How We Use TripAdvisor Ratings When Researching Hotels

4.5 and above
This is our comfort zone. These hotels usually deliver consistently across cleanliness, service, and overall experience. If something is 4.5+, we expect it to be solid.

4.0–4.4
Still very much in play. Some of our best stays fall in this range—especially when the hotel offers strong location, pricing, or benefits through points or credit cards.
We’ve rarely had a bad experience at a 4.0 hotel.

Below 4.0
This is where we slow down. Not an automatic no—but we need to understand why it’s rated lower.
Some 3.5 hotels are perfectly fine. Others… not so much.

This framework helps us move fast without overanalyzing every option.

This is where most people get tripped up.

A lower rating doesn’t automatically mean a bad stay—it usually means misaligned expectations.

A good example is Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, which sits around a 3.5 rating.

On paper, that score would eliminate it for a lot of people. For us, it still works.

Why?

Because we understand the complaints:

• Confusion around fees
• Expectations of a traditional Strip experience
• Comparisons to different types of resorts

We know what it is—and what it isn’t. That makes all the difference.

Las Vegas might be the best example of why ratings alone don’t tell the full story.

Mandalay Bay

Mandalay Bay usually lands in the low-to-mid 4.0 range.

Common complaints:

• Long walks
• Not central on the Strip
• Crowds

But if you care about:

• A great pool complex
• Larger rooms
• Strong value through points or credit card programs

Those “problems” might not matter at all.

The Palazzo (and Venetian)

Palazzo often sits closer to 4.5—but still gets plenty of negative reviews.

Typical complaints:

• Busy casino
• Long check-in lines
• Not “luxury enough” for the price

But in reality, it consistently offers:

• Large suite-style rooms
• Strong dining options
• Excellent value through programs like Fine Hotels & Resorts

This is a perfect example of expectations driving reviews—not necessarily the experience itself.

Here’s something we’ve noticed over and over:

The more expensive the hotel, the harsher the reviews.

Higher-end guests tend to:

• Notice smaller issues
• Be less forgiving
• Expect perfection

So a minor inconvenience—like a delayed check-in—can turn into a much lower review than it probably deserves.

Because of that, we don’t treat a 4.2 or 4.3 at a higher-end hotel as a red flag. In many cases, it’s completely normal.

Hotel del Coronado is a classic case of ratings needing context.

Despite being iconic and highly sought after, it often has a lower-than-expected rating.

Why?

• It’s a historic property, not a modern build
• Some rooms reflect that history
• Premium pricing creates higher expectations

Many lower reviews come from people expecting something it was never meant to be.

When viewed correctly, it’s still an incredible experience—just not for everyone.

The overall score is just the starting point.

Here’s what actually matters more:

Review volume
A 4.3 with thousands of reviews means more than a 4.6 with a small sample size.

Recency
We focus heavily on the last 6–12 months.

Repeat complaints
Patterns matter. One-off issues don’t.

Expectation-driven reviews
We mentally filter out complaints that come from unrealistic expectations.

City ranking
A hotel ranked near the top of its market often tells you more than the raw rating.

One small shortcut we use:

• Hilton often shows TripAdvisor ratings directly in their listings
• For most other brands, we check TripAdvisor separately

It’s a quick extra step that gives a much clearer picture of how a hotel is actually performing.

This is the biggest takeaway.

TripAdvisor ratings help us narrow the list—but they don’t make the final decision.

We also factor in:

• Points and free-night redemptions (see our Points & Rewards Strategy)
• Credit card perks like breakfast, credits, and upgrades
• Location and trip purpose (see Trip Planning in Real Life)
• Our own experience with the brand or property

Sometimes the slightly lower-rated hotel is actually the better overall choice.

Here’s how we keep it simple:

• Aim for 4.5+ when possible
• Be comfortable in the 4.0–4.4 range
• Be cautious below 4.0, but don’t automatically rule it out
• Always add context before making a decision

TripAdvisor is a powerful tool—but only if you use it the right way.

Used this way, it helps you book confidently—without chasing perfection or letting a few harsh reviews ruin a great stay.