TRAVEL/HOTEL SPECIAL..What is in the stars?

What is in the stars? 

The facilities in three-star hotels across the world are different from the ones in India. Find out how to get value for your money by going through the hotel classification criteria in popular overseas destinations.

According to the latest Hotel Price Index report by Hotels.com, Indians like to frequent Bangkok, Dubai, London, Kuala Lumpur and New York, which rank among the top 10 outbound hotspots.

FIRST THEN IS THAILAND

Thailand
The hotel classification in this country has been laid down under the Tourism Industry Standards Development Project by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

• The double rooms in three-star hotels have to be no less than 22 sq m, including the bathroom. This is more spacious than the nearly 16 sq m requirement for Indian three stars.

• The bed size has to be at least 3 ft x 6 ft, so if you are really tall and want a good night’s sleep, look for a five-star hotel.

• While a dressing table and chair, and wardrobe are mandatory, don’t expect a coffee table, sofa or even an armchair in this hotel category.

• As per the Thai hotel classification system, amenities like a mini-fridge and safety box only need to be available in 50% of the total number of hotel rooms to qualify for the three-star tag. If you can’t do without these, make sure you contact the reception and specifically ask for a room boasting these.

• You’ll get a hair dryer, but niceties such as in-room coffee makers and complimentary tea bags, bathrobes, slippers and highspeed Internet access are luxuries limited to four- and five-star hotels.

• Unlike the Indian three-star requirement of one bath towel, face towel and daily replenished soap cake per guest, the hotels in Thailand pamper more. Expect basic toiletries and more towels in each room.

• Don’t be shocked if your room has an archaic 14-inch colour TV sans a remote control.

• The hotel has to have one restaurant within its premises.

• You are entitled to two complimentary bottles of water per room per day, but if you can’t do without a 24-hour room service, be prepared to shell out more for a higher rated hotel.  

SUSHMITA CHOUDHURY AGARWAL ETW120618