As is well known, most small hotels in St. Petersburg operate as business hotels. But due to their low star rating, they experience certain limitations in their capabilities. For example, many businessmen, by virtue of their rank, are simply not supposed to stay in hotels below four stars. In addition, the classification of a mini-hotel affects its market positioning, advertising, and popularity among the business elite.
According to many market participants, the problem should be solved at the legislative level - by refining the existing regulatory framework. Initiatives in this direction are already emerging. In particular, since many mini-hotels of St. Petersburg have recently become members of the Russian Union of Tourism Industry (RST), the North-Western branch of RST has decided to create a Commission on mini-hotels, whose main task at this stage is to develop a draft law on the classification of these accommodation facilities.
While awaiting changes, some St. Petersburg mini-hotels are themselves finding temporary ways to solve this problem, at least within their own networks. For example, according to RATA-News, the company B&B Rinaldi, which manages ten small hotels, in connection with the commissioning of new hotels that meet higher requirements, has decided to classify them according to the following levels: Rinaldi Home, Rinaldi Optimum, Rinaldi Premium.
The Home category consists of hotels with a small number of rooms and a special, homey atmosphere. Optimum represents a traditional hotel with a high level of service and additional services at an affordable price. The Premium category is distinguished by an extremely convenient location and even designer interior solutions.