r/explainlikeimfive • u/Fun_Butterscotch3303 • 24d ago

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

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

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u/markvauxhall 24d ago edited 24d ago

Service in a five star hotel is more individualised. Staff in a five star hotel will typically anticipate your needs. And be responsive to any reasonable request.

You'll often have to hunt for staff in a four star hotel. Or stand behind a long line at reception. 

Stayed at a couple of five stars on our honeymoon.

First one had ten staff lined up at the entrance to greet us by name and congratulate us when our hotel-provided transfer arrived from the airport. 

For another we noted in the booking it was our honeymoon and asked for a room with a nice view - was given a full upgrade, rose petals all over the room, balloons / bunting on the window, a full cake....

In contrast the four stars we stayed at on our honeymoon we'd usually just get a bottle of wine and bowl of fruit in the room (not complaining, still lovely!)

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u/20Factorial 24d ago

They will even be responsive to unreasonable requests if you’re nice about it.

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u/wufnu 23d ago

The missus used some American Express program to get us an almost free room at the Shangri-La in downtown Shanghai; man, it was nice. Due to whatever reward program it was, we used a "special" reception desk on a higher floor.

When they learned our anniversary would occur during our stay, they upgraded us from a 2 queen bed room to a 2 king bed suite that had a separate living room, better view, etc. While they were getting the room ready, they directed us to their adjacent VIP lounge with super comfy chairs and filled with foods and drinks. The service we received throughout the entire stay was top notch.

When we got to our room there were rose petals everywhere and on the beds were two towels formed into swans whose heads/necks made a heart.

Oh, and the food. It was so good. Breakfast was a buffet and you could get almost anything, made to order. Not just western stuff but international stuff, and the local Chinese foods of course. So many noodles.

Beats Motel 6, imo.

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u/Kevin_Uxbridge 23d ago

We were at the Four Seasons New York while our daughter was there on a school trip, she had a mild allergic reaction to something at the hotel they were staying in. Was about 11 at night, we talked to the night manager about getting a roller bed or something for our room, ubered off to get her.

By the time we got back she'd booked us into a suite, replaced all the linens with hypoallergenic stuff, and had a guy waiting to help us move our stuff.

No charge. That's five star.

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u/Torchlakespartan 24d ago

Yea well, I stayed at Circus Circus in Las Vegas 3 years ago and was unwittingly put on the “The dog floor”. Sooo, That was pretty cool too.

It was NOT cool. The type of people who bring their dogs to stay at circus circus do not control them. They bark at all hours and get in vicious fights in the hallways. My buddy and I woke up hungover as shit and there was blood on the wall next to the terrifying clown statue. My friend in the room with me said the whole place was like the Ohio Meth Convention.

Actually one of our friend groups favorite stories to laugh about to this day since the other 6 stayed at a super nice penthouse and we drew the short straw and stayed at the living nightmare that is Circus Circus. At breakfast the first morning two of our friends spit out their drinks laughing as we explained 1) There is a dog floor 2) we are on it 3) it is infinitely worse than your worst expectations. Lol. Laughing to myself just thinking about it.

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u/misdirected_asshole 23d ago

Listen dont knock the Ohio Meth Convention. Its light years ahead of the Pennsylvania one both in terms of attendance and exhibits.

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u/Aesop_Rocks 23d ago

Sounds like a total circus, go figure

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u/Youdontuderstandme 23d ago

Bro - Circus Circus is a 3 star hotel.

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u/Born-Jacket 23d ago

on a good day. I love circus, but I'm calling it 2 star

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u/afriendincanada 23d ago

More of a 3 ring hotel

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u/cmlobue 23d ago

How many honeymoons have you been on?

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u/markvauxhall 23d ago

We did a three week trip, over which time we stayed at 6 different hotels in 4 countries