What Draws the Line Between Hotel Classifications?

If you have ever wondered what draws the line between hotel categories, you’re not alone.

Here’s the thing: while anybody would notice that luxury resorts are in a class of their own, the difference between mid-range and budget options is not so obvious.

Understanding these categories could save you a world of trouble when trying to make a decision. So, here are the main differences between hotel classifications.

Number of Rooms

The size of a hotel is one of the key things the experts look at when classifying a hotel, and here’s why: there’s no way a hotel with over 700 rooms could be in the same category as a facility with only 50 rooms. The running procedures and traffic volumes are different, even though they are in the same type of business.

How is this info important to customers?

Well, take this for an example. You are organizing a team-building event for your company, and 150 people will be attending. It would be easier if you searched using the number of available rooms to avoid wasting time and running into a broker.

Ownership and Affiliations

There are two major types of hotels – independent and affiliated properties. Single owner establishments are usually smaller and don’t always follow corporate policies, and that makes them slightly cheaper compared to their competition. Most of them are family-friendly and often feature a swimming pool and playground to keep the kids happy and occupied.

Some hotels, on the other hand, are part of a bigger brand. And their target market is usually high-end clientele. That means they follow strict rules and policies to make sure their services are standard and high quality across the board. An excellent example of such a business is the Hilton. They have hotels all over the world, and they are known to be one of the most luxurious hospitality brands in the world.

Level of Service

The hotel industry has three levels of service – world-class, mid-range, and budget. As imagined, world-class hotels offer top-of-the-range services and amenities. Expect things like 24-hour room service, rooftop swimming pools, and spacious rooms.

However, you can also go with a B ‘n B where guests stay in someone’s home and pay a modest price for it.

The Bottom Line?

Hotel classifications boil down to how much the hotel has invested in their business. The bigger the investment is, the higher the star level.