Hotels: Star Rating Systems Explained

If you are planning a vacation or just traveling on the spur of the moment, do not choose a hotel blindly. Use the hotel rating system to help guide you to a place that suits your travel needs the best. Although there are discrepancies in the rating system because it is not governed by any certain entity, you can still use it as a guide in choosing a comfortable place to stay.

The rating system most usually affiliated with hotels is a one to five star system, and although there is not a strict guideline as to what amenities and prices ranges businesses have to meet in order to receive a certain number of stars, the system can help you narrow down your choices of places to stay, and while it is safe to say that one star rated places will be less expensive than four star places across the board, the prices of places that are rated more closely on the spectrum may rival and compete with each other. To get a general idea of what kind of stay you are anticipating in choosing a place, use the following guide.

One star: One star inns are your basic budget friendly simple amenity places that are meant for those who want a place for crash for the night. These places will be equipped with a bed, a shower, a vanity, possibly a hairdryer, and maybe an iron and ironing board. These are the original travel lodges meant for the guest to shower, sleep, and hit the road, and while there is an assumption that one star places are affiliated with less safe areas of a city, the star rating system is meant only to give the consumer a general idea of what to expect upon arrival, and the place indeed can be in a perfectly safe area of a city even next to a ritzy hotel. 

Two star: This will include all the basic amenities of the previously described, but sometimes will include a traditional continental breakfast, and nowadays, some form of free internet access whether it is via wi-fi in all rooms or through an internet café in the lobby.

Three star: This type of lodging is rated with the business traveler in mind. Those landing in a three star joint are going to find kitchenettes, laundry facilities, large work spaces incorporated into the quarters, and perhaps an indoor pool and workout room. 

Four star: These generally higher end places begin to focus less on conveniences, although they will have all of the things you need at hand, and more on services and luxury of the amenities that are provided. High thread count linens, round the clock room service, laundry service rather than just a laundry facility, and dedication to customer service can be found at four and even higher end three star places.

Five star: While some of these places may be competitive in price with four star rated joints, five star places aim to please. It is here and in the four star range that the customer needs to have budgeted tipping into his vacationing/traveling plans. Valet service, shoe shine service, dry cleaning, room service, turn down and champagne service, bell hops, doormen, and butlers can be found here.

Article Tags: Star Rating, Four Star, Star Places

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