World’s first 7 Star Hotel - Town House

Galleri, Room rate is 3900/nite.It has only 20

rooms. Rather than using a room key, you choose a four-digit PIN that lets you into your
room. It's personal and very civilised nHotel Beijing

Pangu 7 Star Hotel Beijing

What is a Hotel Star Rating?

Hotel star ratings are a ubiquitous guide to determining hotel quality at a glance. However, few
people actually think of the system in terms of a certain number of stars meaning that a given
hotel will definitely have certain features and probably have others. Fewer still realize that, in
some instances, the star rating of a hotel might very well be meaningless. Depending on the
location, a star rating may be based on a national standard, by a travel or hotel association, or by
the hotel itself. However, generally speaking, travelers can expect certain amenities based on
certain ratings.
Standardization
 The star rating system is used to categorize hotels by quality. The system is generally reliable;
however, how and by whom the rating standard is applied varies widely as there is no international
standard and, in some cases (including the United States), no national rating standard. In the latter case,
the rating is by either a private organization (such as AAA does in the United States) or possibly even by
the hotel itself. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Netherlands,
Portugal, Spain and Switzerland have a national system, either because it is mandated by law or
conducted by the national hotel association. In other destinations, including the United States, a hotel star
rating that is not backed by a recognized organization should be treated as dubious.

One- and Two-Star Ratings

 One stars are budget tourist hotels. Their main virtue is that they are clean. Rooms may or may not
have private bathrooms and will only have minimal furnishings. Expect the amenities to be basic or
nonexistent. Two stars are a little better, and many are part of a chain. Rooms will always have a private
bathroom, television and telephone. There may or may not be room service, but there will probably be a
small restaurant at the hotel if the facility is located far from outside food service.

Three- and Four-Star Ratings

 A three-star hotel is a noticeable step up from a two star, with the furnishings showing some quality
and style. Amenities such as room service, a restaurant open for all three meals, pool and basic fitness
room are usually available. The rooms always have access to cable or satellite television The four-star
hotel takes a further step up in terms of decor and enters the realm of top-quality professional service
from the staff. A higher-end restaurant and bar will be a part of the hotel, and valet parking service will be
offered. Many will also have at least some or all of the following: fitness center, spa, pool, lounge and
concierge. Four-star hotel rooms often come with a safe.
Five-Star Rating
 Five-star hotels are the top of the unofficial ratings system as it is usually recognized. The decor
and landscaping will always be superb. Eateries will include at least one restaurant, cafe and bar/lounge--
and usually more than one of each. The availability of 24-hour room service is standard. A spa may
accompany the pool and fitness room. Guest services will include amenities such as treatments and
massages at the spa, laundry and tailoring, valet parking service and a concierge. The rooms will be
furnished with touches such as stocked bar and refrigerator, DVD player and jacuzzi function in the bath
tub.

Five-Plus Ratings

The Burj Al Arab

Hotels billing themselves as six and even seven star hotels can be found, but these designations
are almost always made by the hotel itself and are rarely recognized by any outside authority.
Examples include the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, the Oriental Bangkok, and the Town House Galleria in
Italy. It should be noted that Italian law does not recognized either a six- or seven-star rating,
making the Town House Galleria a perfect example of an unofficial rating bestowed by the hotel
itself. These facilities should be thought of as hotels that deserve a five-plus rating, as they do
generally exceed the five star standards in some or most departments.

Though many rely heavily on star ratings when booking hotels, there is no international standard
system nor even clearly defined parameters. What constitutes a four-star hotel from one site may
differ from that of another site. European hotels generally rank from one to four stars, meaning
that a four-star hotel in London, Ohio, can differ greatly from a four-star hotel in London, England.

