Criteria
How well does this logding reflect its locale?
We look at a place's physical elements: (architecture, interiors and furnishings) as well as the wider context (setting and surroundings). Easy access to local experiences (like fitting restaurants, guides by locals, or forest walks) are all factors too. All are unique elements that tie a place to its locale.
The degree of luxury doesn't matter. They can be 5-star resorts packed with amenities and services, a capsule hotel in the heart of Osaka, a rural hut in Patagonia, or a cross-Sahara journey within a camel caravan. It's ties to it's locale just need to be 'Elementally Authentic'. Here's our best attempt to define what that means:
Cultural
How does this place reflect the local traditions by its physical or historical attributes?
Natural
To what degree is the place created by local material resources that are unique to the area? How does the place enhance or interact with natural rhythms, such as daily or seasonal cycles?
Spiritual
To what degree is this place connected or attuned to realms outside our day-to-day physical world?
As you can see, these factors are intentionally not specific.
It's human to leave room for interpretation, so let's celebrate the humans!