How 4 Star Hotels Can Vary.

When booking into a four star hotel you automatically assume that the quality will be second to none, but this can vary depending on the size of the building, location and the price of the room.

Picturesque Country Hotel

Having stayed in a variety of country hotels I tend to find that the smaller establishments offer a far better personal service and often a more luxorious feel than the larger hotels, with many little touches being added to give a personal friendly feel. I will admit to being a country gal who prefers the quaint english country manor hotels or inns to the more austere city hotels, the Cotswolds being my favourite part of the country

Majestic City Hotel

Having recently visited  The Royal York Hotel a very grande looking building connected to the railway station and in an ideal location for ease of the city centre.  It was visibly apparent how 4 star hotels can vary in their appearance and the quality of service and luxorious surroundings .  This once majestic building was the gateway to the city for so many travellers.  The reception area was located in the central part of the building next to the grande staircase that spiralled up leading off to several floors and towards a magnificent glass dome and where several beautiful cut glass chandeliers cascaded above, was once the hub of a very decadent era but sadly now the sitting area and decor left alot to the imagaination with minimalistic leather and chrome sofas, small bar tables and chairs, merely offering the basic requirements needed to fulfill the  star rating.

We had booked in to a standard double room which offered all requirements of a 4 star room, but lacked  the luxurious feel that you come to expect.  The furniture was rather utilitarian and the television was still the old fashioned big box style.  The curtains had seen better days with the linings sitting below the main fabric and the overall feel of the room was somewhat tired, overlooking the Post Office depot as the view just finished off, so it certainly didn’t make you feel that you wanted to stay.

The restaurant food and breakfast were good value, the staff were extremely helpful and accomodating but again it was the decor that let the hotel down being of similar style and feel to that of the lobby and sadly gave the appearance of a canteen dining room rather a sumptuous restaurant.

So it did make me wonder what facilities does a hotel have to have to earn a 4* rating ?

What a 4* Hotel Offers:-

• Staff smart and profressionally presented
• Spacious ground floor lobbies.
• Availability of room service.
• Bar(s) and Restaurant(s) in house.
• 24 hour Reception

What to expect in a 4 star hotel bedroom:-

• TV with satellite channels
• DVD player *
• Complimentary tea and coffee making facilities
• Complimentary toiletries
• Complimentary bottled mineral water *
• Wi-Fi  *
• Iron, ironing board and trouser press
• Safe *
• Hair dryer and grooming amenities
• Selection of quality magazines
• Bathrobe  *
• Turndown service *

The items asterisked are additions depending on the hotel and not standard requirements.

Have you a favourite hotel to share ?