Hotel stars: what do the different categories mean?
What should a hotel with stars offer? The answer varies by country and region. Comparis sheds light on the matter and reaches for the stars.
09.11.2023
1. What do hotel star ratings mean?
Stars are the most common rating system for hotels. Hotel guests know that the more stars a hotel has, the better its facilities and services. Hotels are usually awarded one to five stars.
In addition, it’s customary to award hotels that offer above-average services within their star category the title of “Superior”.
2. What star criteria apply in Switzerland?
The classification system from Hotellerie Suisse is used in Switzerland. The standards and criteria are listed in a special criteria catalogue (links not available in English).
This includes, on the one hand, the specifications of the European hotel classification Hotelstars Union – as well as specific criteria of the Swiss hotel classification.
Hotellerie Suisse distinguishes between these categories:
| Basic category | Superior hotel | B&B |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss Lodge | Swiss Lodge Superior | Swiss Lodge B&B |
| 1 Star | 1 Star – Superior | 1 Star B&B |
| 2 Stars | 2 Star – Superior | 2 Star B&B |
| 3 Stars | 3 Star – Superior | 3 Star B&B |
| 4 Stars | 4 Star – Superior | 4 Star B&B |
| 5 Stars | 5 Star – Superior | 5 Star B&B |
At Swiss establishments with this designation, the rooms do not necessarily have their own toilets and bathrooms. Shared rooms are also common in this category. There are also no minimum requirements for wardrobes or TVs.
However, the accommodations meet important requirements – for example, with regard to safety and cleanliness. Youth hostels, for example, fall into this category.
A Swiss hotel rated as “superior” meets above-average requirements within the respective star category. This applies, for example, to services, operational maintenance and overall impression of the hotel.
The highest possible rating for hotels in Switzerland is therefore 5-star superior.
A bed and breakfast hotel, often shortened to “B&B” and known as a “Garni-Hotel” in Switzerland, usually does not have its own restaurant. However, a breakfast buffet or small snacks are often available. Stars awarded to hotels with this label reflect the standard of the respective star category – but exclude gastronomy.
How good is a Swiss 3-star hotel?
Are you looking for a hotel that meets high standards? Swiss hotels with three stars must meet important requirements.
Among other things, these criteria apply to 3-star hotels:
The overall impression of the hotel must meet high standards.
Reception service – min. 10 hours per day
Luggage service on request
Seating area in the reception
What should a 4-star hotel offer?
Would you like to experience some of the best of Swiss hospitality? A 4-star hotel could be exactly what you are looking for.
Among other things, these criteria apply to 4-star hotels:
The overall impression of the hotel must meet very high standards.
Reception service – min. 16 hours per day
Luggage service on request
Slippers on request
Bar or lounge area with service (open at least five days a week)
16-hour room service menu
What are the criteria for a 5-star hotel in Switzerland?
Do you like pure luxury? Then maybe a 5-star hotel is what you’re looking for. Swiss hotels awarded with five stars meet the highest standards.
Among other things, these criteria apply to 5-star hotels:
The overall impression of the hotel must meet the highest standards.
Reception service – 24 hours per day
Luggage service
Concierge/guest services
Lobby with seating and beverage service
Bar or lounge area with service (open seven days a week)
Shuttle service or limousine service
24-hour room service menu
Cleanliness in Swiss hotels
Whether you’re staying in a Swiss Lodge, a 1-star hotel or a 5-star hotel, high standards of cleanliness apply in all star categories of Hotellerie Suisse.
3. What are the hotel star criteria abroad?
The criteria and standards are not uniform worldwide. It’s therefore not always easy to compare hotels in different destinations.
For example, a 5-star hotel in a southern European holiday region does not necessarily achieve the same quality and performance standards as a luxury hotel in the Swiss Alps.
If you’re looking for a hotel abroad and have high quality standards, you’ll quickly start to wonder: what does a 3-, 4- or 5-star hotel offer – and what’s not included?
Hotelstars Union: standardized star ratings for Europe
Hotelstars Union was launched to create more transparency. The goal: uniform hotel star criteria in Europe.
Members agree to award hotel stars based on the same standards. In Switzerland, Hotellerie Suisse takes care of compliance with the standards.
Good to know: Hotellerie Suisse founded the Hotelstars Union in 2009 together with the hotel associations from Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Hungary.
In principle, you can assume a high standard. Hotels in countries belonging to the Hotelstars Union offer a comparable standard to 4-star hotels in Switzerland. In other countries, there are usually national or regional criteria for awarding hotel stars.
In principle, you can assume a 5-star hotel is a luxury hotel. However, luxury doesn’t mean the same thing in every country. That’s why you should also check the hotel classifications in your destination – even when opting for a 5-star hotel.
In the common classification system, there is a maximum of five stars. Nevertheless, some hotels still call themselves a 6- or 7-star hotel – or are referred to as such by the media. A well-known example: the luxury hotel Burj al Arab in Dubai.
4. Conclusion: how many hotel stars should I look for?
The choice of hotel and hotel stars depends on your requirements – and of course on your budget.
Globetrotters who want to explore the world on a budget like to choose a cheap but good hotel. In this case, a 1-star or 2-star hotel usually offers a good standard and a high level of cleanliness.
Those who appreciate higher levels of comfort and value coziness will do well with 3 stars. You can look forward to the usual hotel services. These include toiletries, cleaning services and gastronomic highlights.
Would you like a very high standard – and do you have the necessary budget? In that case, you may want to opt for a 4-star hotel. In this category, you can often look forward to a high level of comfort and special culinary and wellness offers.
Is your honeymoon just around the corner? Or do you simply want to stay in a superlative hotel – regardless of the occasion? Then the answer is a 5-star hotel. As a rule, you can count on the highest possible level of luxury and top-class services.
