You often hear about five-star hotels, but you don’t really know what it is. The truth is that there is really no universal standard for all hotel ratings. Some of the terms you hear about this are First Class/Superior, Budget Class/Economy, Deluxe/Luxury, and Tourist Class/Standard; but these are hotel types and not hotel ratings.
Hotel ratings may vary according to the country or the professional organizing providing the rating. In North America, for instance, AAA gives hotels ratings by giving 1 to 5 diamonds. Forbes (Mobil) Travel Guide, on the other hand, ranks only 4 to 5-star hotels.
In Europe, the Hotelstars Union has set its own standard hotel star ratings that can be applied to properties in over 15 countries. In the UK, the Automobile Association’s (AA) gives 1 to 5 star ratings. Many other countries have their own laws that can define their own hotel rating criteria.
No matter how these hotel ratings vary, it is given that five-star hotels are those properties that can offer guests the highest type of luxury which includes personalized services, highly sophisticated accommodations, and various types of amenities. Properties will be able to achieve the 5-star rating when they provide guests that meet if not surpass their expectations in terms of comfort, luxury, and décor.
A true five-star hotel must at least satisfy these criteria: five-star service, in-room amenities, and comfort.
Services
In a five-star hotel all the employees are polite, discreet, and are highly attentive to the needs of the hotel guests. It is expected that servicesare rendered excellently without flaws. Some of the elements to expect are multilingual staff, staff-to-room ratio is high, guest elevators are separate from staff elevators, fine dining restaurants and standalone bars for night caps, luggage storage which is out of the guests’ view, etc.
In-Room Amenities
The room must include WiFi, laundry bags, full length mirror with proper lighting, stocked mini bar, flat screen TV with international cable channels, electric safe, at least four kinds of spa treatments, etc.
Comfort
It is crucial for guest rooms to be plush and always inviting to guests whether it is a luxury five star hotel UAE or UK. The focal point of the room is the bed. It has to be a memory foam bed with sheets that have high thread count. The room must include slippers, bathrobes, luxury toiletries, large fluffy towels, blackout shades, food and beverage service, room attendants, ice water, umbrellas, etc.
It is more likely that soon the following will be added to the standards of a five-star luxury hotel: upgraded coffeemakers, Bluetooth-controlled door locks, additional outlets for electronic devices particularly for USB ports, communication with hotel staff through text, smart TV features with streaming services, and remote access to room temperature, lighting, and “Do Not Disturb” sign.
