{"id":81911,"date":"2023-05-05T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-05T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.www.smartertravel.com\/2009\/07\/09\/what-do-those-hotel-star-ratings-really-mean\/"},"modified":"2023-05-05T11:21:47","modified_gmt":"2023-05-05T15:21:47","slug":"hotel-star-ratings-what-do-they-mean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/hotel-star-ratings-what-do-they-mean\/","title":{"rendered":"What Do Hotel Star Ratings Really Mean?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A Five star rating has become shorthand for luxury\u2014but what exactly does that rating mean when it comes to hotels? Why is the same property four stars on one hotel search site and three stars on another?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no one organization in the United States that hands out definitive star rankings to hotels. Instead, individual hotel booking sites and other groups use their own rating system to categorize properties to help travelers know what to expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thapana_Studio | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Expedia<\/a>, which is part of the same corporation that owns many hotel booking sites such as Hotels.com and Booking.com, is one of the few sites to publish their methodology for star rankings\u2014making it a good general reference point for figuring out what hotel star ratings really mean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expedia Hotel Star Ratings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Star Rating<\/strong><\/th>\nWhat Expedia Says to Expect<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr><\/thead>\n
One-star<\/td>\nBasic motels, hostels, and hostels
No-frills accommodations
Daily housekeeping and 24\/7 reception may not be available
Rooms may not have private bathrooms, TVs, or phones<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Two-star<\/td>\nSimple, but clean budget accommodations
24-hour reception
Daily housekeeping service
Rooms with private bathrooms
Generally no on-site dining aside from Continental breakfast<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Three-star<\/td>\nOn-site restaurant and bar
Baggage assistance available
More spacious guest rooms with comfortable seating and good quality bedding
Larger bathrooms with shower\/tub combinations\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Four-star<\/td>\nLarger lobbies with common space available
Concierge service
Valet parking
Turndown service
24-hour room service
Rooms with large beds, extra seating, minibars, safes, pillowtop mattresses, bathrobes
Upscale toiletries provided
Resorts feature spas, tennis courts, poolside food service\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Five-star<\/td>\nFine dining on-site
Luxury spa
Full-service health clubs
Well-trained staff
Welcome amenities
Butler service available
Elegant guestroom decor
Oversized bathrooms with premium features
Electronic features in-rooms such as remote-controlled shades
Resorts feature golf courses, tennis courts with a variety of playing surfaces, health clubs with personal trainers, and luxurious spas<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n
\n

Related:<\/h3>\n

The 15 Best Hotel Booking Sites<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\"A
davit85 | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Forbes Travel Guide Star Ratings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking to treat yourself to an upscale hotel stay, check Forbes Travel Guide<\/a>. The publication only evaluates luxury properties, and only issues stars to hotels that meet their high quality standards. Only the best hotels will receive stars\u2014anything below four stars that still meets the criteria to be included in the guide simply earns a \u201crecommended\u201d rating.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike other star rating systems, Forbes Travel Guide places a high emphasis on service, saying, \u201cSeventy percent of a property\u2019s rating relies on its service\u2014with a more exacting look at the guest experience as a new service metric for 2023\u2014while the remaining 30 percent accounts for the quality and condition of its facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To evaluate hotels Forbes Travel Guide sends in inspectors who \u201ctest up to 900 rigorous standards, from modern-day luxuries\u2014such as whether a room is set up to enhance sleep quality or whether the food-and-beverage choices support a guest\u2019s well-being\u2014to more traditional elements, such as the d\u00e9cor and the attention the staff pays to a guest.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n
Star Rating<\/strong><\/th>\nWhat Forbes Travel Guide Says to Expect<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr><\/thead>\n
Five Star<\/td>\nOutstanding, iconic properties with nearly flawless service.\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Four Star<\/td>\nExceptional properties with high levels of service.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Recommended<\/td>\nExcellent properties with consistently good service.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n
\n

