The truth about five-star hotel ratings

THEY’RE said to be the cream of the crop when it comes to accommodation, but there are a few things you should know about places with a five-star rating.

IT DOESN’T get much better than a luxury hotel stay.

But if you’re going to splash out on the finer things in life, you might be wondering what swanky bells and whistles come with the five-star price tag, according to Skyscanner Australia.

WHAT DOES A 5-STAR HOTEL RATING MEAN?

Well, it all hinges on who’s handing them out.

In Australia, the most comprehensive system is Star Ratings Australia. Only 39 hotels in the country have been awarded the coveted five stars, including The Langham in Melbourne, Avenue Hotel in Canberra and Radisson Blu Plaza in Sydney. Participation is by request and hotels must pay to be included.

Star Ratings focuses mostly on amenities — that being said, it’s not exactly easy benchmarking with a checklist spanning over 200 criteria. Everything is taken into account, from the length of the room mirror to the hotel restaurant’s opening hours.

The lavish hotel The Langham is one of the five-star hotels in Australia. Picture: Supplied

Some rating agencies up the ante so much so that even stalwarts like Ritz Carlton don’t make the cut. The Forbes Travel Guide are the most formidable of hotel mystery shoppers, with anonymous professional inspectors that assess hotels against 500 performance measures (and then some). It’s not just about thread count — careful attention is paid to levels of personal service. In 2017, only seven hotels in London were awarded the prestigious top shelf position.

ARE HOTEL RATINGS CONSISTENT AROUND THE WORLD?

The short answer? No. Every country has its own rating system, so what you can expect from a five-star hotel here in Australia could be very different to the five-star standard in, say, Dubai.

For those planning to luxe it up in Europe, 15 countries in the EU (Germany, Sweden and Austria included) enjoy a standardised hotel-ranking system. To earn your stars, a personalised greeting with flowers or chocolate and an hour-long ironing service must be included in the room rate.

Rating systems differ from country to country. In Dubai, the Burj Al Arab comes with a seven-star rating. Picture: istock

The UK ratings are issued by various tourist boards. Exact facilities are undefined but courtesies are clear — guests should be greeted at the door.

In the US, the diamond ranking system reigns supreme and the American Automobile Association dishes out top tier status based on turndown service, wake up calls and vaguely termed “extraordinary physical attributes”.

WHAT SETS A FIVE STAR APART FROM A FOUR STAR?

Five stars are the crème de la crème — hotels that offer only the very highest levels of luxury and personal service.

Four-star hotels have imposing, formal lobbies, but top ranked establishments decorate with a flourish. Their lobbies and rooms are sumptuously furnished, often including heated pools, garden jacuzzis and brand name toiletries — such as Hermes, if you’re staying at the Hotel Champs Elysees Plaza in Paris.

Mattresses are ultra-plush, and you might even get a pillow menu.

The Crown Towers in Melbourne is also a five-star establishment. Picture: European Pressphoto Agency

While restaurant dining is a given for four-star hotels, five-star hotel would offer around three fine dining options helmed by decorated chefs. If you feel peckish late at night, around-the-clock room service is always an option at top tiers.

Four-star hotels are often clustered around others of the same calibre, close to major attractions. Five-star hotels like Crown Towers in Melbourne are also located right in the heart of the city, but generally hotels get major brownie points for exclusive locations. For instance, a night at the secluded five-star Osprey Pavilion on Kangaroo Island will allow you to enjoy uninterrupted coastal views while soaking in a hand sculpted granite tub.

But beyond all the physical attributes, what really elevates a hotel is the personalisation — five-star hotel staff members are trained to anticipate guests needs while keeping record in case of future visits. Now that’s attention to detail.

This article originally appeared on Skyscanner.com.au.