The Roaming BoomersHelp us Design our Resort Rating System
The Roaming Boomers have visited a fair number of incredible resorts since we launched our enterprise back in February of 2010.
We have devised our own system of culling out which resorts we will visit, and many of them are the best of the best. However, we do find distinct differences in these resorts that we would like to make you aware of, and simply lumping them into our current category called “amazing” isn’t very helpful. Right?
Here is our first stab at developing a system of comparison for each of the resorts we visit:
- Our rating system will follow the common practice of having a five point system. However, we plan to offer our system with 1/2 point increments.
- Both of us will put forth our own individual ratings of the resort.
- Our ratings will fall into eight categories:
- First Impression
- Staff service
- Room Quality
- Food Quality
- Grounds Quality
- Spa Quality
- Room View
- Overall Impression
- From these 16 different ratings, we will then average them all down to a single rating which will be rounded to the nearest hundredth.
- From our previous travels, we will establish a benchmark for each of the categories to determine near perfection. For example, the Jade Mountain Resort possessed the best room view of all of the properties that we have currently visited. Therefore, we will set Jade Mountain’s room view as a “5” and rate all others in comparison. If we find a resort room with a view greater than Jade Mountain’s, then we will change the benchmark.
I suppose our proposed system is flawed in some measure because our visits are subject to the resort’s policies on hosting travel media, and also subject to their availability. For example, a recent Four Seasons Resort put us in a 2,000 sq. ft. suite, while one unnamed hotel put us in a 300 sq. ft. matchbox. From our point of view, our hosts made a business decision where to host us, and this is going to certainly reflect in our impressions of the resort. Unfortunately for the unnamed hotel, I was not happy in the matchbox.
Furthermore, it is our intention, if something is glaringly sticking out, to make a few brief comments. For example, one recent world renowned resort we visited had vinyl shower curtains, and very mediocre products in their bath. Whereas, a good many of our host’s bathrooms contain beautiful marble, glass, and yummy bath products.
As you get to know us, you will understand that we are constantly on the look out for attention to the small things, and continually have our antennae looking for the remarkable.
At the end of the day, we think this all boils down into something called experience. If someone is going to spend a great deal of money to stay in a world renowned resort, the resort had better be able to deliver a mind boggling experience.
Otherwise, we would all just stay in a Motel-6. Right?
So, these are our initial thoughts. Please…give us your feedback!
Input, we need your input!
Leave a comment below.
8 Comments on “Help us Design our Resort Rating System”
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I loved the comment on the matchbox room, but it raises an interesting philosophical point. Who is being more true to their resort, how many 2000 sq ft suites are there compared to the matchbox rooms? Will lead to an interesting situation whereby you give a 5 or a high 4+ room quality score due to that glorious room, and people who book on your recommendation wind up, due to availability or cost considerations in the matchbox. Will they blame you? I'm just saying.
Anyway, I love what you guys are doing, how you suffer in luxury travel to bring the real scoop to those of us who so need the recommendations!
Andy,
Thanks for your reply. You bring up a very good point.
We have found that most “standard” rooms in high end resorts tend to be around 500 sq.ft. This is ample room to be comfortable, have room for a computer workspace, a place to put your suitcases, and not feel cramped.
The aforementioned “matchbox” felt like being buried alive, surrounded by suitcases with no place to put them.
In the specific case of the 2,000 sq. ft. suite, we also toured the standard room and found them to be most lovely.
Nonetheless, I will keep your concerns in the forefront of my mind.
At the end of the day, we hope to earn the trust of our followers. If I smell a concern, I will certainly point it out.
Furthermore, we would more than welcome any questions anyone might have before considering a purchase at any of our visited properties.
Again, I appreciate your courage to speak up. Iron sharpens iron, and you honor us with your concerns.
Kudos to you and Carol for developing a system to rate the properties that you review. Andy points out a valid concern. When I review a property, I request to see a selection of rooms at various price points so that I'm aware of the entire property. (I see in your comments that you did just that when you stayed in the 2,000 sq. ft. suite.) One way to handle this in a review would be to say “The junior suite that we stayed in offered ample room with every convenience. However, on our tour of the property, we noticed that the standard rooms were quite small. If your pocketbook allows, we recommend that you upgrade to the junior suite.”
Also, Lodging Editor, Nancy D. Brown, has recently written a post on writing the perfect lodging review at Travel Writers Exchange. https://www.theroamingboomers.com/help-us-design…. You might find it helpful. I did.
Hi Donna! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. We appreciate it.
BTW, everyone reading this comment should immediately subscribe to Donna's website, My Itchy Travel Feet. Just click on her name just above, and you will be whisked to her website. Her focus is also towards the baby boomer traveler.
Thanks for telling your readers about me. I appreciate it.
I have been this topic considerably more thought, and I wonder if the world needs The Roaming Boomers to provide them with the same information that is available in so many other places on the Internet.
I wonder, perhaps we have our detailed internal metrics, but on our website disclose only 1-5 stars, and then perhaps a “strengths”/weaknesses” section?
Andy’s comment on pricing is also important as that is generally the first thing people ask us. They wonder, “can I afford it”?
What about including a section on Design/style of the resort. Thats one thing I always love.
Hi Victoria!
What would that look like besides the photographs that I include in our articles?