What is the difference between a 4-star and a 5-star hotel?

You have probably heard of a 5-star hotel, haven’t you? But have you heard of a 4-star or a 3-star hotel? Well, they do exist. Hotels are in various standards and categories, and they are rated based on the services and facilities they offer for national or international customers. What then are the distinguishing factors that make one hotel 2- or 3-star while another is 4- or 5-star? Well, truth be told, it is often very difficult to particularly place a hotel as 4-star or 5-star based on their reviews and facilities, because a 5-star hotel might differ very little from a 4-star hotel in terms of customer service, international standards, and facilities. But by and large, the following are some of the factors you might consider in rating a hotel:

• Architectural masterpiece: The architectural masterpiece of a hotel to a large extent determines how it is rated, and the modernity or futuristic outlook on designs and structures will help how a hotel is rated or valued by visiting customers.

• Location and expanse of land: You might not believe this, but people love hotels that offer a perfect view of the seas and the oceans, or that is built on beaches and islands with a natural panoramic and scenic vista of the city beyond. Some exotic hotels are built on wide expanses of land that span kilometres on a beach or a very mountainous region overlooking the oceans, and some are perfect pieces of artwork on exclusive resorts that are just out-of-this-world.

• Deluxe bedrooms and suites: Some hotels offer very spacious bedrooms that come in various designs and sizes, and some provide complete suites that cater to the needs of international VIPs, government functionaries, and entertainment celebrities. Such suites are usually exclusive and contain a set of bedrooms, living rooms, private pool, bar and lounge, internet connectivity, full ACs or HVAC systems, and other luxury facilities.

• Spas and salons: An international hotel must be able to offer spas and hot baths to customers that desire mineral spring baths; and there must be salons that cater to celebrity beauty needs. Do not forget that a health and fitness gym might also be required to complete the list, and sports recreation facilities for volleyball, basketball, tennis, and other kinds of sports would be great to have for paying customers.

There are several other factors like international cuisines, airport pickup services, multimedia halls, parking spaces and a host of others. The major point here to note is that an international hotel that has all luxury facilities for catering to international customers must either be a 4-star or a 5-star hotel.