Originally Posted by MicSanToro

If you are a CN Traveler reader who takes a vacation every two years and you choose to go to a resort in the Caribbean (for this example, let's pick a Sandals!), you will likely think it is the best thing ever and proceed to go give it a perfect rating for the Readers Choice Awards. You don't have much but your last vacation two years ago to compare it to. If you are someone who travels frequently, staying at the worlds top resorts, you have a broader view of what constitutes a spectacular resort. Let's say you, the more experienced traveler, have stayed at the same Sandals as the first person but have also vacationed to Laucala Island and The Brando. Now, the latter two resorts will set your upper bar and you'll view Sandals as a mediocre/packaged luxury resort.

If you aren't an experienced traveler, you will be wowed by far more and proceed to rate everything 4 or 5 stars. If you are experienced, you have enough of a data set to accurately rate hotels/resorts/restaurants etc.