French Hotel Classification System - Hotel Stars That Do not Shine

They say that all that glitters is not gold, and the same may be said for the French system of grading hotels.

The One Star* to Four Star**** classification system has been in existence in France since 1986, and many commentators now consider it is urgently in need of review.

Amongst the 21 ageing criteria that grants a hotel the possibility of obtaining one to four stars are ‘the availability of a telephone on each floor’, or a guarantee of ‘hot and cold water at any time’.

A One Star* hotel is required to have at least seven bedrooms a minimum of 7m2, a bathroom in at least 20% of rooms, and at least one public telephone.

A Three Star*** hotel must have a lift access over three floors, at least ten bedrooms 10m2, a toilet and bathroom in at least 80% of the bedrooms, as well as the availability of breakfast in the room.

However, amongst things that do not figure in the criteria are the control of noise levels and the availability of internet access.

As a result, whilst most consumers have a clear recognition of the stars, few understand the criteria that apply to each of them. Most, therefore, choose on the basis of hotel reputation, rather than the star system.

The 'Logis de France' has developed a strong reputation for good value amongst international visitors, but their own star system does not correspond with that of the official classification.

Moreover, the French system bears no relation to the internationally recognised system of Five Star***** hotel classification. The French equivalent of a Five Star***** hotel would be Four Star Deluxe****.

Despite the obsolete nature of the system, the hotel industry has been reluctant to upgrade it for fear of the investment implications that would inevitably arise. To retain the present system is, therefore, a cost saving measure.

In the absence of a useful system, only 40% of the 30,000 hotels in France are part of the official classification system. The rest have adopted their own system, or sell beds on the basis of their reputation.

A review of the current system was launched by the government last year, but the proposals emerging from the review have been held over pending the outcome of the presidential elections.