How hotels earn their stars

Most hotels and holiday accommodation can have up to five stars; here’s what you should know about them.

DESPITE a slew of reviews online, it’s not always easy to find a good hotel. Many travellers look to an establishment’s star-rating for guidance, but what do four stars actually mean?

Depending on where you are looking for a place to stay, a star-rating can mean very different things, from high quality and great service to nothing at all.

“Stars are the currency of hotels,” according to Markus Luthe, director at Dehoga, a German association for hotel classification which monitors the criteria according to which stars are awarded.

Particularly, hotels which are not part of a larger brand, apply for the classification to be awarded one or several stars.

In most countries, however, the criteria according to which a hotel is awarded stars differ widely.

In 2009, the European Hotelstars Union, which includes 19 European Union countries, was launched to standardise hotel classification across Europe.

Establishments in Austria, Hungary, Sweden and other participating countries are rated based on the “24/7” criteria, and awarded one to five stars accordingly.

What the stars mean

Hotels earn a lot of points for large rooms and beds, a pool and for offering childcare, for example. If the hotel achieves more points than the star category specifies, it may use the addition “Superior”.

Classified hotels generally need to be clean and well-maintained, and the furniture must be in good working order. But what exactly is the difference between a one-star and a four-star hotel?

✭✩✩✩✩:

Basic amenities, daily cleaning

Hotels with one star offer simple rooms with a shower or bathtub and a toilet. The furniture won’t include more – or less – than the basics: bed, table, chair and wardrobe. But there are a few extras, including Wifi in the room and a TV. In the bathroom, there is a bath towel per person, as well as soap or washing gel. Those who stay in a one-star hotel can also be sure that the room is cleaned daily.

✭✭✩✩✩: Enjoy the breakfast buffet

From two stars onwards, the reception staff must be at least bilingual. There is also a breakfast buffet every morning and your room will be a bit more comfortable. For example, a reading light by the bed and larger storage space for clothes are mandatory. A bath towel and hand towel are also provided for each guest.

✭✭✭✩✩: Medium category with more comfort

Additional services are included at a three-star hotel. The reception must be open 24 hours. Upon request, your luggage will be brought to your room, there’s a laundry service and more pillows are available if you like. The room comes with a suitcase rack, a bedside table and more seating. It also has a telephone, a hairdryer and a dressing mirror.

✭✭✭✭✩: Elevator, hotel bar and minibar

Four-star hotels are required to provide an elevator for their guests, and the lobby is larger, cosier or flows right into a hotel bar. Your room will come with an armchair or a couch and a bedside table as well as a minibar. International channels are available on TV. In addition, you can order from the 24-hour drinks room service or a maxi-bar on the floor. Bathrobe and slippers are available upon request.

✭✭✭✭✭: Top luxury class with room service

Those who book a five-star hotel receive the highest level of comfort. Whether concierge and shuttle services, small welcome gifts in the room and a 24-hour room service for drinks and meals: In these establishments, all your wishes will be fulfilled.

A sun isn’t a star

When booking online, you will sometimes encounter hotels rated with other symbols than stars, ranging from suns to diamonds and dots.

“They have nothing to do with the criteria for awarding stars,” says Luthe, adding that “they may only be used if the awarding body explains what is meant by them.”

Tour operators often conduct their own ratings based on national standards and their own observations. Thus, sometimes hotels rated by the tour operator don’t necessarily fulfil the criteria set by a country’s star classification. – Evelyn Steinbach/dpa

If a hotel has five stars, expect services like a concierge, 24-hour room service and others. — dpa

a hotel is awarded points for each amenity – such as a pool – and service it provides. — Photos: Pexels

two-star hotels must include at least one bedside reading lamp in all its rooms.