By Daniel Gaines

"It's all the same once you're asleep."

"A four star hotel and a five star hotel are pretty much the same thing."

I've heard these exclamations from hotel novices before. They think the only difference between a Hilton and a Ritz Carlton is the pretense. The reason for this misconception is a failure to notice the subtle differences between hotels which lead to a massive difference in quality and, analogously, rating.

Over the next few weeks I will be compiling a guide to inform hotel novices what the key ingredients are which make a five-star hotel something incredible. Check back soon!