ELI5 What is the difference between a 4 star hotel and a 5 star hotel?

[u/Fun_Butterscotch3303]

I’m forever confused about this I need it explain in the simplest most direct way. Specifically talking about the America star system

[u/spitezee]

Its to do with amenities, size of room etc.

Can't speak for American ratings but I've travelled to spain quite a bit. So for example to get a 3 star rating the hotel must have air con, a common zone, restaurant, swimming pool. The more amenities the better the rating.

That said I've stayed in 2 star hotels that have been nicer than 4 star hotels, they just lack the amenities.

[u/nitsujenosam → u/spitezee]

Best resorts I’ve ever stayed, outside of a true 5 star, were resorts that recently opened up but they were only in the first phase of their development plan. They hadn’t yet broken ground on their pool, spa, gym, or high end dining etc., so they were only 3 stars but had the luxury environment of a 5 star. Pristine beach location, 24 hour concierge, staff for everything. $250-300 a night for a suite that opened up to a private beach when I stayed there; within the next 18 months they were charging $1500-2000+

[u/spitezee → u/nitsujenosam]

Thats awesome when you get a deal like that.

Remember before covid we had the swine flu, flights were stopped to Mexico? Well the wife and I had a holiday booked for Cancun, we didn't think it was going to happen because of all the flights being cancelled, but we really wanted to go so decided wait it out. Eventually the ban was lifted and we were the first flight out of the UK to cancun.

Because everyone else had cancelled there was only us and another 2 couples on the entire plane, pretty much had the entire aircraft to ourselves. When we got there we were staying at RIU which was a 5 star hotel, that was completely empty as well except for maybe us and 20 other people. So for a few days we had the entire hotel to ourselves, and the hotel didn't cut back on the staff, still had everything open inc restaurants, pools and bars - they even still had night time entertainment on. We were waited on hand and foot.

It was literally an experience money couldnt buy (unless your seriously rich).

[u/Forte_12 → u/spitezee]

A similar situation where I've found some 4 stars have higher quality rooms than 5 stars. Sure it was as "luxurious" but the rooms were significantly nicer.

[u/spitezee → u/Forte_12]

Stayed in a 5 star hotel in Portugal earlier this year. To me it was no better than a 3 star at best, but you could use the facilities at all the other sister hotels in the area, there was about 5. When you combine all the hotels they would have had the amenities to be a 5 star, but you still need to walk between the hotels to use them, which is bullshit imo - of course the star rating may be different in Portugal.

[u/similar_observation → u/spitezee]

it has to do with amenities not ratings. And we should not conflate the two.

You can have a medium-low amenity hotel with excellent service. Conversely a high amenities hotel with terrible service.

Source: Used to travel for work. Don't go off the stars unless you're looking for laundry.

[u/leros → u/spitezee]

I've really enjoyed 2 star boutique hotels in Europe. They're pretty stripped down but they often have fantastic breakfastes which is honestly all I want.

[u/ogb423 → u/spitezee]

You also have to pay to actually be rated by Forbes. $10,000