We're answering the million-dollar question: who and how are stars awarded to hotels?

A question that we all ask ourselves every time we see stars displayed on the facades of many hotels is how this title is awarded to each of them. Well, today we solve the great mystery. According to the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations (Cehat), in our country there is no national classification system for all hotels; each Autonomous Community has its own regulations. It is true that the differences between the rules imposed by each of them are minimal, but each accommodation is obliged to comply with the requirements that correspond to it.

Therefore, contrary to what many might imagine, there is no inspector who reviews each hotel once constructed, tests its menu, the comfort of its beds, or the friendliness of its staff and then decides how many stars to award under the nervous gaze of the owner, as is the case with the Michelin stars of a restaurant. In this case, the hotel owner determines how many stars they want the hotel to have before starting the project. They rely on architectural aspects and services as dictated by their Autonomous Community.

The hotel star rating system in Europe began in France in 1942. Portugal followed in 1954, and Spain adopted it third in 1968. The regulations were national until the 1980s when this competence (and tourism in general) was transferred to the Autonomous Communities.

Next, to clarify a bit in this sea of rules and guidelines, let's review some of the requirements that hotels in Madrid, Andalusia, and Catalonia must meet to achieve the coveted 5 stars:

• In five-star hotels, at least 5% of the total stays for the tenant must be suites.

• Each room must have a full bathroom equipped with a separate bathtub and shower; additionally, there must be double sinks in all rooms except singles, and the bidet and toilet must be separate. Oh, and a hairdryer cannot be missing.

• To access the room, there must be two doors, with a corridor between them, and if that is not the case, at least designed in such a way that the interior is not visible from the outside when the door is open. Five-star hotels must have an individual safe in all accommodation units.

• They must have a garage or parking that, if located in another building, will have staff to provide parking service.

• An à la carte menu is mandatory.

• There must be maintenance service available 24 hours a day.

Similar to the previous ones, but adding some interesting points such as:

• Five-star hotels must be located in buildings that stand out for the excellent quality of their facilities, materials, equipment, and decoration, offering services of the highest quality.

• It must allow customers access to telecommunication services.

• The garage must be covered and at least be available for one in three rooms.

• Hallways must have a minimum width of 1.65 m, which can be reduced to 1.50 m when there are rooms only on one side.

• Rooms must have a height of 2.70 m and must be properly soundproofed.

• All must have a minibar (although now, due to COVID, this service is restricted in most places).

To many of the previous requirements, these are added:

• Five-star hotels must have a breakfast service with local products.

• Among the personal hygiene items, they cannot be missing toothbrush, toothpaste, paper tissues, shaving kit, cologne, nail file, sewing kit, and shoe cleaner.

• They must have 24-hour room service (including food offerings).

• Room setup for sleeping.

In addition, there are a number of services that grant hotels extra points:

• Heated pool service within 100 meters of the building.

• Special amenity areas (sports, aquatic, recreational).

• Environmental quality label.

• Tourism or management quality label.

• Ironing service in the room.

• Shower with a hydromassage column or bathtub with hydromassage in the bathroom of the room, in at least 60% of the rooms.