In
most countries the grading systems only serve to confuse.
France is better than most and is based on a star rating.
In France there is no 5 star officially graded hotels, the grading
system ranges from one to four stars. The French government grades
hotels from one star for a simple inn to four stars for a deluxe hotel.
As a result French hotels may have a lower star rating than the equivalent
in other countries. |
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This system is based on a complicated formula which takes account
of room sizes and hotel facilities such as lifts, services like 24
hour reception and restaurant/catering provision. French hotels sometimes
quote room sizes within their promotional material.
A one star hotel would be very basic. It may have shared bathroom
facilities, no lifts, no in-room telephones and just a basic ability
to provide a simple breakfast. As the grading is essentially based
on a points system the exact offering will differ from hotel to hotel.
In Paris you will find very few one star hotels.
Two and Three star hotels make up the rump of the hotels used by leisure
travellers. The basic components are usually ensuite rooms, elevators
and lifts, phones and TV's routinely found in rooms. Two star hotels
are perfectly acceptable, several chain hotels have hotels that are
two star - in many other countries these hotels would be 3 star. Many
quite grand hotels like Holiday Inn that would be commonly 4 star
elsewhere are graded 3 star in France.
Four star hotels are luxury hotels and will normally have room service,
concierge style services, full catering/restaurant facilities and
maybe health club style amenities.
As ever, the grading system cannot indicate helpfulness of staff or
subjective measures which can differentiate the routine from the great.
Lastly, it is not unknown for hotels to apply for and be given a lower
star rating than the formula justifies - a lower star rating can mean
lower taxation for the hotel. |
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