The word hotel is derived from the French hotel, which refers to a French version of a townhouse. British Law defines a “Hotel” or “Inn” as “a place where a bonafide traveller can receive food and shelter, provided s/he is in a position to pay for it and is in a fit condition to be received.” Therefore, a hotel must provide food (and beverage) and lodging to travellers, on payment and has, in turn, the right to refuse admission if the traveller is unkempt or not in a fit and orderly state. With the evolution of hotels and its proliferation around the world, it is impossible to categories them under one term. Therefore, hotels are classified into distinct categories to help the prospective guest in identifying the right type of hotel matching his standard and requirement. The criteria on which hotels are classified are exemplified below:
1) Size
2) Star
3) Location
4) Clientele Introduction to Tourism and Hotel Industry Introduction to Tourism and Hotel Industry
5) Length of Guest stay
6) Level of Services
7) Ownership
8) Affiliation
9) Management
1) Classification on the Basis of Size: In this classification, hotels are classified with respect to their number of guest rooms or the size of the hotel. The size of the property depends on the financial strength of the investor.
Hotels can be grouped into the following categories:
In India: Small Hotel: Hotels with 25 guest rooms or less, e.g. The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambore.
Medium Hotel: Hotels with 26 rooms to 100guest rooms, e.g., Hotel Taj View, Agra
Large Hotel: Hotels with 101 rooms to 300 guest rooms, e.g., The Imperial, New Delhi.
Very Large Hotel: Hotels with more than 300 guest rooms, e.g., Hotel Shangri-La, New Delhi. In Europe and America:
Small Hotel: Hotels with less than 100 rooms.
Medium Hotel: Hotels with up to 300 guest rooms.
Large Hotel: Hotels with 400-600 guest rooms.
Very Large Hotel: Hotels with 600-1,000 guest rooms.
2) Classification on the Basis of Star: The standards for gradation of hotels in India are laid down by the government of India from the point of view of the suitability of the hotel for foreign and domestic tourists. All hotels which are approved get worldwide promotion and publicity through tourist literature published by the government and distributed in India as well as abroad/overseas and are eligible for foreign exchange for their essential imports of equipment. In addition to the approval of a hotel project at the planning stage from the point of view of suitability for foreign tourists, the hotel on completion is inspected as functioning established for approval and placement in the appropriate star category. There are certain general features, facilities and services expected of establishments in each category. For example, hotels in the category of four, five and five stars deluxe should be completely air-conditioned, three-star hotels need have air-conditioned in only 50% of Introduction to Tourism and Hotel Industry Introduction to Tourism and Hotel Industry rooms; two-star hotels need not serve continental cuisine and one-star hotels need to have at least 25% attached bathroom.
One Star Category Hotels: The general construction of the building of one-star category hotels should be good and the locality and environs including immediate approach should be suitable. The hotel should have at least 10 lettable bedrooms of which at least 25% should have attached bathroom with a bathroom for every 4 of the remaining rooms. At least 25% of the bathrooms should have western-style water closets (WC’s). All bathrooms should have modern sanitation and running cold water with an adequate supply of hot water, soap and toilet paper. The rooms should be properly ventilated and should have clean and comfortable beds and furniture.
Two Star Category Hotels: The hotel should have at least 10 lettable bedrooms of which at least 75% should have attached bathrooms with showers and a bathroom for every four of the remaining rooms and should be with modern sanitation and running cold water with an adequate supply of hot water, soap and toilet paper. 25% of the rooms should be air-conditioned, and all rooms must be properly ventilated, clean and comfortable, with all the necessary items of furniture.
Three Star Category Hotels: The architectural features and general construction of the building of three-star category hotels should be of a very good standard and the locality including the immediate approach and environs should be suitable for a very good hotel and there should be adequate parking facilities for cars. The hotel should have at least 10 lettable bedrooms, all with attached bathrooms with bathtubs and/or showers and should be modern in design and equipped with fittings of a good standard, with hot and cold running water. At least 50 percent of the rooms should be air-conditioned and the furniture and furnishings such as carpet, curtains etc. should be of a very good standard and design.
Four Star Category Hotels: The hotel should have at least 10 lettable bedrooms, all with attached bathrooms. At least 50% of the bathrooms must have bathtubs or the most modern shower chambers, with 24 hours service of hot and cold running water. All the public and private rooms should be fully air-conditioned and should be well furnished with carpet, curtains, furniture, fittings etc. in good taste.
Five Star and Five Star Deluxe Category Hotels: The façade, architectural features and general construction of the building of five-star deluxe hotels should have the distinctive qualities of a luxury hotel of this category. Five-star deluxe category hotels are a qualitative extension of the five star category, while quantitatively, the basic features are as of a five star category. In a five star deluxe hotel, the comparative all-around standard of service and amenities are of very superior quality and high standard. The locality including the immediate approach and environs should be suitable for a luxury hotel in this category, and there should be adequate parking space for cars. The hotel should have at least 10 lettable bedrooms, all with well-appointed, attached bathrooms with long baths or the most modern shower chambers, rooms and private rooms should be fully air-conditioned and should be well-appointed with superior quality carpets, curtains, furniture, fittings etc. in good taste
