Perceived Space Quotient™

The Perceived Space Quotient™ (PSQ™) is a proprietary assessment methodology developed by Luxury Hotel Brokers to evaluate one of the most important yet least measured aspects of luxury hospitality:

How spacious a hospitality environment feels, regardless of its physical dimensions.

Traditional hotel comparisons frequently focus on floor area, room size, or suite classification. These measurements alone do not determine the guest’s spatial experience. Two rooms with identical physical dimensions may create dramatically different impressions. One may feel open, calm, intuitive, and luxurious. The other may feel confined, cluttered, or inefficient. PSQ™ was developed to assess this difference. The methodology examines the relationship between physical space, architecture, interior design, functionality, movement, and human perception. It produces a standardised score intended to support meaningful comparison across luxury hospitality environments.

Luxury Hotel Brokers believes that exceptional hospitality is not measured solely by square footage. It is measured by experience. PSQ™ exists to evaluate the spatial experience created through architecture, interior design, engineering, lighting, planning, furnishing, and operational consideration.

“Luxury is not simply having more space. Luxury is making every space feel extraordinary.”

The framework awards a maximum of 100 points across seven weighted categories.

Each PSQ™ assessment is conducted using the published Luxury Hotel Brokers methodology. Depending on the property and availability of evidence, an assessment may consider:

• Verified architectural documentation
• Floor plans
• Room measurements
• Professional photography
• Video walkthroughs
• Site observations
• Independent editorial observations
• Operator or ownership documentation
• Comparative hospitality benchmarks

Where an assessment has not included an in-person inspection, the published result must state this clearly. Luxury Hotel Brokers may revise an assessment when additional verified information becomes available.

PSQ™ assessments must distinguish documented fact from professional judgement. Every published assessment should identify:

• The environment assessed
• The date of assessment
• The evidence reviewed
• Whether a site visit occurred
• The methodology version used
• The assessor or editorial reviewer
• Any material limitations
• Any subsequent revision

A PSQ™ score must not be purchased, sponsored, or altered in exchange for commercial consideration. Commercial relationships must not determine the outcome of an assessment.

See also the Institution's Register of Interests, Editorial Standards, Corrections and Research Standards.

PSQ™ may be applied to:

• Guest rooms
• Suites
• Villas
• Branded residences
• Cruise accommodation
• Luxury rail accommodation
• Airport lounges
• Hotel public areas
• Spa and wellness environments
• Hospitality workspaces
• Other defined hospitality environments

Scores should only be compared across equivalent or clearly identified environment categories. A hotel lobby score, for example, should not be treated as directly equivalent to a guest-room score.

PSQ™ is intended to evolve through continuing research, assessment experience, comparative analysis, and professional review. Luxury Hotel Brokers may refine category definitions, evidence requirements, weighting, scoring guidance, or classification thresholds as the methodology develops.

All substantive methodology revisions must:

• Receive a new version number
• Retain an archived copy of the preceding version
• Identify the effective date
• Summarise the changes made
• State whether existing assessments require reassessment

Perceived Space Quotient™, PSQ™, the associated scoring framework, classifications, assessment structure, methodology language, and published assessment format are proprietary intellectual property of Luxury Hotel Brokers. All rights reserved. Use of the term PSQ™ or reproduction of the methodology must not imply endorsement, accreditation, licensing, or affiliation with Luxury Hotel Brokers unless expressly authorised in writing.

Luxury Hotel Brokers is an independent global institution dedicated to advancing the luxury hospitality industry through intelligence, strategic advisory services, investment brokerage, and original research.

The institution develops independent methodologies, publishes institutional research, and creates enduring standards intended to improve decision-making throughout the global luxury hospitality sector.