Star (classification)
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- Stars are also used to classify senior military ranks. See 1 star rank, 2 star rank, 3 star rank, 4 star rank and 5 star rank for more information.
Stars are often used as symbols for classification purposes. They are a common means of ranking things by reviewers such as movies, TV shows, restaurants, and hotels. For example, a set of one to five stars is commonly employed to categorize hotels.
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[edit] Movie, TV, theatre, and music classification
Among reviewers of movies, TV shows, theatre, and music, the star system is the most popular classification system. One star generally indicates a the worst rating though some reviewers use "No-stars" or "Bomb" to indicate the lowest rating possible. On the other end four or five stars represents the highest rating possible. Some reviewers also allow for increments of ½-stars such as 1½ stars or 3½ stars for example. Some reviewers do not use the star classification system at all, instead imploying alternative methods such as the letter grade system used by Entertainment Weekly magazine (i.e. D, C+, A-, etc.). Movie reviewersGene Siskel and Roger Ebert employed a thumbs up/thumbs down system on their show Siskel and Ebert. They would give a thumbs up to films they liked and a thumbs down to film they disliked. In order to provide nuance to their ratings they might add adjectives to a rating such as "A big thumbs up/down" for a film the really liked or disliked or a "minor thumbs up/down" for a film they just barely liked or disliked. Another alternative classification system used by movie, TV, and theatre reviewers in San Francisco Chronicle involves symbols representing of a movie, TV, or theatre viewer in different states of enjoyment of the presentation. In the highest rating, the character is shown standing on his seat clapping. The next highest features a man sitting in his seat clapping. This is followed by a man just sitting looking attentively at the screen, followed by a man asleep in his seat. At the lowest end is an icon of an empty seat indicating the man has walked out of the prsentation.
[edit] Restaurant ratings
Restaurant reviewers often use a star system for rating restaurants. Many use a simple scale of 1 to 4 or 5 stars (with stars occasionally replaced by a fanciful symbol such as a fork or spoon); others use separate scales for food, service, ambience, and even noise level.
The most famous star system in the restaurant world is that of the Michelin Guide, which, in its Red Guide series, awards stars only to exceptional restaurants. A single star denotes "a very good restaurant in its category", two stars "excellent cooking, worth a detour", and three stars, "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey".[1]
Michelin stars are awarded only for the quality of food and wine; the luxury level of the restaurant is rated separately, using a scale of 1 ("quite comfortable") to 5 ("luxury in the traditional style") crossed fork and spoon symbols.
[edit] Hotel ratings
The star classification system is a common one for rating hotels. Higher star ratings often indicate hotels with higher levels of luxury available.
[edit] Standards of hotel classification
In some countries, there is an official body with standard criteria for classifying hotels, but in many others there is none. There have been attempts at unifying the classification system so that it becomes an internationally recognized and reliable standard but large differences exist in the quality of the accommodation and the food within one category of hotel, sometimes even in the same country.
[edit] A "five star hotel"
However, regardless of what public or private agency performs the classification, the term five star hotel is always associated with the ultimate luxury (and, by implication, expense). The lack of standardisation has allowed marketing-driven inflation, with some hotels claiming six stars; at one point the Burj al-Arab marketed itself as "the world's first seven-star hotel". Well-established prestige hotels are usually content to claim the traditional five.
[edit] General meaning of hotel rating by stars
The five categories can be described (loosely) as follows:
(Economy: one star) — A one-star establishment is expected to offer clean, no-frills accommodations with minimal on-site facilities for the budget traveler for whom cost is the primary concern. Guestrooms generally are small, functionally decorated, and may not have a private bathroom, in-room telephone, or amenities. On-site dining is usually not available. Public access and guest reception may not be available at all hours.[2]
- (Value: two stars) — These limited-service establishments are expected to offer clean, basic accommodations. These properties may offer some business services but generally lack meeting rooms, baggage assistance, and full fitness and recreation facilities. On-site dining is usually limited to coffee or Continental breakfast service. Guestrooms generally offer private bathroom, telephone, TV, and limited amenities.[2]
- (Quality: three stars) — Three-star establishments place a greater emphasis on style, comfort, and personalized service. They generally feature on-site dining room service, a pool and/or fitness center, a gift shop, and may provide baggage assistance. Conference rooms for meetings and extended services for business travelers are usually offered. Guestrooms offer more extensive amenities and more careful attention to decor and comfort.[2]
- (Superior: four stars) — These upscale establishments usually offer a fine-dining restaurant, lounge, and room service with extended hours. Service features usually include baggage assistance, concierge service, and valet parking. A conference center with up-to-date technology and full business services are usually offered. Public spaces and guestrooms are thoughtfully designed and constructed with high-quality materials. Guestrooms generally offer stylish furnishings, high-quality bedding and bath products, and a wide array of amenities.[2]
- (Exceptional: five stars) — The finest hotels in the world. Five-star lodging is characterized by luxury appointments, superlative service, and the highest standards of comfort. Five-star hotels offer originality in architecture and interior design, high-grade materials in construction and décor, and such special touches as fresh flowers and plants in abundance. These properties also maintain a high staff-to-guest ratio, gourmet dining, and 24-hour room service. Guestrooms offer ample space, the finest furnishings and decor, premium bedding, and luxury bath products. Room amenities generally include high-speed Internet access and CD and/or DVD players. Five-star resorts may offer additional recreation facilities such as tennis courts and golf-course access. On-site spa services, a top-notch fitness center, and a pool are generally available, as well.
The AAA and their affiliated bodies use diamonds instead of stars to express hotel and restaurant ratings levels.
Traditional systems rest heavily on the facilities provided, which is often disadvantageous to smaller hotels whose quality of accommodation could fall into one class but the lack of an item such as an elevator would prevent it from reaching a higher categorization.
[edit] "Six Star" rating
While "six star" rating systems are known in rating the energy efficiency or water efficiency of electrical appliances, and in some fields of construction and engineering, some members of the hospitality industry have been known to claim a "six star" rating for their operation. One example is the Crown Macau casino, on Taipa Island in the Chinese territory of Macau. Another is the St. Regis Shanghai Hotel in China. The Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast in Australia is described by Australian Traveller magazine as meriting "six star" rating though that level of rating is not used in Australia.[3]
The expansion beyond the traditional "five star" rating has led to at least one commentator questioning if it is simply more puffery or sales hype.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ (2003) Le Guide Rouge: Paris 2003. Paris, France: Michelin Editions de Voyages, p. 16. ISBN 2-06-100694-9.
- ^ a b c d e Lodging details: Hotel class Expedia.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
- ^ "The People's Palace (Hotel Review: Palazzo Versace)", Australian Traveller, date unknown. Retrieved on 2007-01-11.
- ^ "Six-star baloney", Cheapflights.com, 2006-03-19. Retrieved on 2007-01-11.
