A 5-star hotel is an establishment tailored to very discerning guests. To obtain a five-star designation, a hotel must offer lavish accommodations and many different amenities — gyms, spas, gourmet restaurants, and more. Five-star hotels also provide a very high standard of service, personalized to each guest’s specific needs. In this article, you’ll learn what makes a five-star hotel.

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What Is the Hotel Industry?

What is the hotel industry, and how is it distinct from the hospitality industry? The hospitality industry covers various leisure-related services and operations, from bars and restaurants to tourism services. The hotel industry overlaps with this but is specifically concerned with overnight accommodation.

As well as hotels, the hotel industry covers businesses such as resorts, holiday homes, serviced apartments, motels, boatels, and bed-and-breakfast establishments. The term covers everything from simple backpacker hostels to the most luxurious 5-star hotel. Essentially, if a business provides accommodation for one or more nights, it’s part of the hotel industry.

The hotel industry is hugely important to society. The hotel industry is an economic powerhouse providing necessary services to travelers. Businesses under this umbrella bring revenue into the community around them and provide employment opportunities. To learn more about the hotel industry, read the article “Hotel Industry: Everything You Need to Know About Hotels!”

International Standardization in Hotel Star Rating Systems

5-star hotels are at the top of rating systems. Over the years, there have been many attempts to standardize hotel evaluations so that prospective guests have an at-a-glance indication of a hotel’s quality. Several companies and bodies are involved in this effort, all offering their own versions of the star rating or something similar.

Typically, hotels are evaluated on a five-yearly basis, with the hotel being upgraded when it improves or downgraded if there’s a drop in quality. These rating systems aren’t perfect. There’s no overall standardization across rating bodies, with different organizations using different criteria. The systems used are often complex and confusing for laypeople.

What Is the Significance of Hotel Star Ratings?

A traveler preparing for a trip often starts by looking for the perfect accommodation. A good hotel can make or break a holiday, so prospective guests need to know the establishment’s quality. When looking at a hotel listing online, a 5-star rating tells the customer this is an upscale hotel.

The guest knows they can expect sophisticated rooms, high-end amenities, fine dining, and excellent service. Of course, these things do come at a higher price. A five-star hotel rating, therefore, is an essential asset for hotel marketing strategies.

Video: How Hotels Are Rated – Explained

What Is a 5-Star Hotel?

A 5-star hotel is one where guests can expect a luxury experience. Rooms and other spaces used by guests will be lavishly furnished and appointed, with stylish decor and high-quality fittings. Amenities will be plentiful and varied, possibly including elements like a fitness room, a spa, a swimming pool, or courts where guests can play tennis or squash.

A five-star hotel will almost always offer fine dining. Service will be of the highest quality, and the usual hotel staff and guests might have access to a personal butler, qualified spa masseurs, and personal trainers in the gyms. According to the Five Star Hotel Market- Global Industry Analysis and Forecast Report by MMR, the global 5-star hotel market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% in the period of 2023-2029.

What Is the Difference Between a 4-Star and a 5-Star Hotel?

When striving to take their business from a 4-star hotel to a 5-star hotel, hotel managers must focus primarily on their experience. That usually means working to improve the level of service. A 4-star hotel will already boast lavish rooms, excellent bar and restaurant facilities, and gyms.

Regarding the property, there won’t usually be much difference between a 4-star and a 5-star establishment. The main distinction is the level of service offered. A 4-star hotel generally won’t provide personal butlers or trainers in their gyms. Quality personalized service is often what elevates a five-star hotel above the average.

According to the Five Star Hotel Market Analysis Report by Market Wide Research, the top three players in the 5-star hotel market are Marriott International, Hilton, and InterContinental Hotels.

Table: Difference Between 4-Star and 5-Star Hotels

Key Points 4-Star Hotel 5-Star Hotel
Room Quality Well-appointed rooms with standard amenities. Luxurious rooms with high-end furnishings and amenities.
Dining Experience Multiple dining options but not necessarily fine dining. Fine dining restaurants with gourmet cuisine and extensive menus.
Service Excellence Professional and courteous service but less personalized. Highly personalized and attentive service, often including butlers and concierge.
Amenities and Facilities Offers a range of amenities, but not as extensive as 5-star hotels. Provides extensive facilities, including spa, recreational activities, and event spaces.

What Are the Features of a 5-Star Hotel?

Five-star hotels have distinct features that distinguish this part of the star rating system. Below are the main characteristics of luxurious hotels.

Facilities

A 5-star hotel’s clientele can select from a variety of amenities. Ballrooms, golf courses, tennis courts, and game rooms are usually available. Gyms, hot tubs, steam rooms, saunas, and heated swimming pools will also be there. Spas may offer health and beauty procedures like massages and manicures. Food and drink are often a major feature, with hotels striving to offer the best fine dining and bar options. World-class chefs often prepare the food in restaurants, and the cellars will be stocked with fine wines and beers. Personal service will be heavily emphasized.

Quality of Service

Quality of service sets a 5-star hotel above its 4-star counterparts. Service must be consistent and exceptional. Staff must be highly trained to meet guests’ needs as they arise and anticipate those needs ahead of time.

Staff must be exceptionally attentive and intuitive, always showing courtesy and taking genuine pleasure in fulfilling their guests’ requests. Queues and waiting times should be non-existent or at least brief, with staff readily available daily or at night. The hotel must cultivate an ethos of superb service among its staff.

5 star-hotel - excellence

Amenities

A 5-star hotel will boast superior amenities. Décor will be of the highest standard, with hotels employing skilled architects and decorators to create the perfect surroundings. The materials used will emphasize quality and luxury. The design will be consistent, except for hotels offering themed rooms and suites.

