Hotel star rating (classement hôtelier)

The hotel star rating, classement hôtelier in French, places a hotel in a category from one to five stars. In France it is voluntary: the operator applies, an accredited inspection body checks compliance with a set of criteria, and Atout France, the national tourism agency, grants the rating. It is valid for five years and must then be renewed through the same procedure. The “Palace” distinction, also awarded by Atout France, is reserved for certain five-star hotels.

In the hotel sector

The criteria combine mandatory items and optional ones chosen from a list. They cover in particular facilities, guest services, accessibility and sustainability. The criteria are revised periodically: a hotel rated under an earlier version must meet the version in force when it renews.

In Belgium, hotel classification is a regional matter, and each region has its own rules.

In a transaction

The rating matters to a buyer in three ways:

• it shapes positioning, average daily rate and access to certain brands and distribution channels
• its expiry date shows whether a renewal inspection is coming, with the works it may require
• a change of category planned by the buyer means CAPEX to be costed, which goes into its business plan and therefore its price

The data room holds the rating decision and the latest inspection report. Any gap between the stars displayed and the actual condition of the hotel shows quickly on the site visit.

Not to be confused with

• Booking platform scores, which measure guest satisfaction, not compliance with set criteria.
• The ERP classification, which concerns fire safety.

A hotel valuation takes account of its category and the works it requires.