Who packs this list

A hotel desk with an odd beat

Big casino resorts tend to be written about from the gaming floor outward, as if the bedrooms were an afterthought. Our habit runs in reverse. We start at the pillow and work outward to the pool, the promenade and the town beyond, and by the time we reach the casino the verdict has usually been settled already.

Left out on purpose

• Wagering of any sort. Not a single page lets you stake, spin or enter a prize draw.
• A booking engine. Reservations happen with the hotel, and we never see a cent of them.
• Sponsors. None of the ten resorts, and none of their owners, has a commercial arrangement with this desk.

How a review gets written

Each entry is assembled from the hotel's own published material, from press coverage of its buildings and neighbourhood, and from tracing the destination on a map to see what really sits within walking range. We keep the write-ups tight and end every one by naming the traveller who would enjoy it most. For the reasoning behind the order, read how we rank.

Spotted something stale?

Resorts rebrand, shut wings and rename restaurants with little warning. If you notice a detail here that has drifted out of date, a short message via the contact page is the fastest fix. We check each tip against the hotel's own channels before the entry is edited.