Luxury hotels

Properties rated five stars. Star ratings are awarded nationally and the criteria differ sharply from one country to the next: five stars in Southeast Asia and five stars in Switzerland describe different buildings at very different prices. The guest score alongside the stars is the better guide to whether a property is actually good.

Before you book, check

• The guest rating as well as the stars. A five-star hotel scoring 7.5 is telling you something.
• What is included beyond the room: breakfast, spa access, airport transfer, club lounge.
• Whether a service charge or city tax is added at check-out, which at this level can be a substantial sum.
• Cancellation terms, which are frequently stricter at the top of the market.

Worth it for: Occasions, long-haul arrivals where the first night matters, and destinations where five stars costs what three stars does at home.