What Are the Requirements to Be a Five-Star

Hotel?
By Jennifer Eblin, eHow Contributor

One of the most-asked questions from travelers is about the hotel rating system because they
wonder what makes a five-star hotel better than a two- or three-star hotel. The rating itself depends
on a number of factors including the service and amenities of the hotel.
 Service
1. Service in a five-star hotel is above average. The hotel should offer housekeeping 24 hours a
day, information for guests and discounts on local attractions.
Room Features
2. For a hotel to be rated with five stars, it must have expensive and quality furnishing and
decorations such as 400-count sheets. The rating also requires that in-room video, a CD player or
stereo and a Jacuzzi tub be in the room.
Hotel Amenities
3. The hotel itself should have more than one restaurant at the location and the restaurants are
expected to offer gourmet foods. They're also required to have room service that's open 24 hours a
day.
Staff
4. The staff at a five-star hotel is expected to be the best they can. The hotel should have a
high ratio of staff to guests.
Hotel Features
5. For a five-star rating a hotel needs a concierge, valet parking and a fitness center, health
center or spa. Many of these hotels also offer other services such as a casino, lounge or nightclub

Hotel Ratings Explained

Hotels are not required to use a unified system of classification in ratings. The American
Automobile Association has had a rating system in use since 1963, and AAA's Diamond Rating
will be used for this explanation. Other designations, which may not be standardized, include star
ratings

Five Diamonds
 Five-diamond hotels offer the top level of service, with high-end decor. Valet parking is expected,
bedding is superior, and robes and slippers are the norm. They have multiple dining outlets and spa
services.

Four Diamond
 Four-diamond hotels have upscale decor, triple sheeting, a gift shop, a fitness center and a full-service
restaurant with a separate bar/lounge area. Pools may have food and beverage service.

Three Diamond
 Furniture and carpets in three-diamond establishments are very good quality, with a coordinated
design. A swimming pool and exercise room are expected, as is a wall-mounted hairdryer. These hotels
have a full-service restaurant or food court.
Two Diamond
 Two-diamond hotels have limited recreational options, including a pool and some exercise equipment.
These hotels offer a continental breakfast, if not a restaurant. The rooms have good-quality particleboard
furniture with laminate finish.

One Diamond
 An adequate box spring and mattress and basic, functional furniture are found in hotel rooms
with a one-diamond rating. Towels and soap should be in the bathroom. Neither a pool or
restaurant are required for this rating.

5 Star vs 5 Diamond:  
 
What’s the Difference? E-mail:  info@optimumrating.co
m
.
by Harry Nobles & Cheryl Griggs - November 2004

Mobil has just released its Five Star hotel ratings for 2005;

AAA promptly followed with its 2005 Five
Diamond nominations.  What  is the difference between a
Mobil Five Star rating and the AAA Five Diamond award? 
The more pertinent question might be “Is there a difference?”. 

There are some differences and also some similarities.  Both

lists represent the absolute ultimate in hotel physical facilities,
service, and atmosphere.  Another shared attribute is price;
Five Star and Five Diamond hotels are among the world’s
most expensive accommodations.  Room rates often exceed
$500.00 a night; food, beverages, and other charges are equally
costly.  After all, these are not “overnight stops”; rather they
are destinations for well heeled pleasure seekers and/or
business travelers on a generous expense account.

Both organizations base the ultimate rating on an unscheduled

and anonymous overnight experience and detailed evaluation
of the property.  AAA’s inspection staff is comprised of
approximately 60 full-time “Tourism Editors” who inspect and
rate all AAA approved lodgings.  The Mobil Five Star decision
makers  are a much smaller group and tend to focus on current
Five Star recipients and those with aspirations and potential for
the top rating,  while a field staff visits and inspects the lower
rated properties.

The number of Five Star and Five Diamond rated hotels caught
 our attention; Mobil awarded the top rating to 31 of
approximately 9000 lodgings in the U.S. and Canada.  AAA
evaluated more than 31,000 hotels and rated 85 at the Five
Diamond level.  Of the 85 Five Diamond hotels, Mobil
awarded the Five Star rating to 28.  AAA gave the Five
Diamond rating to 24 of the 31 Mobil Five Star hotels.  What
do these statistics tell us about the two rating organizations?

We can see that despite some differences in methodology and

philosophy, the final results are quite similar. 

