Online user ratings are great, until you discover they’re fake. Or you remember how your uncle always leaves reviews and his taste is terrible.
Travelers want a proper set of standards, which generic hotel star ratings seem to offer. After all, you see, “Five-star hotel” and think, “Must be amazing,” just as you hear “One-star” and realize It’s gonna be a rough honeymoon.
But what do those ratings actually mean, particularly now that the internet and its many hotel review sites have transformed travel?
Just to have some sense of how it works, ratings traditionally play out like this.
One Star: Expect the hotel to be small to medium-sized, most likely part of a national chain.
Two Star: Slightly more personal; public access may be restricted past certain hours.
Three Star: The lobby should be pretty nice. Fitness centers and pools make appearances.
Four Star: The goodies you’re pleasantly surprised by at three stars have become commonplace, such as spas, concierges and car valet services
Five Star: The service is pretty personal. The property will likely be quite large. The rooms will offer “stylish furnishing and quality linens;” your lobby may be described as “sumptuous.”
I – Word Understanding
Commonplace – commonly found / ordinary
Sumptuous – extremely costly, rich, luxurious, or magnificent
II – Have Your Say
1, How much do “star” ratings shape your decision when choosing accommodations?
What are the other factors that you consider and where do you base your decisions on that?
2, Describe your best and worst hotel experiences.
3, How useful are online ratings to you?
