Stay Notes publishes hotel reviews and stay guides for US and Canadian travelers. This page explains how properties are selected, what data we use, and what our reviews are — and are not.
What kind of review this is
Unless a future article is clearly labeled otherwise, Stay Notes reviews are listing-data reviews with editorial analysis. They are not on-site stay reports. We do not claim that an editor visited the hotel, inspected a specific room, or verified live prices in person.
How hotels are selected
Properties enter our publishing queue from the Agoda hotel catalog using a consistent filter, not one-off favors:
- Star rating: Agoda star rating of 4 or higher.
- City rotation: We systematically rotate through destinations US and Canadian travelers search for — including Tokyo, Osaka, Bangkok, Bali, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Hong Kong, Paris, London, Rome, and Barcelona — so coverage is not stuck on a single city.
- Guest score: When ranking candidates in a city, we consider Agoda guest rating averages alongside star rating.
“Best of” and comparison stories use the same star threshold and city cohort. Area guides focus on neighborhoods and who each area is for, then point to listing-backed hotel options.
Data we use
Editorial analysis is grounded in Agoda hotel-profile fields when they are available: hotel name, address, star rating, guest score, number of reviews, overview text, and photos. Facts shown in the on-page hotel strip are attributed to that Agoda profile as of the review date.
We do not invent luxury awards, exact nightly rates, or amenities that are not supported by the listing. If the profile is thin, the article should say what readers still need to verify on the booking site.
What readers should still check
Listing data can change. Live prices, taxes, room availability, cancellation and deposit rules, and in-room condition must be confirmed on Agoda or Booking.com before you pay. Guest scores on Stay Notes are third-party Agoda figures, not Stay Notes ratings.
Independence and affiliate links
Stay Notes may earn a commission if you book through Agoda or Booking.com links. That does not change the price you pay and does not buy a positive review. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Updates and corrections
Each article shows the date it was reviewed. If listing facts or destination advice change materially, we aim to update the piece and refresh that date. If you spot an error, reach us via the About page.