Hotel Rating: All You Need Know

Hotel rating is used to classify hotels according to their quality. The rating may be done in a different way by different organizations around the world.

Some system use “star” rating while mobile travel guide, launched its star rating system in 1957 as “AAA” and their affiliate bodies use “diamond” as against “star” to depict hotel or restaurant rating level.

Hotel can be rated by their standard of food service, entertainment, video, room variation (size and the available amenities), Spas and fitness centers, accessibility to the hotel location,  availability of lift or elevator to higher floors.

The National Tourist Organization is the name of body responsible for the hotel rating, but lately the Ministry of Tourism and Culture in Nigeria after inspection came up with another classification such as Dulux, Good, Super Dulux e.t.c. Although, there is no internationally agreed standard for rating hotels presently.

Ratings of Hotels in Star

1. One-Star Hotels

Hotels in this classification are likely to be small, privately and independently owned, with a family atmosphere. Services may be provided by the owner and the ownenr’s family on an informal basis. There may be a limit range of facilities and meals may be fairly simple. Lunch for example may not be served. Some bedrooms may not have a suite bath/shower. Maintenance, cleanliness,  and comfort should, however be of Nigeria’s acceptable standard.

2. Two-Star-Hotel

In this class, hotels will be typically small to medium sized and offer more extensive facilities than the one-star level. Some business hotels come into the two-star classification. Guests can expect comfortable, well equipped overnight accommodation, usually with an en-suite bath/shower. Reception and other staff will aim for more professional presentation than at the one star level and will offer wider range of straight forward hotel services, including food and drink.

3. Three-Star-Hotels

At this level, hotels are usually of a size to support higher staffing levels as well as a significantly higher quality and range of facilities than at the lower star classifications. Reception and other public areas will be more spacious and the restaurant will cater to non-residents. All bedrooms will have an en-suite bath and shower and will offer a good standard of comfort and equipment, such as hair dryer, direct-dial telephone, and toiletries in the bathroom. Besides room service, some provisions for business travellers can be expected.

4. Four-Star-Hotels

Expectation at this level include a degree of luxury as well as quality in the furnishings, decor and equipment in every area of the hotel. Bedrooms will also usually offer more space than at the lower star levels. They will be well designed, with coordinating furnishings and decor.The unsuited bathrooms will have both bath and shower. There will be a high ratio of staff to guests to provide porter service, 24 hours room service, and laundry and dry cleaning services. The restaurant will demonstrate a serious approach to its cuisine.

5. Five-Star-Hotel

These offer spacious and luxurious accommodations throughout the hotel, matching the best International standards. The interior design should impress with its quality and attention to detail, comfort and elegance. The furnishings should be immaculate. The services should be formal, well supervised, and flawless in its attention to guest’s needs without being intensive. The restaurant will demonstrate a high level of technical skills,  matching the highest international standards. Staff will be knowledgeable,  helpful and well versed in all aspects of customer care, combining efficiency with courtesy.

A five-star hotel must have a minimum of 25 rooms. The facilities that must be present in a five-star are divided into three categories; essential, necessary and desirable facilities. The hotel must have all the essential facilities which includes:

• A bath tub or shower cubicle, sockets for electric shavers and 24 hours hot and cold water supply in every bathroom
• A 24 hours coffee shop
• Twenty four rooms service
• Two or more specialty restaurants
• A bar
• Centrally air-conditioned rooms
• A swimming pool
• Television and channel music
• A health club
• Laundry services
• Conference rooms
• Guestroom telephones with international trunk dialing facilities
• Carpeted floors
• Fire-fighting arrangements.

Types of Rooms In The Hotel

1. Double room
2. Twin room
3. Single room and
4. Suite.

Sections That Make Up A Hotel

1. The personnel department
2. The administrative department
3. The control/official department
4. The front office department
5. The marketing department
6. Food and beverage department
7. The house keeping department
8. The accounting department
9. The maintenance department