinerary enables independent evaluation. Participation does not guarantee coverage.
Advertising & partnerships
- Display ads or sponsorships never influence review outcomes.
- We partner only with brands relevant to guest experience (e.g., connectivity on hotel Wi‑Fi, loyalty services). All partner links are labelled and do not affect verdicts.
Press/partnership enquiries and editorial questions: info@universal‑traveller.com
Corrections policy
We value accuracy. If we make a mistake, we fix it and tell you.
What we correct
- Factual errors (names, prices at time of stay, amenity details, distances, opening year).
- Attribution issues (photo credits, quotes).
- Broken or misleading links.
What we update
- Time‑sensitive details (renovations, policy changes) that don’t alter our verdict are treated as Updates rather than Corrections.
How to request a correction
Email info@universal‑traveller.com with:
- The URL of the article.
- The exact passage you believe is incorrect.
- The correction you propose.
- Any source (official page, receipt, email) that supports the change.
Our process & timeline
- Acknowledge within 2 business days.
- Review & verify within 7 business days (complex items may take longer; we’ll keep you posted).
- Publish the fix and add a note at the end of the article:
- Correction (DATE): We fixed a factual error.
- Update (DATE): We added non‑material information (e.g., spa hours).
- Editor’s Note (DATE): A larger change affecting interpretation.
Takedowns & removals
We generally do not remove reviews. In rare cases (legal/privacy concerns), we may temporarily unpublish while investigating.
Corrections and legal: info@universal‑traveller.com