Official Hotel Guide Classification System Guidelines

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Official Hotel Guide Classification System Guidelines

Hotels listed in the Official Hotel Guide are classified on the basis of available material at our disposal. It must be stressed that personal inspections for the purpose of classification are not made in most of the establishments listed. While the principal sources used in determining classifications include reports from representatives, local and regional organizations, etc., the editors must rely heavily on personal judgement, as well as on confidential reports and reactions from our subscribers. Every effort is made to establish classifications that are accurate and fair. However, they only represent the opinion of the editors and are exclusively for our subscribers’ information, serving as a general guide, and not to be used for any other purpose. Due to differing standards in each country, state, or region, hotels are classified in many instances on the basis of what is available, not on a universal standards system.

Official Hotel Guide Classification System

• Superior Deluxe: An exclusive and expensive luxury hotel, often palatial, offering the highest standards of service, accommodations and facilities – Elegant and luxurious public rooms – A prestige address – Establishments in this category are among the world’s top hotels.
• Deluxe: An outstanding property offering many of the same features as Superior Deluxe – May be less grand and offer more reasonable rates than the Superior Deluxe properties, yet in many instances may be just as satisfactory – Safe to recommend to most discriminating clients.
• Moderate Deluxe: Basically a Deluxe hotel, but with qualifications – In some cases, some accommodations or public areas may offer a less pronounced degree of luxury than that found in fully Deluxe properties – In other cases, the hotel may be a well-established famous name, depending heavily on past reputation – The more contemporary hotels may be heavily marketed to business clients, with fine accommodations and public rooms offering Deluxe standards in comfort, but with less emphasis on atmosphere and /or personal service.
• Superior First Class: An above average hotel – May be an exceptionally well-maintained older hotel, more often a superior modern hotel specifically designed for the first class market, with some outstanding features – Accommodations and public areas are expected to be tastefully furnished and very comfortable – May be a good value, especially if it is a commercial hotel – May be recommended to average clients and in most cases will satisfy the discriminating ones.
• First Class: A dependable, comfortable hotel with standardized rooms, amenities and public areas – May have superior executive level or wing – May be safely recommended to average clients not expecting Deluxe facilities of special services – Should also be satisfactory for better groups.
• Limited-Service First Class: A property offering full first-class quality accommodations, but limited public areas, food service and facilities – Usually moderate in size, the hotel often utilizes a residential scale and architecture and many offer complimentary breakfast and evening cocktails in the lobby or in a small, informal restaurant – Geared to the individual business/pleasure traveler.
• Moderate First Class: Essentially a First Class establishment with comfortable but somewhat simpler accommodations and public areas – May be lacking in some features (e.g., restaurant) – Some of the rooms or public areas, while adequate, may tend to be basic and functional – Usually suitable for cost-conscious clients.
• Superior Tourist Class: Primarily a budget property with mostly well-kept, functional accommodations, some up to First Class standards – Public rooms may be limited or non-existent – Often just a place to sleep, but may have some charming or intimate features – May be good value – Should satisfy individuals (sometimes even discriminating ones) or groups on a budget.
• Tourist Class: Strictly a budget operation with some facilities or features of Superior Tourist Class, but usually no (or very few) Fist Class accommodations – Should not be recommended to fussy or discriminating clients.
• Moderate Tourist Class: A low-budget operation, often quite old and may not be well maintained - Should only be used in a pinch if no others are available – Clients should always be cautioned what to expect.

A Note On Unclassified Hotels: It is the policy of the Official Hotel Guide to classify hotels based on a comprehensive body of information encompassing a selection of reliable sources and contacts. If, however, that information is insufficient, incomplete or in any way ambiguous, a hotel may be listed without classification, but this is in no way reflects negatively on the property. Additionally, with certain exceptions, condominium properties, Bed & Breakfast (B&Bs) and small inns are not classified as they do not conform to our classification guidelines. Unauthorized reproduction and willful infringement may result in criminal and /or civil prosecution of the infringing party or parties. Reed Elsevier, Inc. has used its best efforts in collecting and preparing material for inclusion in the publication but does not warrant that the information therein is complete or accurate, and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in the work, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause.