From Budget-Friendly to Luxury: How Hotel Stars Work

When you're planning a trip, finding the right hotel can be challenging. Midsize and large cities usually have an assortment of options, so comparing them all would take too much time. Hotel ratings can help you narrow down your options to properties that work with your travel plans and budget.

Hotel rating systems normally range from one to five stars. A higher star rating indicates a more upscale hotel and a more expensive nightly rate. Once you know how hotel stars work, it makes the booking process faster and easier.

A note about hotel ratings systems

Before we get into hotel stars, it's important to note that there are many organizations that provide hotel ratings. They all have their own ratings standards.

This means there's no universally accepted definition of a one-star hotel, a two-star hotel, and so on. It depends on the rating system. Some hotels have different star ratings depending on which travel guide you look at (these hotels would undoubtedly prefer that you go by whichever guide gave them the highest rating). Even with the inconsistency between ratings systems, it's possible to come up with a general idea of what each star means.

How hotel stars work

Here what you can typically expect at a hotel based on how many stars it has:

• One-star: One-star hotels are a basic, bare-bones option. There likely won't be any extra amenities, such as a restaurant or pool. These are the cheapest hotels for travelers who only need a place to sleep, and quality can be lackluster.
• Two-star: Two-star hotels are a step up. The rooms are typically more comfortable than what one-star hotels offer, and there may be some on-site amenities. They still tend to be budget-friendly.
• Three-star: Three-star hotels provide a balance between amenities and affordability. They often have features to make your stay more enjoyable, such as a gym, restaurant, or room service.
• Four-star: Four-star hotels are much more upscale. They have high-quality designs, rooms, and amenities, with most having at least one on-site restaurant. Prices tend to be significantly higher for these hotels.
• Five-star: Five-star hotels are the most luxurious option. They're beautiful to look at, they're full of amenities, and the customer service is excellent. They're also expensive, with rooms at some high-end properties costing thousands of dollars per night.

Word to the wise: Don't assume a hotel has a certain amenity based on its star rating. Some ratings systems classify hotels based on the amenities they offer, but again, these ratings aren't always consistent. For example, I've read that five-star hotels have spas, but I've also stayed in five-star hotels without them. If you want to be sure a hotel has a specific amenity, double-check with the hotel itself.

How to choose a hotel

When you're on vacation, the hotel can make or break your travel experience -- and your budget. Now, I travel often, and I've stayed in hotels of every star rating. Yes, that includes one-star hotels when I was younger and had far less disposable income (and no travel points from my credit cards). Here's my advice for finding a hotel.

Start by narrowing down which types of hotels fit your travel plans. This is where star ratings can be a big help. Here's my recommendation for how many stars to look for depending on what type of accommodations you want:

• If you're looking for luxury or a very high-quality travel experience, stick to four- and five-star hotels.
• If you want a reasonable place to stay without breaking the bank, check out three-star hotels. Two- and four-star hotels could also be a match.
• If a low price is most important, try two-star hotels. You might also find three-star hotels that fit your budget. One-star hotels are the cheapest option, but they're often very low-quality properties.

Search for hotels with your brand or travel portal of choice. If you have a hotel chain where you want to stay, because you have elite status or points you can use there, start on its website. For example, I have a couple of hotel credit cards with Hilton, so I always look for Hilton properties first.

Otherwise, search for options through your favorite hotel booking site. Or, if you have any travel credit cards, see if the card issuer has a travel portal you can use. Many booking sites and travel portals give you the option of searching for hotels by star rating.

Compare your options and pick one you like. At this point, you have a list of hotels. Now, you can see what each hotel has to offer, and book the one you like the most. Here are a few of the features you may want to consider when comparing hotels:

• Rooms: See what's included in the room, and check the pictures to see if it looks comfortable for you.
• Location: Is the hotel close to major attractions and the activities you want to do? Is it located near public transportation, or will it be a chore to get around?
• Amenities: Make sure the hotel has all the amenities you want, such as a restaurant, pool, gym, parking, etc.

It's also smart to read some reviews, and especially recent reviews. By reading other guests' experiences, you can learn what the hotel is like and if there are any major issues, such as noise or uncomfortable mattresses.

Hotel stars are far from the only thing that matters when booking a place to stay. But they are useful for quickly getting an idea of the level of quality a hotel offers.