A 4-star hotel is not necessarily less qualitative than a 5-star hotel. The star system primarily indicates the presence of certain facilities and services, not the quality of the experience. We explain what the hotel classification really means in Belgium and Europe.
(Staff: Belgium / Tourism & Travel)
When looking for a hotel for your next holiday, the first thing you often look at is the number of stars. Many travellers assume that a 5-star hotel is automatically superior to a 4-star one. In reality, this is not the case. The star classification primarily indicates what facilities and services are available, not necessarily their quality. A 3-star hotel can offer a more pleasant experience than a 5-star hotel if the latter is in a less convenient location or has a less welcoming atmosphere.
What do hotel stars mean?
In Belgium, hotel classification is based on a points system, managed by the Hotelstars Union (HSU). The same system is used in around 20 European countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and Greece.
To receive a certain classification, a hotel must accumulate a certain number of points, awarded for a very detailed list of facilities and services. The classification is optional: a hotel may choose not to request an official evaluation and operate without stars. Once it receives a classification, the hotel is regularly checked to ensure it meets the criteria. These can be adjusted both upwards and downwards.
Minimum requirements for all hotels
Regardless of the number of stars, any hotel in Belgium must meet a number of basic requirements:
- A reception with staff physically present for at least 8 hours a day.
- 24/7 access to rooms for guests.
- Each room must have a bed, natural and artificial lighting, heating and a socket.
- At least 85% of rooms must have a private bathroom (with bath or shower, sink, mirror and toilet).
- Daily cleaning and changing of towels; bed linen must be changed at least once a week.
What does each star category offer?
The differences between categories appear through additional facilities. Here are some examples:
| Category | Examples of facilities and services |
|---|---|
| 1 star | 13 cm mattress, desk/table in room, continental breakfast, soap and shampoo in bathroom. |
| 2 stars | Extra towel, sewing kit on request, reading lamp next to bed. |
| 3 stars | 18 cm mattress, secure luggage storage, laundry and ironing service, wake-up service. |
| 4 stars | Lift (if hotel has more than 3 floors), lobby with seating and drinks service, sufficient coat hangers, bathrobe on request. |
| 5 stars | 24/7 reception, ironing service (within the hour), bathrobe in room, safe in room. |
The full list of criteria is much more detailed and can be consulted on the official websites of the regions: Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels Region.
Why can a 4 or 5-star hotel disappoint?
The main reason is that stars do not measure quality, only the presence of a service. A 5-star hotel must have a safe in the room, but this says nothing about the comfort of the mattress or the noise level in the room. Atmosphere, charm, design and location are also not evaluated by the star system.
A small, characterful hotel without an official classification can offer a much more authentic and pleasant experience than an anonymous 4-star hotel chain.
Classification differs from country to country
It is essential to know that the HSU system is not used in all countries. France, Italy and Spain have their own national classification systems, which can be very different. In addition, in some countries, such as Finland and Norway, there is no official star system. Therefore, a 4-star hotel in Spain or Turkey cannot be directly compared to a 4-star hotel in Belgium, as the criteria are different.
5 tips to avoid unpleasant surprises
To choose the best hotel for your needs, don’t rely solely on the number of stars:
- Set your budget. The highest price is not always the best choice.
- Choose the type of hotel that suits you. Do you prefer a small boutique hotel, a chain, a secluded location or a hotel in the city centre?
- Make a list of the facilities you absolutely need. Swimming pool, lift, parking, safe in the room – set your priorities before you start searching.
- Don’t just look at the number of stars. Also inquire about the location, atmosphere and services offered.
- Read online reviews. The experiences of other travellers can be very useful, as long as you read them with a healthy dose of scepticism.
Conclusion
The star system is a useful tool for understanding what facilities a hotel offers, but it is not an indicator of the quality of the experience. An unforgettable experience depends on factors such as location, atmosphere, personalised services and, above all, personal preferences. So, next time you are looking for a hotel, use the stars as a guide, but not as the only decision-making criterion.
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