CLASSIFICATION OF HOTELS ⋆ Archi-Monarch

Hotel classification refers to the systematic categorization of hotels based on specific criteria such as service quality, facilities, location, size, ownership, and target market.

These classifications help distinguish one type of hotel from another and provide a clear understanding of what guests can expect during their stay.

Hotel classification is crucial for both travelers and the hospitality industry. For travelers, it simplifies the decision-making process by offering a standardized way to compare accommodations.

For hotel operators and industry professionals, classification helps position the property in the market, attract the right clientele, and maintain service standards.

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1) Introduction

Hotels are classified into various star categories on the basis of facilities, amenities and services provided by them. Comprehensive guidelines for the star classification are prepared by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The guidelines for this classification are revised from time to time.

Hotel classification may vary from one country to another. Guidelines for the classification of hotels in India ensure that they meet international standards in facilities and services.

Although the five-star and four star hotels in India have been able to meet international standards, some of them do not figure anywhere on the global map.

The classification is valid for a period of five years from the date of approval of the chairman of Hotel and Restaurant Approval and Classification Committee (HRACC).

The entire list of hotels classified on the basis of star category is available on the Ministry of Tourism website which is updated time to time. This categorisation assists the tourists in selecting the hotel they would like to stay in.

HRACC

The Department of Tourism (Government of India) has set up a Hotel and Restaurant Approval and Classification Committee (HRACC) for awarding star categories to the hotel properties.

2) Star Categorisation

Hotels are an integral part of a tourist’s visit to a place. The services offered in a hotel can make or spoil a visit completely.

With the aim of providing standardised, world class services to the tourists, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has introduced a voluntary scheme called E-Classification, Approval and Occupancy of Hotels, which enables hotel owners to fill out the application online for getting their hotel classified.

i) Five Star Deluxe Hotels

These are the most luxurious hotels. These hotels are located primarily in metropolitan cities like New Delhi and major tourist destinations like Agra, Jaipur and Goa. It is the highest level of category of hotels in India.

General Features

The minimum size of the room excluding bathroom should be 200 sq. feet and the size of the bathroom should be 45 sq. feet.
All rooms, public area with seating facilities and various guest service areas to be air-conditioned.
One 24 hours multi-cuisine restaurant cum coffee shop, one speciality restaurant and 24 hours room service is must for Grade A cities and for the remaining cities, one 24 hours multi-cuisine restaurant cum coffee shop, 24 hours room service and speciality restaurant is desirable.
A bar is mandatory and the license should be obtained before applying for classification.
Having health-fitness, swimming pool and conference facility is necessary for this category of hotel.
Special room and facilities for differently abled guests.
Telephone facility, wifi connection, business centre, parking facilities and all communication facilities are necessary.
Having metal detectors, X-ray machine, positioning CCTV cameras, smoke detectors, first aid kit at front desk, and fire exits are part of the safety and security.
Sewage treatment plant, rain water harvesting, waste management, pollution control and non-use of CFC equipment are the eco-friendly practices which this category needs to abide by.

Note : Grade A cities include Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad/Secunderabad.

ii) Five Star Hotels

These are the second highest star category of hotels. These are further divided into 5 star with alcohol service and 5 star without alcohol service. These luxurious hotels are located in the big cities.

These hotels provide all the modern facilities for accommodation and recreation matching international standards in hospitality.

Some examples of these top luxury (5 star and 5 star deluxe category) hotels are Taj Lake Palace (Udaipur), The Leela Palace (Udaipur), The Taj Mahal Palace (Mumbai), The Oberoi Amarvilas (Agra), Taj Falaknuma Palace (Hyderabad), The Oberoi Grand (Kolkata), Umaid Bhawan Palace (Jodhpur), etc.

General Features

The minimum size of the room excluding bathroom should be 200 sq. feet and bathroom should be 45 sq. feet.
100 % rooms to be air-conditioned, public area with seating facilities and various guest services.
One 24 hours multi-cuisine restaurant cum coffee shop, one speciality restaurant and 24 hours room service for Grade A cities and for the remaining cities one 24 hours multi-cuisine restaurant cum coffee shop, 24 hours room service and speciality restaurant is desirable. Having a bar will not be mandatory for states in which alcohol is prohibited.
Health-fitness, swimming pool and conference facility is necessary for this category of hotel.
Special room and facilities for differently abled guests.

iii) Four Star Hotels

These are also luxurious and comfort hotels but lesser than 5 star deluxe and 5 star hotels, and are located in the bigger and medium cities.

