Department of Tourism, Government of India classifies hotels under the star system in our country. There is a committee known as Hotels and Restaurants Approval and Classification Committee (HRACC) which is headed by D.G. Tourism. It comprises representatives from the Hotel Industry, Travel Agents Association of India, Department of Tourism Ministry & the Principal of Regional Institute Of Hotel Management.
In the * Rating, 1* is the min rating and 5* deluxe is the max. rating. 5* deluxe is considered to be equivalent to 1st Class hotel by international standard. Once the hotel gets standard classification from HRACC they become eligible for various benefits and relief from the Government of India.
To be eligible to apply for classification the hotel must fulfill the following basic requirements.
Must have at least 10 lettable rooms which can be rented.
The carpet area of respective rooms and area of the bathroom should adhere to the following units : –
5 Star Deluxe & 5 Star hotels
Single Room – 180 Sq. Ft.
Double Room – 200 Sq. Ft.
Bathroom – 45 Sq. Ft.
4 Star Hotel & 3 Star Hotel
Single A.C. & Non-A.C. – 120 Sq. Ft.
Double A.C. & Non A.C. – 140 Sq. Ft.
The extra area may be provided if twin beds are provided in the room
Bathroom – 36 Sq. Ft.
2 Star and 1 Star Hotel
Single A.C. & Single Non-A.C. – 100 Sq. Ft.
Double A.C. & Double non A.C. – 120 Sq. Ft.
Bathroom – 30 Sq. Ft. (or subject to local by-laws)
All rooms should be provided with proper vitalization & ceiling fans. (2 Star and 1 Star hotel’s case)
General Features
5 Star category
- It must have at least 25 lettable rooms with attached bathrooms having modern shower chambers.
- Construction, locality, and architect of the hotel should have a distinct quality of a 5 Star hotel.
- All public & private areas should be centrally air-conditioned, carpeted, and equipped with high-quality furniture.
- There should be a well designed and properly equipped swimming pool having lifeguards in attendance.
- There should be adequate numbers of guest elevator & service elevator functioning 24 hrs. According to laws if more than 4 floors definitely lift should be there. Escalator also.
- There should be well-equipped ladies and gents cloakrooms and well designed and well-lit lobby area.
- There should be a reception, information, and a cash counter functioning 24 hrs and attended by highly qualified experienced staff members. Also at the cash counter 24 hrs money changing facility available.
- There should be a shopping arcade having a Flower Shop, Beauty Parlour, Barbershop, Book shop, Antique shop, and a recognized travel agency.
- Each room should be provided with a telephone having an STD & ISD facility. Also in the lobby, there should be pay telephones and house telephones
- There should be a provision of channel music in public and private rooms. Each room is provided with color T.V. and refrigerator.
- There should be well-equipped specialty restaurants serving different cuisines.
- There should be at least one bar or at least a permit room (whichever by law)
- Pantry & Cold storage facilities should be professionally designed.
- Hotels should offer both national & international cuisines and F&B Service should be of the highest quality.
- There should be professionally qualified, experienced trained staff members who are smart & courteous having good communication skills.
- 24 hrs room service & coffee shop service.
- 24 hrs service for telephone
- 24 hrs service for hot and cold running water.
- Provision for laundry and any cleaning services.
- There should be adequate parking facilities for guest cars.
- Each room is provided with a vacuum thermos flask with iced cold drinking water.
- H/k in the hotel should be of the highest standards. With a plentiful supply of clean linen, towels, and blankets which is of the highest quality.
- There should be a dancing facility in the restaurant of the hotel having light music, ghazals, etc.
- There should be a business center in the hotel.
4 Star Category
- Services provided in a 4 Star hotel are the same as in a 5 Star hotel except there is no provision for swimming, pool, and also 50% of guest rooms do not have guest baths.
3 Star Category
- The hotel must have at least 20 lettable rooms with at least 50% rooms AC and the rest of the rooms are well ventilated having a ceiling fan or air coolers.
- Facilities provided are similar to that of the 4 Star hotel.
2 Star Category
- At least 10 lettable rooms out of which 75% rooms must have attached bathroom having a modern shower chamber and rest of the rooms will have a bathroom for every four of the remaining rooms with modern sanitation and running cold water.
- There should be an adequate supply of hot H2O, soap, and toilet paper.
- 25% of rooms should be air-conditioned & all the rooms should be ventilated clean and comfortable. There should be a reception counter with a telephone and this is maintained by trained staff members.
- If all rooms are not provided with a telephone then each room should have a call bell and a telephone on each floor corridor.
1 Star Category
- Minimum 10 lettable rooms out of which 25% with attached bathroom and a bathroom for every 4 of the remaining rooms.
- At least 25% of the bathroom should have a W.C. with an adequate supply of hot and cold water.
- All the rooms should be properly ventilated & all rooms are provided with ceiling fans.
- Should be reception counter manned by trained staff members and a telephone for guest use.