When choosing a hotel for recreation, many first of all pay attention to the rating assigned to a particular place, correlating "star rating" with the quality of services and comfort of living. But often, having spent a vacation in the "five stars", guests are overwhelmed with negative emotions, and after visiting a hotel with a lower rating, they are completely delighted.
Asking why this is happening, we should first figure out why hotels are assigned "stars".
Assignment history
The division of hotels according to the level of comfort and service has always existed - cheap hostels, inns or luxury high-class hotels awaited travelers with different wallet sizes. But with the globalization of tourism, there is an urgent need for an accurate assessment of placements.
So letter designations, numerical and modern "star" ones came into use. But there was no single control organization, so usually each owner set the number of stars at his own discretion. As a result, unpleasant situations continued to occur with disappointed visitors who had unsuccessfully played "roulette" when choosing a hotel or hotel for recreation.
In 1989, the World Tourism Organization (WTO) presented its declaration on standards for evaluating hotels in the world, but not in a legislative manner, but as a recommendation. It included rules on the protection and safety of visitors, on the provision of first aid and sanitary standards, as well as general criteria for awarding institutions a "star" rating.
Modern criteria for assigning stars
Despite the fact that for each country the concept of "guest comfort" is unique, there are currently common average assessment parameters:
One star
The hotel needs to have a reception, a shared telephone and safe boxes for valuables. The rooms must have a bed, a table, sometimes a TV, a towel, soap and daily cleaning. Toilets and showers are often located on the floor, but can be separated into a separate room in the room.
Typically, these hotels are located away from the city center and major attractions. Breakfast is not included in the price, but can be purchased for a fee.
Two stars
Mid-range hotels, also often remote from the cultural center of the city. The rooms have individual bedside reading lamps, the bathroom offers shampoo and shower gel, less often a toothbrush and shaving accessories.
There is internet, the possibility of non-cash payment and small cafes for those wishing to eat on the territory of the hotel.
Three stars
The most common format for foreign guest establishments. They are located near transport stations, which makes it easier for tourists to move around the city from the place of rest.
The room has a refrigerator, hairdryer and minibar, air conditioning. On the territory there are restaurants, a parking lot, an ATM with the possibility of currency exchange, sometimes - beauty salons and a swimming pool.
In addition to daily cleaning, there is a regular change of bed linen (at least twice a week), a daily change of towels and the possibility of ordering washing and ironing.
Four stars
Such hotels are intended for more high-status visitors due to the increased level of service and comfort of guests' stay, located near the city center or on the first lines of the beach area.
Large rooms with all amenities: air conditioning, safe, expensive color TV, refrigerator and minibar. The room is equipped with a fully equipped bathroom with a bidet, bathtub and all bathroom accessories, including a bathrobe and slippers.
On the territory there are bars, restaurants, sports grounds and courts, a cinema, a sauna, an entertainment area, gyms and much more. It is possible to arrange a rental: from bicycles, mopeds to equipment for diving, surfing and other types of seasonal sports.
Five Stars
The highest level of service and comfort of guests' stay. The hotels are located in the center of the cultural part of the city or in the best places of the coastal zone.
Luxurious, often multi-room suites with rich furnishings and design include everything you need for a carefree stay: jacuzzi, bath and separate shower room with a full set of toiletries, gifts and flowers on the day of arrival, daily bed linen change, 24-hour food delivery.
Lots of restaurants with varied cuisine, a network of entertainment complexes, business centers, rental points, a swimming pool, beauty salons and spas. Five-star hotels are often a mini-city in which guests can find everything for a luxurious vacation, stay or work.
The best of the best
Despite the five-point rating system for hotels, there are hotels with a large number of "stars". The level of service in them is several times higher than the average market leaders, as well as the cost of living. For those who are able to afford a heavenly vacation, there are several hotels in the world that only a select few can check into.
Burj Al Arab Sail Hotel, Dubai
It has a 7 * rating, and a night stay in his chambers will cost tens of thousands of dollars. The hotel is a separate island, connected to the land by a bridge of 280 meters, and the "sail" itself rises above the water at 321 m.
Gilding, designer furniture, modern technologies and the opportunity to feel like a true sheikh - all this awaits guests who decide to pay about 100 thousand rubles for a night in the most modest room.
Hotel "President Wilson", Switzerland
A royal suite in this place, consisting of 12 bathrooms, a similar number of bedrooms, several dressing rooms, a personal lift, a gym, and an outdoor terrace with stunning views of the Alps, will cost you about $ 70,000 per night.
Hotel-villa "Lokala Island", Fiji
Ready to pay $ 40,000 for a night on a seven-star island paradise? Then this option is for you.
25 magnificent villas await their guests, pre-selected by the owner of the complex. To visit this place, those who wish must send an electronic application, after considering which they receive (or not) a response with an invitation. Rest in this almost closed luxury hotel will be surrounded by giant coconut trees and exotic representatives of local flora and fauna, because the main part of the island is occupied by jungle and plantations.
