How we calculate the Verdict Score.
Every score on Verdict is calculated the same way — by gathering real user ratings from multiple trusted sources, weighting them by reliability, and producing a single number you can trust.
We gather ratings from multiple sources
For every hotel, restaurant, or attraction, we pull ratings from Google, TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and other relevant platforms. We look at both the score and the volume of reviews — a high score from 12 people is treated differently to the same score from 12,000.
We weight by reliability
Not all review platforms are equal. We apply weights based on the platform's known reliability, review verification standards, and historical consistency. Google and Booking.com verified reviews carry more weight than unverified sources.
We normalise to a 100-point scale
Different platforms use different scales — stars, percentages, decimal scores. We normalise everything to a consistent 0–100 scale so every Verdict Score is directly comparable across categories and geographies.
We use AI to surface what matters
Our AI reads the sentiment behind reviews — not just the star rating — to identify recurring themes. This is how we generate category breakdowns like Food, Service, Location, and Value, giving you more than just a number.
We update continuously
Verdict Scores are not static. As new reviews come in, scores are recalculated. A place that was great five years ago but has declined recently will reflect that — and vice versa.
No paid placements. Verdict scores cannot be purchased, influenced, or manipulated by venues or third parties. Affiliate links on booking buttons do not affect scores in any way.