The scoring rubric

Scale and scoring rules

• Scale 0–10 in half‑point increments.
• Level Scores are assigned at brand‑standard level — the current documented prototype plus system‑wide programs — never at individual‑property level.
• Anchor first A score is drafted only by citing the written anchor it satisfies. Interpretive flexibility lives in the commentary, never in the anchors.
• Conservative cap When a dimension's decisive sub‑criteria rest mainly on Tier C or D evidence, that dimension cannot score above 7.0 and carries an on‑screen thin‑evidence flag.
• Vintage Every score records the prototype or program vintage it was measured against.
• Versioning Matrix versions are archived, never overwritten. Changes ship in a change log; annual refreshes create new versions.

Evidence tiers

• A Published brand standards, official specifications, franchise and development documents.
• B Official brand media, corporate releases, and named‑source trade reporting of official announcements; official retail product listings of in‑room programs.
• C Corroborated third‑party evidence: aggregator listings, multi‑property sampling, credible reviews. Sample size stated.
• D Inference. Always flagged; triggers the conservative cap when decisive.

Bed weight 0.30

Sub‑criteria: mattress and foundation program · linen package · pillow program · bed platform and surround.

• 9 Current‑generation branded mattress program documented system‑wide (spec or official retail product), layered linen package (triple‑sheet or duvet system, topper), pillow choice standard (four or more pillows, or two firmnesses), stable quiet platform.
• 6 A program exists but the spec is aging, undocumented at mattress level, or unevenly enforced; standard linens; single‑firmness pillows.
• 3 No published program; franchisee‑discretion bedding; flat or thin linen package.

Ambiance weight 0.20

In‑room only. Sub‑criteria (locked): noise isolation · blackout quality · lighting control · climate control · design coherence.

• 9 Documented acoustic measures (insulated demising walls, acoustic headboard or door materials, low‑noise HVAC), full blackout standard, layered lighting with bedside control, quiet responsive climate control, current‑prototype design coherence with high penetration.
• 6 Mixed stock; standard PTAC; blackout curtains with light gaps; adequate lighting; design refresh current but penetration uneven.
• 3 Through‑wall PTAC with hollow doors typical; sheers or gapping drapes; single overhead light; dated mismatched interiors.

Space weight 0.20

Sub‑criteria: standard‑king square footage · layout efficiency and zoning · storage and luggage handling · work and lounge function.

• 9 330 sq ft or more with distinct sleep, work, and luggage zones and documented storage design.
• 6 270–289 sq ft typical, workable zoning.
• 3 Under 240 sq ft, or inefficient layouts that erase usable floor.

Bathroom weight 0.20

Sub‑criteria: wet area (walk‑in versus tub and curtain, fixture spec) · vanity and counter function · fixture quality and water delivery · ventilation and lighting · amenity program.

• 9 Walk‑in glass shower standard in the current prototype, named or branded fixture spec, generous vanity, documented lighting and ventilation upgrades.
• 6 Tub and shower combination with curved rod typical; adequate vanity; program‑level amenities.
• 3 Dated tub units, weak ventilation, cramped vanity, no documented program.

Ideal‑For weight 0.10

Three fit flags, each scored 0–10. The dimension score is the versatility index — the mean of the three. Flags display individually in every video.

• Solo Dedicated work surface and task seating; power at desk and bedside; single‑user bathroom efficiency; king availability.
• Couple King standard; bathroom separation from sleep zone; seating for two; lighting dimmability.
• Family Double‑queen inventory; suite or sofa‑bed availability; floor space for a rollaway or crib; tub availability; connecting rooms.

Flag thresholds: 7.5 and above is Ideal · 5.5–7.4 is Suitable · below 5.5 is Not ideal.

The overall score

Overall = 0.30 · Bed  +  0.20 · Ambiance  +  0.20 · Space  +  0.20 · Bathroom  +  0.10 · Ideal‑For

Sleep is the room's core job and the strongest driver of stay satisfaction, so Bed carries the largest single weight. The three physical‑environment dimensions weight equally. Ideal‑For is a routing layer more than a quality layer, so it carries the smallest weight while its flags do the trip‑type work.

The Consistency flag

Metadata, not a sixth score. Property‑to‑property variance per brand is stated as high, medium, or low consistency, with its basis, in every video. The basis must cite at least two of: prototype or renovation penetration; new‑build versus conversion share; observed sampling variance; supplier or program enforcement evidence. The flag never modifies the overall score. It contextualizes it.

Change log

v2026.1 — 28 July 2026

Instrument as ruled and applied to the Hampton by Hilton / Holiday Inn Express / Fairfield by Marriott adjudication. Rubric text unchanged by those rulings.

v2026.2 — backlog, opened 28 July 2026 not yet in force

1. Sampling‑frame rule. Codify the Space sampling method applied case‑by‑case in v2026.1: minimum sample size, standard‑king definition, source class, deduplication rule, median as the band statistic, the spread‑deduction threshold, and a market‑mix disclosure requirement when urban‑infill share reaches 30% of the sample.
2. Evidence‑currency rule. Define how program vintage decays a tier label, and when a continuity inference must carry the D flag.
3. Comment‑evidence intake rule. Define how viewer‑submitted evidence may be used: a comment is a pointer, never the evidence; admissible artifact classes; routing to the Consistency flag, the anchor queue, or the calendar; a ceiling on the share of any sample that may be comment‑nominated; and re‑pull by Comfortility rather than transcription.

Backlog items take force only when v2026.2 ships with its own change‑log entry. v2026.1 scores are never retro‑edited.

Using this yourself

The anchors are editorial instrument design, published so that viewers can audit them and reuse them. Score your own next room against them. If a Comfortility score does not match what the anchors say, the anchors win — and we want to hear about it.

See the scores