When you’re looking forward to your jolly, we know you want everything to be spot on.
Hotel star ratings are a great way to get that first look at a hotel’s facilities and service levels. Think of them as your first little sneak peek at the hotel's facilities and service levels before you hit ‘book’ ✈️
We’ve put this guide together to explain where these ratings come from, why they can vary, and how to use them to find the perfect place for you.
Where do they come from?
It’s important to know that On the Beach doesn’t choose or set the star ratings. Stars are typically awarded by local tourist boards, government bodies, or regional associations like the Hotelstars Union.
You might notice a hotel listed as a 4-star on one website, and 5-star somewhere else. This happens because some travel companies use their own, subjective grading system. At On the Beach, we only ever display the official local star rating to make sure you’re getting a consistent and transparent standard across our entire site ✔️
Why do they vary between destinations?
Because there is no universal rating system, star ratings will vary from place to place. A 4-star in Tunisia is based on Tunisian criteria, while a 4-star in Spain follows Spanish standards.
In short, a 4-star here might feel a little different to a 4-star there, so it’s always a good idea to look into your destination’s specific criteria for a clearer picture of what to expect 👀
Since every country has its own unique rules, the most reliable way to use these ratings is to compare hotels within the same destination 🏨
In many popular sun destinations, stars are often awarded based on a checklist of facilities. For example, a hotel might earn a fifth star because it has a gym, a sauna or a certain number of bars on-site 🍹
It doesn’t always mean the building is brand new or the décor is ultra-modern, but it does mean the hotel provides the high level of service and choice required by that destination’s awarding body.
How can I get the full picture?
We want you to have all the facts before you fly, which is why we’ve included independent reviews from Tripadvisor for the hotels on our website!
Using official star ratings alongside customer reviews and hotel descriptions is the ultimate combo to make sure you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Basically, a little look now = no surprises when you land 😎