The ‘Untypical’ EU Hotel Star Ratings
Is your future REALLY written in the Stars?
First, let it be known there is no international classification of standards for hotels… Really!? Yes, we were shocked, too! Potentially important amenities and services vary greatly between countries and cultures. Criteria for hotel selection is a very subjective matter depending upon demand of potential guests. With this in mind, choosing accommodations can be a very challenging task, especially when visiting another country. Vague descriptions of “clean” rooms or “pleasant” staff can be deceiving and downright absurd at times. But all is not lost. There are ways to wisely approach the undertaking of selecting a place to stay.
Most are familiar with the standard ‘star’ rating used by many services, such as AAA or Forbes, to rate hotels. Typically, on a scale of low (1 star) to high (5 star) you can get at least a fair idea of what you’re getting for your money.
In Europe however, there are several differences to be aware of. A star system is still in place, but there are certain criteria that pull the most weight: Quality Management, Wellness and Sleeping Accommodation. HotelStars.eu was put into effect in 2010 and is a universal standard for 24 of the European countries. Travelers can look up a catalogue on the website and see the criteria necessary for a hotel to rate between 1 and 5 stars. There are arguments that some of these ratings might be influenced by outside interests. To get the most, well-rounded opinion of what you are considering it is recommended to go to more than just this one source.
So, now you ask yourself, “What else should I do?”….Do your homework! You have the internet, use it! Try and find several resources to see if there are reviews, photos, posts, tweets by people who have actually stayed in these places. Good or bad, most people love to share their experiences and there are countless resources where this kind of information can be found. One of our top recommendations would be Europeupclose.com which has many posts regarding suggestions for different areas in Europe. Or, if you are interested in finding something a little less than typical try Airbnb for their neighborhood guides.