Star Struck
Back in 1492 when Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue, the only way to navigate the globe was by the stars. Fortunately, this is not the case anymore. With the dawn of the internet and the growth of online vacation planning (hotelsbycity.net), came the birth of the "star rating" system. Unless you knew someone in your destination city, or unless you had stayed there before, you had no idea which accomodations were good, which were great and which ones made you want to run screaming from the building.
With the "star rating" system, travelers had a reference on which to confidently base their decisions. A four star hotel in the downtown core must be better than a two star hotel a couple of blocks away...right? Think again. While the "star rating" system does provide a convenient solution, it isn't necessarily the answer to finding great accommodations.
The truth is that the star rating system is, in most cases, a loosely regulated program controlled by the government or in some cases like in Switzerland, a volunteer organisation. For example in Europe, there is no uniform definition of a 3 star hotel, so don't expect the same uniform quality or price in each city. Sure they will all have a bed, and a bathroom (sizes will vary) but the stars will never indicate that the bed is hard or that the water pressure is weak. For the most part, a rating system is based on an objective assessment of the accommodations facilities and services.
Here in Quebec, we have in my opinion, one of the most refined rating systems in the world. Our system, implemented by the CITQ (Corporation de L'Industrie Touristique de Quebec) only 6 short years ago, created criteria and specific classifications designed to clarify exactly what you can expect when you arrive. The system is divided into 7 establishment classes. We have:
- Hotel establishments: offering lodgings in one or more adjacent buildings. Classified on a scale of 0 to 5 stars
- Bed & breakfast establshments: accomodation in a private home operated by their owners or occupants, with a maximum of 5 rooms. The price must include breakfast on site. Classified on a scale of 0 to 5 suns
- Tourist homes: Furnished cottages, homes, or apartments with a kitchenette and one or more bedrooms. Classified on a scale of 0 to 4 stars
- Resorts: Establishment offering lodging, meals or cooking facilities, recreational activities and equipment. Classified on a scale of 0 to 4 stars
- Hospitality villages: Establishments where participants offer lodging in their homes for up to 6 guests, along with breakfast, lunch, or dinner and group activities.
- Youth hostels: providing domitory or private rooms for travellers of all ages and meals or cooking facilities. Classified on a scale of 0 to 3 stars
- Educational institutions: offering visitors rooms in residences used by students during the school year. Classified on a scale of 0 to 3 stars.
In 2005, the CITQ became the 5th canadian body to join the World Tourism Organization and the first provincial tourism group to be accepted. Tourisme Montréal was the first canadian city organization accepted to the WTO (The other three groups being the Tourism Association of Canada, the Université de Québec Montréal and the University of Calgary). For more information on the Quebec classification system check out the website: www.citq.qc.ca.
With all of this in mind, its important to consider more than just an accommodations rating before you give them your credit card number. Take the time to investigate the company, its surrounding neighbourhood and its reviews. Also, don't be shy to call the place. Its best to find a direct line otherwise you may end up being connected with an out-sourced call centre on the other side of the planet from your destination. (specifically when dealing with hotel chains) If there is a concierge, ask him/her what makes there establishment worthy of your business.
The next time you're on the road, you might be amazed what you find when you're not following the stars.
