Updated: 31 July 2026
How we select places at Quietaway
About 10% of places we review make it into Quietaway. For each one we ask: if it rained all weekend, would you still be glad you came? We check photos, satellite maps, reviews and surroundings. We are not a booking platform. We are curators.
This is our internal methodology, published openly. The same criteria underpin our Quietaway vs Booking/Airbnb comparisons.
What we check
Rain-weekend testBest for the core quality sieve for interior and atmosphere
If it rained all weekend, the place still has to feel worth it. Weak photos, cold interiors or “just beds in a cottage” do not pass.
Pros
- Protects against average stays
- Same question for every place
- Cannot be gamed with star ratings alone
Limits
- Subjective in the details
- Takes time per place
- Some fair-weather places fall out
Photos and satellite mapsBest for verifying seclusion and surroundings
We do not take seclusion from the host blurb. We look at garden photos and satellite imagery. “Full seclusion” means no other homes visible from the garden.
Pros
- Verifiable seclusion signal
- Catches dense neighbourhoods
- Matches the real on-site feel
Limits
- Satellite imagery can lag
- Seasonal foliage changes views
- We sometimes confirm with the owner later
Reviews across platformsBest for catching repeated problems
Where a place is listed elsewhere, we read reviews for patterns: dirt, noise, misleading description. One bad review is not enough. A repeated pattern is.
Pros
- Independent signal
- Catches operational issues
- Complements the visual impression
Limits
- New places have little data
- Reviews can be outdated
- Not every place is on big platforms
Attributes and filtersBest for so places are honestly findable
We tag capacity, sauna, dogs, delivery and nearby trips. Some data comes from listings, some we verify with owners over time. Missing does not always mean “no”. Sometimes it means “not confirmed yet”.
Pros
- Filters Booking/Airbnb lack
- Shared taxonomy across the catalog
- Better shortlists than text search
Limits
- Verification takes time
- Some attributes stay temporarily unverified
- Needs upkeep when places change
Why we work this way
- On Booking and Airbnb the platform typically takes 15 to 30% of the booking. Owners usually bake that into the price, so you pay it. With us you pay for selection and direct contacts. We take nothing from the stay, so you save on the booking and we have no reason to push average places.
- We spend more than an hour per place. That is why we grow slower and keep acceptance around 10%.
- We do not book the stay. You find the place with us, then arrange it with the owner. Quietaway commission on the stay is 0%.