The more stars on a hotel's sign, the better it is
Any traveler knows: the more stars on a hotel's sign, the better it is. However, there is no single worldwide system for classifying the level of hotel service - each country sets its own standards and introduces its own nuances. "Put' i Voditel" tells about the common elements inherent in a particular hotel category that will help a tourist find their bearings.
* A rare tourist would choose such an unpresentable hotel for a stay, except to while away a night. If fate brings you to such a place, you can count on a tiny room with amenities and a television on the floor.
** Here you can already count on a private toilet in the room and even a shower not just with a drain in the floor, but with a tray. Linen will be changed more often: once not in five, but in three days. But there may be no bar or restaurant in the hotel building.
*** This is already something. A full bathtub is not uncommon, although there may also be a shower stall. The set of towels increases to three, plus shampoo, shower gel, and soap. A minibar in the room. On the table by the telephone with direct dial to the city, they will put a pen and a notepad. And there will definitely be a television. In a three-star hotel, at the front desk, you can exchange currency.
**** A room in such a hotel is easily recognized by the presence of a hairdryer and air conditioning. In the entrance hall you will find a shoe-cleaning sponge, and among the more diverse set of personal hygiene items (plus body milk, ear cleaning sticks, a nail file) - a sewing kit, a massager. In a four-star hotel, linen is changed daily. In addition, besides a 24-hour bar, the building must have a fitness center with a sauna (usually also with a swimming pool).
***** Checking into such an inn, you can count on a lot. First, do not look for a sign with the number of stars - the presence of an important doorman at the hotel entrance indicates the corresponding service. Porters will not keep you waiting either. In the room you will find: several mirrors and lamps, a personal safe, a terry robe with slippers, carpets on the floor. Personal hygiene items will be supplemented with hair conditioner, bath foam or salt, a comb, a toothbrush and toothpaste...
Do not be surprised by the presence of men's eau de toilette, for example, from Hermes. But as for women being pampered that way - I have never seen it. However, as a rule, five-star hotels offer their guests all these toiletries from some well-known brand: Bulgary, Etro... In the entrance hall you will find shoe and clothes brushes. It is quite likely that the room will have an ironing board with an iron. More and more often, five-star hotels offer guests Internet access. For example, in a new hotel in Vienna, high-speed Internet access was included in the room rate. There, every day they put a new batch of apples and a bottle of water for me - these are gifts that are provided to the guest free of charge. 24-hour room service and currency exchange are an indispensable attribute.
In general, as for the pleasant extras with which luxury hotels pamper their guests, each hotel here shows its individuality. The room of a luxurious hotel in Baden-Baden was equipped with a music center and a cane umbrella. And the staff of a first-class hotel in Spain instantly reacted to my friend's beach acquaintance with a charming girl by putting an extra terry robe and flowers in his room. Truly, there is no limit to the perfection of service.