6.3 Today’s Hotel Industry
Classifications
Hotels are classified in different ways to denote quality, amenities, size, and type of experience. Common classification methods include star ratings, diamond ratings, eco-certifications, chain scales, and industry segmentations. These help consumers select accommodations matching their needs and budgets. Team members building careers in the accommodation sector share transferable skills but cannot necessarily switch from one classification to another seamlessly. Making strategic decisions about one’s career pathway is integral to ensure barriers are not bumped up against later in one’s career.
Star Ratings
The most widely recognized ratings are star systems designating luxury levels. Many countries use 5-star scales where more stars indicate nicer amenities and service. 1-star properties offer budget basics while 5-stars are opulent. Ratings are assigned by government tourist boards or independent organizations.
Critics argue star ratings are subjective and inconsistent globally. There is no standard for the star rating system. In most regions, hoteliers can call their property any number of stars that they want. This can be leveraged as a marketing ploy to unsuspecting consumers. There are even hotels that refer to themselves as 6-star or 7-star properties. These are marketing terms, not reliable denotations.
Fact
Although the star rating system lacks a global standard, some locations have defined metrics. Paris, France, is one such major tourism destination that has guidelines for what constitutes each star in the star rating system (Paris Discovery Guide, n.d.). Paris’s star rating system is objective, not subjective.
The star rating system for hotels in Paris, France, is a standardized framework that categorizes hotels based on their quality, amenities, and level of service. This system ranges from one to five stars. The higher star ratings indicate more luxurious and comprehensive facilities and services.
France’s classification is overseen by Atout France, the French Agency for Tourism Development. A one-star hotel typically offers basic accommodations with limited amenities, suitable for budget travelers. As the stars increase, so do the quality and variety of services. This includes but is not limited to room size, decor, reception availability, and additional facilities like restaurants and spas. Five-star hotels represent the pinnacle of luxury and comfort. These properties are known to offer exquisite rooms, exceptional service, gourmet dining, and other high-end amenities. These ratings are subject to regular review and inspection to ensure that standards are consistently met. France ensures travelers have a reliable indicator of what to expect from their accommodations.
Diamond Ratings
Hospitality ratings firms such as AAA in the U.S. or CAA in Canada inspect and rate hotels using a diamond system (5 maximum). Diamonds indicate quality, physical attributes and level of service. Diamond rat