Grouping hotels based on various criteria is known as classification.
Hotel classification serves the following purpose:
Lends uniformity in services and sets general standards of a hotel
Provide an idea regarding the range and type of hotels available within a geographical location
Acts as a measure of control over hotels with respect to the quality of services offered in each category.
Helps tourist select a hotel that meets their requirement.
CLASSIFICATION ON THE BASIS OF
Size
Location and clientele
Star
Ownership basis
Degree of service offered
ACCORDING TO SIZE
SMALL SIZED HOTEL: less then 100 rooms
MEDIUM SIZED HOTEL: between 100 to 299 rooms
LARGE SIZED HOTEL: between 300 to 599 rooms
VERY LARGE HOTEL: between 600 to 999 rooms
MEGA: more than 1000 rooms
ACCORDING TO LOCATION AND CLIENTELE
DOWNTOWN OR COMMERCIAL HOTEL
Location: heart of the city / commercial area or busy business area
Clientele: mostly business man
Facility: modern facilities like 24 hr coffee shop, room service, business centre, travel desk
Avg. duration of stay: 3 to 7 days
TRANSIT HOTEL
Location: near the port of entry like bus stand, railway station, airport, sea port
Clientele: mostly people who are traveling, layover passengers, tourist, misconnection passengers
Facility: moderate to modern facilities
Avg. duration of stay: few hours too few days
RESORT HOTEL
Location: places with natural beauty like hill station, sea beach, forest etc.
Clientele: mostly holiday makers and tourist
Facility: moderate to modern
Avg. duration of stay: a week too few months
MOTEL OR MOTOR HOTEL OR FREEWAY HOTEL
Location: on highways
Clientele: motorist, tourist travelling by road
Facility: moderate to modern facilities
Special features: parking space against each room
Refueling station
Garage facility
Swimming pool
Avg. duration of stay: mostly over night
SUB- URBAN HOTEL
Location: outskirts of the city or suburb
Clientele: who have to stay for a longer duration, away from the hustle and bustle of the city
Facility: moderate, budgeted
Avg. duration of stay: longer duration, months
FLOATEL
Location: lodging properties that float on the surface of water.
ACCORDING TO STAR CLASSIFICATION/ STANDARD CLASSIFICATION
The Star denotes the standards of the hotel. Department of tourism, govt. of India is responsible for the star gradation. An autonomous body (a committee) is responsible for star gradation of hotels known as Hotel and Restaurant Approval Classification Committee (HRACC), formed by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India. After receiving the application form from hotel HRACC visits the hotel, check the standards and grade the hotel. The Department of Tourism prescribes the facilities which are to be provided in various star category hotels. The term for Star Gradation is for two years. The six grades of star are 5*Deluxe, 5*, 4*, 3*, 2* and 1*. The categories of various star hotels have some criteria or facilities, which are called END.
E – Essentials (have to have)
N – Necessities (should have)
D – Desirables (may or may not have)
Following are the members of HRACC:
Secretary Tourism, Govt. Of India
Regional Director of Tourism, Govt. Of India
One representative from Federation of Hotels and Restaurants Association of India (FHRAI), who is generally the Secretary of the respective zone (of the four zones).
One representative of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), who is generally the Secretary of the concerned region.
Director of Tourism of the state concerned
Principal of the regional Hotel Management Institute.
(If any of the six members is absent on the day of visit, they are permitted to send their own representatives)
HOTEL STAR RATING GUIDE
ONE STAR
Typically small hotels , located near affordable attractions, with basic facilities, with a family atmosphere. Limited range and simple facilities and meals. Acceptable standards of maintenance, cleanliness and comfort
TWO STAR
Economy hotel, small to medium size hotel, located near moderately priced attraction. Guest can expect little more than a one star, like comfortable well equipped room with attached bath, professional staff.
THREE STAR
Moderate hotel, spacious accommodation, well equipped room and decorated lobbies, located near business areas, moderate to high price attractions, usually have medium size restaurant that serves breakfast through dinner. Facilities such as direct dial phone, toiletries, Room service, and pool are often provided.
FOUR STAR
First class hotel, large formal hotel, located near major attractions, above average service levels, more than one restaurant, 24 hrs room service, laundry, valet parking, travel desk, wellness center, pool, high class room décor.
FIVE STAR
superior hotel, high level of accommodation and service, large property, hotel lobby and rooms with stylish furnishing and linen, all modern and high end facilities and amenities, at least three restaurant, 24 hrs room service, concierge to assist you 24 hrs.
FIVE STAR DELUXE
Highest level of accommodation and service, this hotel provide all 5 star facilities like ultimate decor and high degree of personal service like butler service.
