Hotel star ratings are a widely recognized rating system that can give travelers an idea of what they’re getting when they book a hotel. A hotel star rating reflects the accommodations, amenities and level of comfort that a traveler can expect, from the most basic facilities to high-end, luxury accommodations.
Hotel star ratings range from 1 to 5 stars – the more stars a hotel has, the more comfort, attention and amenities a guest can expect. If you’re looking to book accommodations for your next trip and you have an eligible Citi credit card, a site like the Citi Travel® site which offers access to over 1.4 million hotel and resort options, can help you find the accommodations that best suit your needs.
Let’s take a closer look at what hotel star ratings mean and how these ratings are determined.
What are hotel star ratings?
Hotel star ratings typically let you know what to expect from a hotel’s accommodations and amenities. This can include food and dining options, room size, entertainment, pools and spa services, gyms and fitness centers, and guest services. Star ratings can also indicate affordability and the level of care and attention shown to each guest.
How are star ratings determined?
Different organizations assign hotel star ratings. The star rating system is not universal, meaning you might encounter some variation depending on the site or system you use to book your travel, which organization provided the rating and the country you’re traveling to. With this in mind, hotel star ratings can still serve as a general baseline that can help you gauge a hotel’s offerings.
What do hotel star ratings mean?
Hotel star ratings indicate different things in different countries, but in the U.S., you can usually expect the following:
1-star hotels
1-star hotels offer basic accommodations. These are often “budget” or “economy” hotels. You’ll likely get a bed and a bathroom with a shower or tub. The hotel might have more basic amenities like a vending machine or ice machine.
2-star hotels
When booking a 2-star hotel, you can expect a relatively basic level of service but with additional amenities, including a private bathroom, an in-room television and sometimes complimentary breakfast
3-star hotels
3-star hotels typically provide comfortable, spacious accommodations. They offer a little more luxury than 1 or 2-star options, such as additional toiletries (like shower caps and sewing kits), a desk, a dresser and additional in-room seating (such as a couch or chair). 3-star hotels often have amenities like a gym or fitness center, business center, hotel restaurant and pool.
4-star hotels
4-star hotels generally offer an upgraded guest experience. These hotels typically boast larger, more comfortable accommodations, including bigger rooms, better linens, bellhops, concierge service, valet parking and on-site dining. You’ll likely see all the amenities of a 3-star hotel, such as a pool, gym and business center.
5-star hotels
5-star hotels are luxury hotels that offer guests top-of-the-line accommodations. These hotels pull out all the stops to provide the most comfortable, personalized, streamlined service available, which can include turn-down service, round-the-clock room service and reception, valet parking, spas and wellness centers, fine dining and live entertainment. Some 5-star hotels even offer complimentary childcare and fitness trainers.
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