Is one award better than the other?   We think not; both awards
recognize the best lodgings in North America and both are
prestigious, prized by the industry, and trusted by the traveling
public.  Neither system is perfect, but they are credible.
Hotels and their Star Ratings - What do they mean?
Save yourself some grief, know what the star system means before you go.
Stars are often used as symbols for classification purposes. They are used by reviewers for
ranking things such as movies, TV shows, restaurants, and hotels. For example, one to five
stars is commonly employed to categorize hotels

Higher star ratings indicate more luxury

The AAA and their affiliated bodies use diamonds instead of stars to express hotel and

restaurant ratings levels.

So you're wandering around Europe and notice stars prominently displayed in front of every hotel. Say you find one
that has three stars. What does it mean?

The short answer is: just about anything, but probably not what you're thinking. Let's get one thing straight, there is
no unified definition of a three-star hotel across Europe. And another thing: most of the ratings are provided by the
government (or in some cases, like Switzerland, by a volunteer organization), and will be a quantitative measure
used to determine the price range (and sometimes the tax obligation) of a hotel. The ranges will overlap, so don't
even look for that much consistency in price; a three star hotel may be more expensive than a four star, even in the
same city. It depends.

You can make generalizations about hotel prices and the star ratings. A four star hotel will indeed cost more than a
one star in the same city. The four star hotel will have more services and amenities, including meeting space for
conferences. The one star will usually be very basic; not all rooms may have bathrooms in them. I usually look for 2
or three star hotels when I'm traveling in big cities. Today, most offer private baths in the (usually smallish) room
and most of the time include television, a phone and occasionally even a mini bar. For a splurge that's often a good
bargain, I'll look for a four star hotel in lest touristy areas, especially when it's hot and I want a day with decent air
conditioning.

Just remember--the ratings on the outside of the building are based on an objective facilities and services
provided assessment and are not in any way related to ambiance, charm or other subjective criteria.
Think government ratings. Guido, a government pencil pusher for his whole life, goes into a hotel with a checklist.
Is there a restaurant? Yes or No. Is there a toilet and shower/bath in every room? Yes or No. In the end there's gonna
be a count of all the yesses that will intimately bestow the hotel with some number of government stars.

Don't expect a qualitative review. Guido is about as likely to rate the ambiance or romantic qualities of the room as I
am to sing Don Giovanni at the Milan Opera house dressed in a garter belt and silk stockings. I can tell you for sure
he's not going to write, "And the wainscoting blends beautifully with the flocked wallpaper in the bathroom,
enhancing the overall impression of the room without calling attention to itself. It is an ideal space in which to read
or contemplate life while the flush of early morning is upon you. 5 stars indeed!"

No, for charm, views, the feel of the place or the friendliness of the staff you'll have to get your ratings elsewhere.
Get yourself a Michelin guide or something similar from our selection of European Guide Books. Those
guys love wainscoting.

Is it hopeless to try to understand the Star System?

Actually, it's not. Understanding some of the star ratings can net you a bargain if you consider the limitations of the
system. For example, there's this little hotel in Italy's Val Camonica that I like. The rooms have everything you may
need: newer bathrooms, television, heat that works. Some have fine views. There's a restaurant downstairs where the
owner's mom cooks. Inquire about the local specialties and you'll be surprised at what she'll go out of her way to
cook for you if you stay long enough to make it worth her while.

The hotel is a one-star hotel so it's pretty cheap to stay there. Unless they drastically change the way the hotel is
configured, they will never get more than a one-star rating. Ever.

I mean it. They could add gold plated bathrooms and wide screen television to every room, have a concierge who
knew everything there was to know, and still, they'd be a one star hotel.

How can this be you ask? Because when you check in you do so in the bar, then, key in hand, you have to go outside
and around the corner and climb a flight of stairs in order to make it to your room, even though the rooms are
located in the same building. You see, a hotel with a reception area that is separate from the entrance used by hotel
guests to get to their rooms is classified as a one star hotel in Italy, according to the owner, and nothing can change
it except for digging out a new stairway or elevator shaft from the reception. And in this case that would cut the size
of the hotel in half.

So despite the fact that the rooms are newly decorated and have all the amenities, he's only able to charge pretty
much the same as a run-down hovel with baths down the hall. That's just the way the system works.

Tip: It is your right to view a room before you commit to staying in it. Ask to do so. If you're looking for a bargain,
don't hesitate to consider one star hotels--just check the room first.