Deciphering the hotel star-rating system.
If you've wandered around European cities, you've probably noticed that the star-rating system doesn't make a lot of sense. You'll see a three-star designation on an absolute dump, while that perfectly charming little auberge down the street has a solitary star.If you've wondered what's up with that, you're not alone. Many of the complaints on tripadvisor are because the reviewer expected a level of service or accommodation from the hotel's star designation that the property didn't deliver.
Here's why.
While U.S. star-rating systems like Mobil or AAA attempt to summarize the overall desirability of a property -- a 4-star property is better than a 3-star one, and so on -- European ratings don't work like that. Stars are awarded based on facilities, not appeal.
In France, the number and size of rooms, the presence or absence of a tub, bidet, phone, restaurant, air conditioning, elevator, bar, and meeting rooms are all taken into account.
For better or worse, French standards are the same throughout the country. A 3-star hotel in Rouen has the same amenities as a 3-star hotel in Reims. Not so in Spain, where every region has its own criteria. And of course, most European countries have their own system, so while you can find a 5-star property in Britain of Italy, France has no such thing.
The most reliable ratings are probably found in Germany, where inspectors come every three years examining everything from shower curtains to Internet access. In Italy, hoteliers sometimes reduce their tax burden by opting for one less star.
The moral of this story is, don't make assumptions about how "nice" a hotel is based on its star rating. If you're sold on a 2-star property, take a close look and be sure you can live without whatever amenity is missing. And don't pop for a 4-star without making sure it will offer the 4-star experience you're looking for.
