When choosing a holiday destination, we want to be sure of the level of hotel service. We will tell you what determines the star rating of a hotel, what a tourist can expect upon arrival, and what are the features of the classification of hotels by stars in different countries.
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Who sets the star criteria for hotels and assigns stars
The hotel star rating was adopted in 1989 by the World Tourism Organization (WTO). It is noteworthy that the WTO service standards are based on three dozen criteria and are of a recommendatory nature. Hotels are free to choose which level to assign to themselves. Based on this, they pay taxes.
Some deliberately inflate the stars in order to catch a wealthier client. Others downgrade to save on tax payments. If you see the inscription 3 * + in the advertisement of a tour operator, it means that the hotel's stardom is slightly higher than in the usual "three-ruble note" of this country.
Why not look at the hotel's stardom. Selection Tips
Hotel 1 *
The most modest level of service is offered by 1 * hotels. Their motto is "Only the essentials!" Such hotels do not have more than 10 rooms and are located on the outskirts of cities and tourist centers. You can look forward to a small room with a bed, bedside table and chair. There are not many 1 * hotels in the resorts, because one star is rather anti-advertising and is not in great demand.
Hotel 2 *
"Doubles" are a little more comfortable. Rooms are more spacious - over 10 sq. m per guest. In addition to the bed, bedside table and chair, they have wardrobes. A toilet room can be in the room, but more often it is located on the floor.
Hotel 3 *
"Treshki" is one of the most demanded types of housing. Hotels of this level successfully combine good quality of service and reasonable prices. You can count on rooms from 12 sq. m per person, small separate bathroom with shower, air conditioning, refrigerator, TV, comfortable bed and wardrobe.
In the service of hotels from 3 * and above, a daily change of bed linen is provided. There is a bar-cafeteria here, but there may be no restaurant or pool.
Hotel 4 *
"Fours" are comfortable hotels. The infrastructure is better than that of 3 * hotels, and is cheaper than elite "fives". The star criteria for a 4 * hotel is rather vague. Such hotels often occupy not new, renovated buildings. Spacious rooms - at least 13 sq. m per person - equipped with good furniture, but only soap can be put in the bathroom.
There are swimming pools, restaurants, cafes, hairdressers, laundries and gift shops. Linen can be washed both daily and on certain days or for little money.
Hotel 5 *
"Five" is a real luxury. All your desires are fulfilled here - even those that have not yet arisen. Moreover, the service runs around the clock. Guests are greeted, accepted luggage, told about the hotel, escorted to the lobby, and then to the room.
The minimum area of a room in a 5 * hotel is not less than 16 sq. m per person, but usually much more. Tourists use a minibar, refrigerator and air conditioning. The rooms have TVs with a selection of channels, large wardrobes with hangers and wide beds with a comfortable mattress.
All furniture is in perfect condition. The bathroom has a complete set of necessary toiletries and detergents, a hairdryer and a large mirror. In the city "five", where businessmen stay, there are conference rooms.
All luxury hotels have laundries, hairdressers, massage parlors, spas, fashionable restaurants, bars and currency exchange offices. There are definitely swimming pools, and an infrastructure for families with children has been created: a special menu, game rooms and clubs, babysitting services and animators.
Service level in different countries
Requirements for the star rating of hotels in a particular state depend on its wealth, the level of tourist infrastructure and religious characteristics. In Asian and African 4 * and 5 * hotels, the service is high, but there is no such chic, which is met in Europe. The furniture may not be entirely new.
In Thailand and Sri Lanka, an all-inclusive service is rarely served: food is cheap and hotels have a hard time competing with street restaurants and cafes.
What you need to know about the star rating of hotels in Turkey? Turkish 5 * hotels love to meet tourists on the "all inclusive" program, but sometimes they miss other criteria of service accepted in Europe. Roughly the same situation with 4 * and 5 * hotels in Egypt. They offer all inclusive guests, but do not have such a range of drinks as in Turkey.
How are things going with the star rating of hotels in Russia? Elite hotels in large cities fully meet the standards of high-quality European service. However, in the provinces, the situation is different - 4 * and 5 * hotels are more like good European "treshki".