General Features

The minimum size of the room excluding bathroom should be 140 sq. feet and bathroom should be 36 sq. feet.
100 % rooms should be air-conditioned, public area with seating facilities and various guest services.
One multi-cuisine restaurant cum coffee shop (07:00am to 11:00pm), one speciality restaurant and 24 hours room service for Grade A cities and for the remaining cities, one multi-cuisine restaurant cum coffee shop (07:00am to 11:00pm) and 24hours room service.
Special room and facilities for differently abled guests.
Telephone facility, wifi connection, business centre, parking facilities and all the communication facilities are necessary.
Having metal detectors, X-ray machine, CCTV, smoke detectors, first aid kit at front desk, and fire exits are part of the safety and security.
Sewage treatment plant, rain water harvesting, waste management, pollution control and non-use of CFC equipment are the eco-friendly practices which this category need to abide by.

iv) Three Star Hotels

These are usually economy class hotels located in the bigger and smaller cities and catering to the need of budget travellers.

General Features

The minimum size of the room excluding bathroom should be 130 sq. feet and bathroom should be 36 sq. feet.
50 % rooms should be air-conditioned, public area with seating facility, and various other guest services.
One multi-cuisine restaurant cum coffee shop (07:00am to 11:00pm) and 24 hours room service.
Special room and facilities for differently abled guests.
Telephone facility and parking facilities are necessary communication facilities.
Having metal detectors, CCTV, smoke detectors, first aid kit at front desk, and fire exits are part of the safety and security.
Sewage treatment plant, rain water harvesting, waste management, pollution control and non-use of CFC equipment are the eco-friendly practices which this category needs to abide by.

v) One and Two Star Hotels

These hotels are mostly available in the small cities and in particular areas of larger cities. Catering to the bag packer tourist traffic, these hotels provide all the basic facilities needed for general accommodation and offers low tariff.

One and two Star Hotels are the lowest of the star category of hotels.

General Features

The minimum size of the room excluding bathroom should be 120 sq. feet and bathroom should be 30 sq. feet.
25 % rooms should be air-conditioned, public area with seating facilities and various guest services are desirable.
Should have one dining room serving all the meals.
Special room and facilities for differently abled guests.
Communication facilities are desirable but not necessary for these two categories.
Having CCTV, smoke detectors, first-aid kit at front desk, fire exits are part of the safety and security.
Sewage treatment plant, rain water harvesting, waste management, pollution control and non-use of CFC equipment are the eco-friendly practices which this category needs to abide by.

3) Heritage Hotels

Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, defines Heritage Hotels as those hotels that have been converted into hotels from palaces, castles, forts, havelis, hunting lodges and residences of any size, prior to 1950.

The facade, architecture features and general construction should have the distinctive qualities and ambience in keeping with traditional ways of life of the area.

The architecture of the property to be considered for the category should not normally be interfered with. Any extension, improvement, renovation, change in the existing structures should be done keeping in mind the traditional architectural styles and contraction techniques harmonising the new with old.

In a Heritage Hotel, a visitor is offered rooms that have their own history, served traditional cuisine toned down to the requirements of international palates, is entertained by folk artists, can participate in activities that allow a glimpse into the heritage of the region, and can bask in an atmosphere that lives and breathes of the past.

Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur and the Oberoi Cecil in Shimla are examples of heritage hotels.

Heritage Hotels will be sub-classified in the following categories:

i) Heritage

As defined by the Ministry of Tourism, this covers the hotels built in or converted from the palaces, residences, havelies, castles, forts and hunting lodges built prior to 1950. The hotel should have a minimum of five rooms (ten beds).

ii) Heritage Classic

This category includes the hotels built or created in palaces, residences, havelies, castles, forts, and hunting lodges built prior to 1935. The hotel should have a minimum of 15 rooms (30 beds).

iii) Heritage Grand

This category consists of hotels built or created in palaces, residences, havelies, castles, forts and hunting lodges. The hotel should have minimum of 15 rooms (30 beds) and should provide at least two sports facilities as given in the guidelines and provide traditional as well as continental cuisine.

iv) Legacy Vintage Hotels

This concept has been introduced in addition to the heritage hotels as these help to recreate the era prior to 1950s.

As stated by the Ministry of Tourism, ‘hotels constructed with materials from heritage properties (i.e. properties or buildings which were built prior to the year 1950), provided that at least 50% of the material used to construct the hotel is sourced from heritage properties or buildings.’

These are further divided into three sub categories:

Legacy Vintage — Basic

It includes hotels which have materials sourced from structures prior to 1950. It should possess at least five rooms (ten beds). Traditional cuisine of the area is offered.

Legacy Vintage — Classic

It includes hotels which have materials sourced from structures prior to 1935. It should have minimum of 15 rooms (30 beds). Traditional cuisine of the area and a few dishes resembling continental cuisine are offered.