How many stars

[JEK]

[cec1]

I’d be interested to know the criteria that determine ranking . . . and the definition of “hotel establishment.”

[phil62]

I’d be interested to know the criteria that determine ranking . . . and the definition of “hotel establishment.”

It sounds to me like the Hotels determine the number of stars they want, but sometimes these details get a bit tangled in translation.

Phil

[JEK]

European Hotelstars Union[edit]

The HOTREC (Hotels, Restaurants & Cafés in Europe) is an umbrella organization for 39 associations from 24 European countries. At a conference in Bergen in 2004, the partners drafted a hotel classification system in order to harmonize their national standards. In 2007 HOTREC launched the European Hospitality Quality scheme (EHQ) which has since accredited the existing national inspection bodies for hotel rating.
Under the patronage of HOTREC, the hotel associations of Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland created the Hotelstars Union.^[17] On 14 September 2009, the Hotelstars Union classification system was established at a conference in Prague. This system became effective in these countries in January 2010, with the exception of Hungary, Switzerland and the Netherlands, who have chosen later dates for the change. Later more countries have joined the HOTREC hotelstars system: Estonia (2011), Latvia (2011), Lithuania (2011), Luxembourg (2011), Malta (2012), Belgium (2013), Denmark (2013), Greece (2013), Liechtenstein (2015), Slovenia (2017), Azerbaijan (2020) and Georgia (2021).^[18]
The European Hotelstars Union system is based on the earlier German hotelstars system that had widely influenced the hotel classifications in central Europe, with five stars and a Superior mark to flag extras. Instead of a strict minimum in room size and required shower facilities (e.g. a bath tub in a four-star hotel) there is a catalogue of criteria with 7 qualification areas encompassing 247 elements, where some are mandatory for a star and others optional. The main criteria are in quality management, wellness and sleeping accommodation. In the catalogue of criteria each entry is associated with a number of points – each Hotelstars level requires a minimal sum of points besides some criteria being obligatory for the level. The minimum requirement for the Superior flag requires the same sum of points as for the next Hotelstars level which however was not awarded due to at least one obligatory requirement being left out.^[19]
For hotels with three to five stars, the Hotelstars Union will use "mystery guests" to check the service quality regularly.

Hotelstar		Mandatory criteria [20]
	Tourist	Reception service Cashless payment Extended breakfast Beverage offer in the hotel Deposit possibility 100% of the rooms with shower/WC or bath tub/WC Daily room cleaning 100% of the rooms with colour-TV together with remote control WiFi Internet access both in the rooms and in the public areas Table and chair Soap or body wash Bath towels Offer of sanitary products (e.g. toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving kit)
	Superior Tourist	The Superior flag is provided when the additional service and accommodation provisions are not sufficient for the next Hotelstar. The bathroom facilities are usually at the same level as for two stars hotels but built from cheaper materials. The cost for regular inspection by independent associations is waived as well.
	Standard	In addition to the single star (★) hotels: Bilingual staff (e.g. German/English) Breakfast buffet Reading light next to the bed Bath essence or shower gel Bath and hand towels Linen shelves Offer of sewing kit and shoe polish utensils
	Superior Standard	The Superior flag is provided when the additional service and accommodation provisions are not sufficient for the next Hotelstar. The Standard-Superior does usually offer the same service level as three-star hotels but the interiors of the hotel are smaller and cheaper so that the three stars were not to be awarded by the inspection body. A two-star superior does not require mystery guesting.
	Comfort	In addition to the standard star (★★) hotels: Reception opened 10 hours, accessible by phone or digital communication 24 hours from inside and outside Three piece lounge suite at the reception, luggage service Beverage offer in the room Telephone on demand Audio or multimedia entertainment system Heating facility in the bathroom, hair-dryer, cleansing tissue Dressing mirror, place to put the luggage/suitcase Sewing kit, shoe polish utensils, laundry and ironing service Additional pillow and additional blanket on demand Systematic complaint management system Bilingual website owned by hotel
	Superior Comfort	The Superior flag is provided when the additional service and accommodation provisions are not sufficient for the next Hotelstar. The accommodation facilities for a superior hotel need to be on a modern level and fully renovated which is checked regularly.
	First Class	In addition to the comfort star (★★★) hotels: Reception opened 16 hours, accessible by phone 24 hours from inside and outside Lobby with seats and beverage service Breakfast buffet or breakfast menu card via room service Minibar, maxibar or 16 hours beverages via room service Upholstered chair/couch with side table Bath robe and slippers on demand Cosmetic products (e.g. shower cap, nail file, cotton swabs), vanity mirror, tray of a large scale in the bathroom TV has international channels available
	First Class Superior	The Superior flag is provided when the first class hotel has a proven high quality not only in the rooms. The superior hotels provide for additional facilities in the hotel like a sauna or a workout room. The quality is checked regularly by mystery guesting of an external inspection service.
	Luxury	In addition to the first class (★★★★) hotels: Reception opened 24 hours, multilingual staff Doorman-service or valet parking Concierge, page boy Shuttle service, also called Limousine service. Luggage service Personalized greeting for each guest with fresh flowers or a present in the room Minibar and food and beverage offer via room service during 24 hours Internet device in the room on request Safe in the room Ironing service (return within 1 hour), shoe polish service Turndown service in the evening
	Superior Luxury	The Luxury star hotels need to attain high expectations of an international guest service. The Superior Luxury star is only awarded with a system of intensive guest care.

[cec1]

It sounds to me like the Hotels determine the number of stars they want, but sometimes these details get a bit tangled in translation.

Phil

Yes . . . but I don’t think that one’s request automatically entitles the establishment to the stars requested.

As the announcement says, “Requests for classification must be submitted to the Community to the President's secretariat . . . until November 30, for a classification procedure conducted during 2023.” Also, I asked about the definition of “hotel establishment” because in the period of our ownership of The Normandie, we had the option of registering as a hotel or as a B&B — I don’t remember the criteria, but I’m curious to know whether B&B’s will be evaluated for stars along with “hotels.”

[Hawke]

I would follow reviews from locals and tourists over stars. Sometimes politics play a part.