Even the view from the windows of its rooms affects the hotel's "star rating"
The cheapest category of hotels is, of course, "one star". Contrary to popular belief, one-star hotels can be not only hotels in Chelyabinsk, but also boarding houses in Rome or New York. Rooms here are typically designed for two guests. Yes, there is a shower, toilet, and TV, but no more frills. In such places you can spend one or two nights, resting while waiting for your flight during a layover. As mentioned above, they are not expensive, so they are most often used by hitchhiking students or business travelers passing through the city. They are also convenient for tourists on a bus tour.
The advantages of two-star hotels lie in their more convenient location – closer, for example, to the sea or the train station. Of course, prices are higher here.
Things are significantly better in "three-star" hotels. Rooms are furnished, there are not only beds but also a wardrobe and bedside tables. There is a place to hang clothes and leave personal belongings. Single rooms in such hotels are rare, but guests will definitely receive necessary toiletries and various small household items – for example, matches or a needle and thread. Bed linen and towels are changed daily.
As for meals, the common practice in such hotels is a buffet. Of course, there is a menu, but guests choose their own food. Breakfast is included in the room rate and depends on local customs and habits. For example, coffee and croissants are the favorite breakfast of the French. And hotels in Smolensk, for instance, will offer more traditional scrambled eggs and sandwiches. The cost of any alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks is paid separately.
More affluent and demanding tourists can get a room in a four-star hotel. An individual room with a private bathroom, various meal options and a wide selection of dishes. And that's not all. Various additional services, such as gyms, jacuzzis or saunas are sometimes even included in the room rate (pay attention to the "All included" label in the list of services).
Five-star hotels are the height of luxury and comfort. They have everything that an experienced tourist could imagine. Although the most indicative in this regard, oddly enough, is the bathroom. Gilded tiles form intricate patterns on the floor and walls, aromatic vessels fill the room with fragrance, huge mirrors give the room volume and airiness. Even such trifles as soap dishes or shelves for bath accessories look very presentable here.
When going on a trip, learn to come to terms with national peculiarities and customs, especially since in some places they are very pleasant. For example, a traditional bottle of young wine for each guest of Sicilian hotels. We hope this article will make it easier for you to book hotels in Russia or any other country. Bon voyage!