4-star hotels - what should they be?

Contrary to popular belief, there is no single international hotel classification system that can accurately determine the level of service in a particular hotel. There is also no single global body that would be responsible for registering the hotel status.

Even the star system, common in European countries, does not guarantee that the list of requirements that must correspond to 4-star hotels is the same in all countries.

Usually qualification is appropriated by the state bodies responsible for the development of tourism in the country. For example, in France or Turkey it is the prerogative of the Ministry of Tourism, in Russia - the Federal Agency for Recreation and Tourism.

In other words, the characteristics of 4- star hotels in France will differ from the characteristics of Dutch, Russian or Turkish-like star hotels.

However, it does not make much confusion and the level of comfort of hotels of this level is quite predictable.

What can be included in the minimum set of requirements that must correspond to 4-star hotels

1. Round-the-clock operating system of fire safety. Security service responsible for the safety of the things of customers. Possibility to remove the safe-cell for especially valuable items.
2. Strict observance of sanitary standards. Ideal cleanliness. Good plumbing equipment. Absence of insects and rodents in all rooms. Regular medical examination of personnel.
3. The area of the rooms is not regulated, but it is indicated that it should be sufficient for free and comfortable placement of the client. Higher requirements are also imposed on the area of the bathroom.
4. The qualification of all personnel must correspond to the position occupied.
5. Presence of several inputs. A compulsory separate entrance for hotel staff.
6. 4-star hotels are obliged to provide round-the-clock operation of elevators, including service and freight. The waiting time should not exceed 30 seconds.
7. Cold and hot water round the clock. Availability of a spare water supply system. Autonomous water treatment and treatment systems.
8. Room and common room facilities are air-conditioned. Presence of a thermal air curtain at the entrance.
9. All rooms should be well lit. Mandatory availability of emergency lighting and spare energy saving systems.
10. International telephone connection in each room and in the lobby. 4-star hotels must provide round-the-clock free access to the Internet in rooms and in common areas.
11. Multichannel television, which includes broadcasting in the most common languages of the world.
12. There are several restaurants and bars offering different cuisines. There should be non-smoking areas and the possibility to order food delivery to the room. 4-star hotels must be equipped with an internal passage to the restaurant or dining room.
13. Presence of the equipped and well-groomed halls, halls for banquets or conferences, discos, karaoke.
14. Daily linen change and cleaning. Possibility to request additional cleaning. Laundry and dry cleaning.
15. Presence of swimming pools, saunas, wellness complexes, beauty salons.
16. Provision of tourist services: booking excursions or guides. Providing information on the conduct of recreational activities and booking tickets.
17. Hotels of 4 stars are obliged to organize on their territory the provision of postal services, up to sending telegrams.
18. Possibility of booking air and railway tickets. Calling a taxi, ordering a car, a free shuttle bus in case the 4-star hotels are located far from any popular tourist destination.
19. Providing banking services: currency exchange, credit cards. Insurance.
20. Hotels of 4 stars must organize on their territory the work of kiosks for the sale of souvenirs, cigarettes, postal supplies.

Again, the above-described 4-star hotel features are not mandatory. This is a generalization of the practice of high-ranking European hotels. Such factors as cost, country of accommodation, national traditions and destination of the hotel can make their own adjustments to the proposed list.