Rooms will be spacious and thoughtfully arranged, with large beds and high-end fittings. To attain a 5-star rating, a hotel must offer complimentary breakfast, a minibar, and free high-speed wireless internet. The room service menu should be the same as the menu in the main restaurant. Skilled staff should be on hand around the clock to care for guests’ needs.

Four Famous 5-Star Hotels

Here are four well-known and exemplary 5-star hotels. These establishments are renowned for their exceptional facilities, unique offerings, and outstanding service.

The Plaza, New York City, NY, USA

The Plaza is a landmark of New York City. For over a century, it’s been a byword for luxury. Its long and storied history includes highlights such as Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball, and it’s been a haven for many famous names over the years. The NY City Landmarks Commission designated the Plaza as an official landmark in 1969 — the sole hotel to receive this designation. The lobby’s Champagne Bar offers fine French bubbly to guests and visitors, while the Rose Club is famous for its splendid décor and ambiance.

5 star hotel plaza new york city

Click here to visit the website of The Plaza New York.

Shangri-La, Sydney, Australia

The Shangri-La is in the Rocks district, a historic section of Sydney. As well as unforgettable views across Sydney Harbour. The hotel offers drinks and light snacks in the Lobby Lounge, with more substantial gourmet fare in the Café Mix and the award-winning Altitude Restaurant. The hotel’s CHI spa boasts private spa suites and offers a range of wellness treatments, drawing on Chinese and Himalayan traditions. For guests planning events at the hotel, there’s even an on-site staging company to ensure that every event is as memorable as it is unique.

5 star hotel shangri la sydney

Click here to visit the website of The Shangri-La Sydney.

La Mamounia, Marrakech, Morocco

Situated opposite the Kutubiyya Mosque, La Mamounia is famous as one of the World’s Leading Hotels. This 5-star hotel has been voted Condé Nast Traveler’s best hotel worldwide for several years. The hotel offers not just rooms and suites but riads — small, luxurious private homes located in the hotel’s extensive and well-maintained gardens. The hotel’s colonnaded courtyards and reflecting pools with mosaic tiling help it live up to its name (“safe haven” in Arabic). There’s a huge spa, 10 dedicated wellness rooms, and cabins for manicure and pedicure services. The hotel also boasts a large heated swimming pool.

Video: La Mamounia Marrakech

 

Click here to visit the website of La Mamounia.

Capella Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Capella Ubud gives a new meaning to the term “glamping”. It combines all the joy of getting close to nature with a 5-star hotel experience. Capella Ubud is situated in Keliki, an artist village on the sacred Wos River. It’s close to Ubud’s rice paddies and spectacular rainforest. The accommodation consists of sumptuous one-bedroom tented dwellings and a lodge with two bedrooms. The dining is superb, with three restaurants (Api Jiwa, Mads Lange, and the Camp Fire). There are also in-retreat dining and bespoke private dining options. Guests can enjoy a true jungle experience while basking in 5-star luxury.

Video: Inside The Capella Bali: Most Unique Resort in Bali

 

Click here to visit the website of Capella Ubud.

Understanding 7-Star Hotels

You’ve learned about the features of a 5-star hotel; now discover the incredible world of 7-star establishments. These fabulous 7-star hotels will introduce you to a new dimension of luxury and extravagance. You’ll learn about the elements that set these hotels well above the normal definition of luxury, with incredible locations and services like helicopter transfers and personal chefs.

Want to discover which hotel has the world’s biggest champagne selection, the most extravagant entertainment, or the most expensive suite? Read “The 7 Star Hotel: Learn Everything About Seven Star Hotels” to learn more about these outrageous hotels.

Cool Hotels & Their Relationship to Luxury 5-Star Hotels

Sometimes, luxury 5-star hotels aren’t enough for the discerning guest. These establishments buckle hotel trends and offer something different and unique. Whether it’s a distinctly different hotel concept, an imaginative and exciting theme, or an exceptionally unusual location, these hotels are redefining cool.

Learn about floating hotels and hotels themed around favorite films or stories. Discover what makes a hotel cool and how to bring some of that energy to your business. To learn all about these hotels and more, read “Cool Hotels: What Makes a Hotel Cool and What are Some Examples?”

5-Star Hotel FAQs

A 5-star hotel is a hotel that has achieved the highest official rating from a recognized hotel ratings system. It will provide a great sense of luxury, exceptional service, excellent facilities and will cater to individual guests’ needs through personalization efforts.

Yes. Officially, a 5-star hotel has achieved the highest rating that can be achieved by a hotel from a recognized rating system. Some hotels market themselves as 6-star or 7-star hotels, but they are not officially regarded as such.

No. Although all 5-star hotels will deliver luxury and great service, hotels are rated by different organizations, publications, and government bodies, and the criteria for grading a 5-star hotel can differ slightly.

At present, the country with the most 5-star hotels is China. Other countries with a large number of 5-star hotels include Mexico, Spain, the United States, India, the United Kingdom, and Greece.

When guests stay in a 5-star hotel, they can expect more attentive staff, a greater level of personalization, and employees who are trained to the highest standard, resulting in a highly professional approach to customer service.

A 5-star hotel isn’t just beautiful and well-appointed. It also offers a level of care and attention from the staff that other hotels can’t match. While a 4-star hotel might be fine for a holidaymaker, only a 5-star hotel is good enough for celebrities.

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This article is written by:

Martijn Barten

Hi, I am Martijn Barten, founder of Revfine.com. With 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, I specialize in optimizing revenue by combining revenue management with marketing strategies. I have successfully developed, implemented, and managed revenue management and marketing strategies for individual properties and multi-property portfolios.