HERITAGE HOTELS
A recent addition to the hotel industry in the country, heritage hotels are properties set in small forts, palaces or havelis. In a heritage hotel, a visitor is offered rooms that have their own history, is served traditional cuisine, is entertained by folk artistes, get a glimpse into the heritage of the region. According to the ministry of tourism, the heritage hotels are further subdivided as follows:
Heritage – built between 1935 and 1950
Heritage classic - built between 1920 and 1935
Heritage grand - built prior to 1920
OWNERSHIP BASIS
PROPRIETARY OWNERSHIP / INDEPENDENT HOTEL: owners’ hotel
Proprietary ownership is the direct ownership of one or more properties by a person or company. Small lodging properties are owned by family and large properties are owned by major international hotel companies. No affiliations or contract with other property, No tie up with other hotels. Owner has independent control
Profit goes to the owner. Quickly respond to market changes. Work with limited finances
MANAGEMENT CONTRACTED HOTELS: management by others
Properties owned by individuals or partners, operated by external professional organization for management fee.
Adv. – international recognition, operating systems, training program, marketing, international expertise, profitable operations, advertisement, reservation system, staff.
CHAIN HOTEL: a group of hotels that are owned or managed by one company is called chain hotel.
Advantage: Large central organization providing central reservation system, management aids, financial strength, expertise, manpower, specialties, promotions
FRANCHISE HOTELS/ AFFILIATED:
It is the authorization given by a company to another company or individual to sell its unique products and services and use its trademark according to the guidelines given by the former, for a specified time and at a specified place.
Franchise owner (franchisor) grant another hotel (franchise) the right use its methods & system, technical services, marketing trademark, signs etc. for fees.
Advantage:
Opening assistance- architectural, interior designs
Systems and procedure
Staff training
Financial assistance
Advertising and global marketing
Central reservation
Central purchase
REFERRAL CHAIN:
A referral chain is made up of independently owned and operated hotel and provides shared advertisement, joint reservation system and standardized quality. Virtually there is no shared management or financial functions
TIME SHARE / VACATION OWNERSHIP/ HOLIDAY OWNERSHIP:
Each room is owned by several people for different time period. Each owner gets a stay of specific period for a number of years.
One time purchase is made by paying purchase price & payment of a yearly maintenance fee.
Generally located at dream sites like beaches, hill, waterfall etc.
Adv.- long term accommodation, comfort homes, economical, good location, international exchange possible.
CONDOMINIUM:
Joint ownership of a complex.
Type of accommodation where owner of a room or an apartment in a complex, of several such accommodations, furnishes it and informs the management of the times when he will be using it. He permits to rent out the apartments at other times and the rent goes to the owner. The owner pays the monthly maintenance fee.
DEGREE OF SERVICE OFFERED
UPMARKET/ LUXURY/ WORLD CLASS SERVICE HOTELS
Targeting the affluent segment of society, hotels in the up market category offer world class products with personalized service of the highest standards. The emphasis is on excellence and class. These hotels provide upscale restaurant and lounges, exquisite décor, concierge service, abundant amenities.
MID MARKET/ MID SEGMENT SERVICE HOTELS
These hotels offer modest services without the frill and personalized attention of luxury hotels, and appeal to the largest segment of travelers. They offer services such as room service, round the clock coffee shop, pick up drop, multi cuisine restaurant and bar.
BUDGET OR ECONOMY HOTELS OR LIMITED SERVICE
Focus on meeting the most basic needs if guests by providing clean, comfortable and inexpensive rooms. Hotels have clean and comfortable guest rooms, coffee shop, a multi cuisine restaurant, in room telephone and channeled music and movies, swimming pool, health club.
CLASSIFICATION ON THE BASIS OF CLIENTELE:
BUSINESS OR COMMERCIAL HOTEL: cater to the business traveller, generally situated in the city Centre.
TRANSIENT HOTEL: cater to the needs of people who are on the move and need a stopover en route their journey, situated in close proximity of ports of entry.
RESIDENTIAL HOTEL: cater to the guest who stays for a long duration.
CASINO HOTEL: casino hotel provide gambling facilities.
CONFERENCE HOTEL: hotel cater and organize conference
CONVENTION HOTEL: who organize convention and cater to the guest who comes to attend the convention.
SANATORIA: hotel which has health club and spa, and caters to the people who came to these spas for treatment.
CLASSIFICATION ON THE BASIS OF DURATION OF GUEST STAY:
COMMERCIAL HOTEL: duration of stay is short, usually 1-7 days
TRANSIENT HOTEL: duration of stay from few hours to 1 day
SEMI RESIDENTIAL HOTEL: duration of stay range from few weeks to some months
RESIDENTIAL / APARTMENT HOTEL: duration of stay range from months to few years
EXTENDED STAY HOTEL: duration of stay few days to weeks.
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