What company rates hotels with stars?
Hotel Rates
Seraphim asked:
I was wondering who rated hotels with the stars in the US, for example giving a hotel 5-stars (the most luxurious), 4-stars, and so on. I know AAA rates with diamonds but I can’t find the company that does the ratings with the stars. I want to compare some hotels for an upcoming vacation but I wanted to see how they were rated. Please keep in mind, I’m not talking about where people rate the hotels themselves.
I was wondering who rated hotels with the stars in the US, for example giving a hotel 5-stars (the most luxurious), 4-stars, and so on. I know AAA rates with diamonds but I can’t find the company that does the ratings with the stars. I want to compare some hotels for an upcoming vacation but I wanted to see how they were rated. Please keep in mind, I’m not talking about where people rate the hotels themselves.
If any of y’all can help me, I’d really appreciate it.
Jill
January 3rd, 2009 at 11:19 pm
The simple answer to your question is - there isn’t just 1 organisation that gives an official ’star’ rating. It is the bain of the hotel industry (not just in the US) and can be very confusing to consumers.
These days, most organisations have their own rating system and their own criteria for allocating a star.
Here is an example of different organisations interpretation of a 4 star…
• Expedia: First-class accommodations with an emphasis on hospitality and premium customer service. Highly reliable hotels offering a fine-dining restaurant, a range of amenities, and facilities for the sophisticated traveler; also appropriate for the business traveler.
• Travelocity: These superior properties distinguish themselves with a high level of service and hospitality, as well as a wide variety of amenities and upscale facilities. A well-integrated design, stylized room décor, excellent restaurant facilities, and landscaped grounds are all present. The comfort and convenience of the guest is the staff’s prevailing concern.
• Orbitz: Deluxe/upscale hotels: Find comfort, class and quality that you can count on. These hotels will usually be in a prime location and other amenities may include: proximity to desirable shopping areas and restaurants, valet parking, concierge service, room service, well-equipped fitness centers and state-of-the-art business centers. These properties may be newly constructed or recently renovated, and offer tasteful decor in each room or suite.
• AAA: These establishments are upscale in all areas. Accommodations are progressively more refined and stylish. The physical attributes reflect an obvious enhanced level of quality throughout. The fundamental hallmarks at this level include an extensive array of amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service, and attention to detail.
• Priceline: Four-star hotels will have the following amenities: Remote Control TV with Premium Channels, Telephone with Voicemail, Radio Alarm Clock, Iron and Ironing Board, Hairdryer, Business Services, 24 Hour Front Desk, Restaurant Room Service, Bellman, Concierge, Fitness Center Access
Four-star hotel examples: Hyatt Regency, Hilton, Sheraton, Marriott, Swissotel.
• Hotels.com: Mostly large, formal hotels with smart reception areas, front desk service and bellhop service. The hotels are most often located near other hotels of the same caliber and are usually found near shopping, dining and other major attractions. The level of service is well above average and the rooms are well lit and well furnished. Restaurant dining is usually available and may include more than one choice. Some properties will offer continental breakfast and/or happy hour delicacies. Room service is usually available during most hours. Valet parking and/or garage service is also usually available. Concierge services, fitness centers and one or more pools are often provided.
Typical National Chains: Hyatt, Marriott.
• Hotwire: These hotels are known for their attention to detail. Rooms are well-adorned with high quality linens and furnishings. Upscale hotels are usually newly constructed properties or recently renovated, providing guests with the ultimate in updated facilities. Other amenities may include room service, concierge services, valet parking and fitness centers. These hotels are usually located near popular shopping, fine restaurants and major attractions
Examples: Wyndham, Hilton, Westin.
Sorry if this wasn’ the simple answer you were looking for.
January 4th, 2009 at 8:55 am
There is no standard for ratings. Each “expert” can rate as they like, and there are many companies that purport to give “Stars” or the like. It is completely unofficial, so anyone can rate anything.
There are a few well-known travel guides which are published, and list their recommended favorites for both lodging and food.
Among the most famous are Frommer’s Guides, and Fodor’s Guides, and Baedeker’s, or Access Guides. In Europe there are the Insight CIty Guides, and the Blue Guides, One of the oldest and most respected guides is the French Michelin Guides, who originated the star system with their famous “3-star” restaurants. Others are Egon Ronay, and Zagat’s , and a whole bunch of food guides for the best restaurants worldwide. There are “alternative” guides for young people who like a bit more outdoor travel experiences, like Rough Guide, or the like of Off The Beaten Track, or Rick Steves’ books.You mentioned the AAA guides, and they are fine; don’t forget Mobil Travel Guides.
My suggestion is to visit your local public library, and check out some of these guides, and others. You can determine which guides are easiest to understand, and which may seem to you the least biased. If you don’t live near a big city, you can still visit a good bookstore, like B.Dalton’s, or Borders, or other bookshops, and check out the travel books with recommendations with”stars”, etc.
January 7th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Here is a recent blog entry I made about rating systems
The trouble is that hard as they try, they don’t really help us select hotels. User reviews have a different set of challenges.
So what to do? Well, I’d recommend following editor recommendations you can trust. In the luxury segment of the market, try Perfect Escapes (www.perfectescapes.com) as this is all we do.
Good luck.