Hotel Ratings
Hotel ratings are often used to classify hotels according to their quality. From the initial purpose of informing travelers on basic facilities that can be expected, the objectives of hotel rating have expanded into a focus on the hotel experience as a whole. Today the terms ‘Grading’, ‘Rating’, and ‘Classification’ are used to generally refer to the same concept, that is to categorize hotels.
There are a wide variety of rating schemes used by different organizations around the world. Many have a system involving stars, with a greater number of stars indicating greater luxury. Food Services, Entertainment, View, Cooking, Cuisines, Technology, Room Variations such as size and additional amenities, Spas and Fitness Centers, ease of access and location may be considered in establishing a standard. Hotels are independently assessed in newly developed ACOHI Systems and rest heavily on the facilities provided. The more common classification systems include “Star” rating, for Hotels, Restaurants, Service Apartments and Motels. Systems using terms such as Deluxe/Luxury, First Class/Superior, Tourist Class/Standard, and Budget Class/Economy along with Star Category are more widely accepted as Hotel types, rather than Hotel Standard.
| Star Rating | Overview of criteria according to ACOHI Star Ratings |
| ★★★★★ | Properties that typify luxury across all areas of operation. Guests will enjoy an extensive range of facilities and comprehensive or highly personalized services. Properties at this level will display excellent design quality and attention to detail. Reflects characteristics of “luxury and sophistication”. Facilities are deemed “world class in every manner” and services are deemed meticulous and “exceeding all guests’ expectations”. |
| ★★★★ | Properties which achieve a deluxe guest experience. A wide range of facilities and superior design qualities are typically complemented by service standards that reflect the varied and discerning needs of the guest. “Up-scale in all areas” and accommodation is “refined and stylish”. Service is deemed responsive, and has an extensive array of facilities. |
| ★★★ | Properties that deliver a broad range of amenities that exceed above-average accommodation needs. Good quality service, design and physical attributes are typically fit for purpose to match guest expectations. Accommodation is deemed “very good”. More spacious public areas and higher quality facilities and a greater variety of services. |
| ★★ | Properties that focus on the needs of price conscious travelers. Services and guest facilities are typically limited to keep room rates affordable and competitive but may be available upon request or fee-based. Appeals to tourists looking for more than basic accommodation. Has expanded facilities and “higher level” of comfort. |
| ★ | Properties that offer budget facilities without compromising cleanliness or guest security. Guests may access fee-based services or facilities upon request. Has limited facilities and services. Appeals to “budget minded” tourists. |
| ☆ | Half-star ratings (not used alone) indicate modest improvements in the quality and condition of guest facilities. |
| Hotelstar | Mandatory criteria | |
|---|---|---|
★ |
Tourist |
|
★S |
Superior Tourist | The Superior flag is provided when the additional service and accommodation provisions are not sufficient for the next Hotelstar. The bathroom facilities are usually at the same level as for two stars hotels but built from cheaper materials. The cost for regular inspection by independent associations is waived as well. |
★★ |
Standard |
In addition to the single star (★) hotels:
|
★★S |
Superior Standard | The Superior flag is provided when the additional service and accommodation provisions are not sufficient for the next Hotelstar. The Standard-Superior does usually offer the same service level as three-star hotels but the interiors of the hotel are smaller and cheaper so that the three stars were not to be awarded by the inspection body. A two-star superior does not require mystery guesting. |
★★★ |
Comfort |
In addition to the standard star (★★) hotels:
|
★★★S |
Superior Comfort | The Superior flag is provided when the additional service and accommodation provisions are not sufficient for the next Hotelstar. The accommodation facilities for a superior hotel need to be on a modern level and fully renovated which is checked regularly. |
★★★★ |
First Class |
In addition to the comfort star (★★★) hotels:
|
★★★★S |
First Class Superior | The Superior flag is provided when the first class hotel has a proven high quality not only in the rooms. The superior hotels provide for additional facilities in the hotel like a sauna or a workout room. The quality is checked regularly by mystery guesting of an external inspection service. |
★★★★★ |
Luxury |
In addition to the first class (★★★★) hotels:
|
★★★★★S |
Superior Luxury | The Luxury star hotels need to attain high expectations of an international guest service. The Superior Luxury star is only awarded with a system of intensive guest care. |
- Mostly other ratings are old fashioned and never been upgraded resulting in a poor grading system, whereas the ACOHI Grading system is completely as per the latest need and current scenario made after tremendous research in the subject of Grading giving accurate results.
- Ratings are extensively checked as per the detailed standards & rules set by ACOHI – Board of Governance.
- Latest Guest Comforts, Cooking Methods, Technology, Garbage, Carbon Points, Environment, HR Policies everything is checked while awarding the Star Certification, generally these are the points which are never checked in any grading systems across India & Asia.
- Grading Committees are formed from different Regions & States to avoid any bias marking for the Grading Process.
- Till the last moment even the GCM – Grading Committee Member doesn’t know about the other Committee Member who will be assessing the Hotel/Property keeping utmost secrecy in the grading system.
- Continuous Mystery Check In, Dining and Service Usage are regular parts of Grading System which is lacking in today’s Grading System here in India.
- Even the smallest Technology of Cuisine, Raw Material Procurement & Storage to Engineering everything is checked thoroughly to ensure Grading is perfect.
- The Committee consists of top scholars of Industry from all segments ( Culinary, Cuisine Experts, Kitchen, Research, Operations, Engineering, Housekeeping, Environmentalist, Garden Specialist, Prominent Chefs & VP & General Managers & others ).
ACOHI Grading is for only one year, whereas in earlier Grading systems it was given forever which was resulting in poor service. ACOHI Grading System will keep them on toes every year to make sure they give best service to Guests and stand best amongst their competition to ensure they get best Star Rating in the next year from the ACOHI Grading Committee.