A destination score is a summary of how well a place meets a set of criteria for a couple. It is a starting point for a conversation, not a verdict. This page lists the criteria and says what each one is asking.
You can read more in our methodology and in the decision methods topic. For the table side of this, read reading a honeymoon comparison table fairly.
What do we score?
Each destination is read against the same criteria, so two places can be compared on the same footing.
| Criterion | The question it answers |
|---|---|
| Getting there | How many legs, how long, and how likely are delays from Malaysia? |
| Rest and pace | Can a tired couple settle in without effort? |
| Privacy | How easy is it to find quiet, and how verifiable is that? |
| Food | How workable are halal, vegetarian and other dietary needs? |
| Things to do | Is there enough for a couple who want activity? |
| Budget fit | How far does a total for two go here, compared with similar places? |
| Season risk | How do weather and closures affect the usual travel months? |
How do the weights work?
Weights say how much each criterion counts. A couple who want rest and privacy give those more weight than a couple chasing sights. Our default weights suit a general couple with limited leave.
The destination pages show the default view. You can reweigh the criteria with your own priorities, and the ranking changes with you. We do that by hand when you message us.
How sure are we of each number?
Not every score rests on the same quality of evidence. Getting there and season risk come from published schedules and official sources. Privacy rests on resort answers, which we grade using the tiers described in how we evaluate resort privacy claims.
Where evidence is thin, the page says so, and the score carries less weight in our write-up.
What does a score not claim?
A score has limits. Reading it as more than it is can lead to a poor choice.
- It is not a promise of weather, availability or service on your dates.
- It is not a review of one resort’s room or staff.
- It is not a ranking of which place is “best” for every couple.
- It does not replace the current entry rules, which you must check with the official source.
Who benefits from our scoring?
We earn from some bookings, and this is explained on our disclosure page. The criteria and the evidence tiers are applied the same way whether or not we earn from a place.
How can you use scores well?
Treat them as a shortlist tool. Pick two or three destinations that score well on your top two criteria. Then read the page for each and ask us for a total for two.
If you are unsure of your top two criteria, try the couple priorities chooser.
What should we do next?
- Write your top two criteria from the table.
- Shortlist two or three places that score well on both.
- Read the evidence note on each page.
- Confirm entry rules and seasons with official sources.
- Send us your shortlist, and we will compare them with your weights, as a total for two.