American Standards for Hotel Classification
AAA’s Diamond Ratings is the only rating system that covers all of North America including Mexico and the Caribbean as well as Canada and all of the states in the US. AAA annually evaluates 55,000 lodging establishments and restaurants, and rates them on a scale of one to five diamonds. One diamond property meets AAA’s basic standards for comfort, cleanliness, and hospitality, while five diamond properties are the premier establishments that provide the ultimate in quality and service.
AAA regional Tour Book guides cover the entire U.S. and Canada. The guidebooks are updated annually to provide complete destination descriptions and listings of AAA Approved attractions, events and AAA Approved and Diamond Rated lodgings and restaurants. AAA also offers members downloadable versions, called eTourBook guides, for use on e-readers and smartphones equipped with e-reader apps.
On AAA website, travelers can search for AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants using the searchable Travel Guides. The TripTik Travel Planner allows travelers to locate AAA Approved and Diamond Rated establishments based on location, for complete trip routing and travel planning.
Travelers with Web-enabled smartphones can use AAA Mobile Web and a variety of free AAA apps to access AAA travel information on the go. The AAA Trip Tik Mobile app uses GPS technology to display AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants near the user’s location.
British Standards for Hotel Classification is a combination of English Tourism Council’s AA and RAC Quality Standards
One-Star Hotels
Hotels in this classification are likely to be small and independently owned, with a family atmosphere. Services may be provided by the owner and family on an informal basis. There may be a limited range of facilities and meals may be fairly simple. Lunch, for example, may not be served. Some bedrooms may not have an en suite bath/shower rooms. Maintenance, cleanliness and comfort should, however, always be of an acceptable standard.
Two-Star Hotels
In this classification hotels will typically be small to medium sized and offer more extensive facilities than at the one-star level. Some business hotels come into the two-star classification and guests can expect comfortable, well equipped, overnight accommodation, usually with an en-suite bath/shower room. Reception and other staff will aim for a more professional presentation that at the one-star level, and offer a wider range of straightforward services, including food and drink.
Three-Star Hotels
At this level, hotels are usually of a size to support higher staffing levels, and a significantly greater quality and range of facilities than at the lower star classifications. Reception and the other public rooms will be more spacious and the restaurant will normally also cater to non-residents. All bedrooms will have an en suite bath and shower rooms and offer a good standard of comfort and equipment, such as a hair dryer, direct dial telephone and toiletries in the bathroom. Besides room service, some provisions for business travellers can be expected.
Four-Star Hotels
Expectations 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, and well designed, coordinated furnishings and decor. The en-suite bathrooms will have both bath and fixed shower. There will be a high enough ratio of staff to guests to provide services like porterage, 24-hour room service, laundry and dry-cleaning. The restaurant will demonstrate a serious approach to its cuisine.
Five-Star Hotels
Here you should find spacious and luxurious accommodation throughout the hotel, matching the best international standards. Interior design should impress with its quality and attention to detail, comfort and elegance. Furnishings should be immaculate. Services should be formal, well supervised and flawless in attention to guests’ needs, without being intrusive. The restaurant will demonstrate a high level of technical skill, F&B production to the highest international standards. Staff will be knowledgeable, helpful, well versed in all aspects of customer care and combining efficiency with courtesy.