Related:<\/h3>\n

5 Hotel Amenities That Can Save You Money<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

AAA Hotel Diamond Ratings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The American Automobile Association (AAA) owns another popular hotel ranking system. Instead of stars, AAA<\/a> uses diamonds to rate hotels, and ratings are refreshed yearly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AAA Executive Director of Travel Stacey Barber tells SmarterTravel, \u201cEach year, AAA Inspectors visit over 25,000 hotels in our portfolio, in person. We pride ourselves on giving travelers only current assessment and first-hand information about the hotels we designate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to make sure you\u2019re booking a truly luxurious hotel, look for the AAA Five Diamond rating\u2014according to Barber, only 0.5 percent of properties inspected earn that coveted ranking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how AAA explains its ratings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Star Rating<\/strong><\/th>\nWhat AAA Says to Expect<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr><\/thead>\n
One Diamond<\/td>\nA bed, a pillow, and a bargain.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Two Diamonds<\/td>\nA familiar, casual, affordable setting.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Three Diamonds<\/td>\nThe comforts of home, minus the effort.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Four Diamonds<\/td>\nSplurge-worthy properties for special occasions.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Five Diamonds<\/td>\nThe crown jewel.\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Over
Song_about_summer | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

International Hotel Star Ratings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hotel star rankings are not standardized across the world. In Europe, 20 countries utilize the Hotelstars Union rating system<\/a>. This group aims to classify hotels with common criteria so it\u2019s easy to tell exactly what each star rating means.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The countries that participate in this rating system are: Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

Related:<\/h3>\n

10 Free Things You Can Get at Airports<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

European Hotelstars Union Rating System<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Star Rating<\/strong><\/th>\nWhat European Hotelstars Union Says to Expect<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr><\/thead>\n
One-star<\/td>\nAll rooms feature ensuite bathrooms
Daily room cleaning offered
TVs and WiFi in all rooms
Table and chair in all rooms
Soap\/body wash and bath towels provided
Toiletries available on request
Reception service
Cashless payment available
Extended breakfast offered<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Two-star<\/td>\nBreakfast buffet
Bedside reading light\u00a0
Body wash or shower gel
Linen shelves
Bath and hand towels
Bilingual staff
Sewing kit and shoe polish utensils available<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Three-star<\/td>\nIn-person reception available at least 10 hours per day; remote reception available 24\/7
Common lounge area
Luggage service available
Drinks available in-room
Hair dryer and mirror in-room
Luggage racks
Laundry and ironing service available
Extra pillows and blankets available
Complaint management system in place<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Four-star<\/td>\nIn-person reception available at least 10 hours per day; remote reception available 24\/7
Hotel bar or lounge area\u00a0
Breakfast buffet with service or seated breakfast
Minibar\/room service available\u00a0
Armchair or couch and side table in all rooms
Bathrobes and slippers available
Amenity kit (shower cap, nail file, etc.)
Vanity mirror in bathroom
International TV channels<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Five-star<\/td>\n24\/7 reception service
Valet parking\u00a0
Concierge
Shuttle or limousine service
Personalized in-room greeting for each guest\u00a0
Minbar and room service available 24 hours
In-room safe
Ironing, shoe polish, and sewing service available
Turndown service<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Want to find five star hotels for cheap? Check out our sister site, SmarterTravel Hotels<\/a>, for big savings even on luxury properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\t

\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"SmarterTravel\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

Book Now<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As there seems to be no one-size-fits-all measurement to rate a hotel’s value, amenities, and potential for customer satisfaction, I set out to decipher the star rating system.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3257,"featured_media":449030,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"stpt_category":2206,"stpt_post_tag":0,"stpt_st_article_types":2892,"stpt_st_travel_types":0,"stpt_st_campaign":0,"stpt_st_providers":0,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":false,"apple_news_is_preview":false,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"middle","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":"[\"https:\\\/\\\/news-api.apple.com\\\/sections\\\/ef387a4f-36f7-4c29-8f80-3dad3afa70f7\"]","apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false},"categories":[2206,3727,2249,2251],"tags":[185914],"smartertravel_exclude_from":[],"st_article_types":[2892],"st_travel_types":[2194],"st_providers":[],"audience-tags":[185503,185411],"destination":[],"departure":[],"all_publish_dates":["2009-07-09","2023-05-05"],"apple_news_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/AdobeStock_479238759.jpeg","yoast_head":"\nWhat Do Hotel Star Ratings Really Mean? | SmarterTravel<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A Five star rating has become shorthand for luxury\u2014but what exactly does that rating mean when it comes to hotels? 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