How to compare three resorts without a spreadsheet
You have three resorts in mind and too many tabs open, and no wish to build a spreadsheet.
To compare three resorts without a spreadsheet, write three columns on paper or in a notes app. Give each resort one of three marks on each line, then run one elimination round.
The marks are a tick for meets my need, a question mark for not answered, and a cross for a deal-breaker. You can finish in one evening.
This method suits people who want to decide, not to build a model. Our hub guide on how to choose an island resort gives the four decisions that come first. The resort inclusion comparator is available if you later want a tidier layout.
What are the three columns and three marks?
Write the resort names as column headings and list your lines down the side. Use only three marks, so you never get lost in scores.
| Line | Resort A | Resort B | Resort C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room fits our group | |||
| Meals suit us | |||
| Boat and jetty fit our start | |||
| Dates and season fit | |||
| Fees are clear | |||
| Cancellation is clear |
Fill each cell with a tick, a question mark or a cross. A question mark is not a failure. It is a question you still need to send.
How do you choose the lines?
Choose six lines, no more, and sort them into three groups before you fill the table:
- Must-haves: things the trip fails without, such as a room for four.
- Nice-to-haves: things that would please you, such as a sea view.
- Deal-breakers: things you refuse, such as a long walk with a toddler.
Put must-haves and deal-breakers in the table first. A cross on a must-have or a tick against a deal-breaker removes that resort for now. Nice-to-haves come in only to break a tie.
How does the elimination round work?
The elimination round takes two passes, and it usually leaves one or two resorts.
- Remove any resort with a cross on a must-have.
- Look at the question marks that remain, and send one message to each resort with exactly those questions.
- When replies arrive, replace the question marks with ticks or crosses.
- Remove any resort that now has a cross on a must-have.
- If two remain, compare the nice-to-haves and the cancellation terms.
The practical point: a resort with many question marks and a slow reply is telling you something. A clear reply that costs a little more is often the calmer choice.
How do you handle a tie?
A tie means you need one more fact, not more columns. Pick the single question that would matter most on the trip, such as the exact room photo, the walk from the jetty or the rough-sea rule. Send that to both tied resorts.
If the replies are equal, choose the one with the more flexible terms. Our guide on comparing cancellation terms shows how to read them. If the three are on different islands, first read what to normalise across two islands.
A better fit if…
The paper method may be a better fit if:
- you want a decision in one evening without building a model.
- you have three resorts and not ten.
- you can send one set of questions to all three.
A more detailed comparison may be a better fit if:
- the trip is large, with several rooms and a mixed-age group.
- the quotations differ in meals, boat and fees.
- you want to test totals with your own numbers in our island trip cost calculator.
What is the next step?
Draw the table, fill what you already know and list the question marks. Send that one list to all three resorts.
When the replies are in, finish the table and see who is left. For two resorts on one island, the guide on comparing two resorts on the same island fairly goes deeper.
Common questions
Why compare only three resorts?
Three is the number you can hold in your head and still compare fairly. More than that, and details blur, so each resort gets less attention. If you have more, use the must-haves to cut the list down to three first.
What if the three are on different islands?
Bring them to the same footing first. Match the dates, the people, the meals and the boat. Our guide on comparing across two islands lists what to normalise. After that, the same three-column method works.
How do I handle a tie?
Ask each tied resort one more question that matters to you, such as the exact room photo or the rough-sea rule. The clearer written reply usually breaks the tie. If they are still level, choose the one with the more flexible terms.
Do I need a tool to do this?
No. Paper, a notes app or a message to yourself is enough. If you want a tidier layout once you have two quotations, the resort inclusion comparator lays the lines out for you, but it is optional.