Can someone explain the subtle differences in how the french rate their hotels? Merci.

There was a very complete thread about this here once before and you could probably find it doing a search. But the simple answer is that the ratings are set according to the ammenities they have, and have nothing to do with quality of those.<BR>In other words a certain number of rooms have to have private baths to be a two star rather than a one star. I believe all rooms must have private baths to be a three star. There must be a full service restaurant to be a four star -- certain things like that.<BR>Nobody says the baths have to be clean or modern, and no one says the food in the restaurant has to be fit to eat. So it is often a mistake people make that they think the more stars, the better the quality of the hotel.

In many years of travelling around Europe, the most disgusting hotel I've ever stayed in was a two-star hotel in Marseille. The room and the bathrooms were filthy and I was glad to get out as soon as I could the next morning. The star rating is based on the size of the rooms, the number of bathrooms, the width of the corridors and things like that, but has nothing to do with the quality or service. I very rarely book hotels in advance, partly because I prefer to have a flexible itinerary, and partly because the only way to really judge a hotel is to see what it looks like.

Additionally, I think a 3 star has to have an elevator whereas a 2 star does not. My favorite little hotel in the 6th is a 2 star; loads of charm, etc.

as others have said<BR>the ratings, which are issued by the government, have nothing to do with subjective issues like &quot;pretty&quot; decor or<BR>&quot;convenient&quot; location or &quot;comfortable&quot; rooms. That's the sort of info you need to find on message boards like this one, or in guide books.<BR><BR>I've read that the star ratings also affect the taxes that the gov't charges, so a worthy hotel might prefer not to try for 3 stars rather than 2.<BR><BR>Also, a rule of thumb is that it's often better to get the best room in a 2-star rather than the worst room in a 3-star, assuming they are priced similarly. Just make sure that if you need an elevator or private bath, or require air conditioning, that you inquire in advance.

grandmere:<BR><BR>What is your favorite little two star in the 5th?<BR><BR>JoeG

In my experience even 3-star hotels vary considerably in amenities and quality. Even the price can vary a lot.<BR><BR>For example, in Paris the Kleber is at one end of the 3-star spectrum while the Acacias St. Germain is at the other.<BR><BR>If I were seeking air conditioning, I would look at hotels that had 3 stars first, but I certainly would not exclude the 2 star ones either. <BR><BR>I tend not to look at the numbert of stars but the price and the amenities list. True, the list per se says nothing about quality, but I think you can safely assume that a 4-star property is going to be much better, and more expensive than a 1=star, but the boundary between 2 and 3 is often blurred with considerable overlap.<BR>I don't know of a reliable way to tell except by experience or the opinion of someone you know.<BR><BR><BR>

JoeG, my favorite little 2 star is in the 6th, Hotel du Lys, on rue Serpente. You asked about 5th? Don't have one there!

grandmere,<BR><BR>Sorry, I meant to say &quot;6th&quot;. <BR>Thank you for sharing.<BR><BR>JoeG

I've also read somewhere that hotels may upgrade say from a 2 to a 3 but do not notify the govt. because they will be taxed heavier. The higher the star the higher they are taxed so a 2 star after remodel may be as comfortable as a 3 star but remain listed as a 2 star.<BR>Anyone else heard this??

Around the rue St. Charles (15e), I noticed that there was a 40 to 50 euro price differential between a two star and a three star hotel.

Hi<BR><BR>the above comments are accurate.<BR>It is based on a very objective rating system.<BR><BR>However there is a huge difference between :<BR><BR>1)A globally branded 2* hotel in an industrial estate, near the airport<BR><BR>2)Another 2* hotel in an historic building, which has been run as a hotel for 4 generations in a small town centre, where the owners come and try and chat at the table after dinner.<BR>They may well introduce you to the butcher who provides the meat, &quot;Mr le vin&quot; who made the wine etc.<BR><BR>I know which 2* hotel I prefer !<BR><BR>Peter<BR><BR>http://tlp.netfirms.com<BR><BR><BR> <BR><BR>

You do not have to have a full service restaurant to have 4 stars in France.<BR><BR>It is based on amenities as that term is used very broadly (it does include size of rooms and windows and things, also, I think) but some things rated do affect the &quot;quality&quot; and comfort of the hotel in my opinion, and I have found them to be fairly accurate in terms of level of quality and reliable measures.<BR><BR>I have stayed in 2* hotels but 95 pct of them definitely were not the quality of any of the 3* hotels I've stayed at in France. I certainly pay attention to them and use them to narrow my hotel search unless I know something in particular about a hotel rated differently than one would expect.

To Bob Brown,<BR>You said:<BR>For example, in Paris the Kleber is at one end of the 3-star spectrum while the Acacias St. Germain is at the other.<BR>Which is good one and which is bad the bad one?

For Gino. In the past I have expressed my opinion about the Acacias St. Germain. The lobby reception area is grungy, pretty much a desk sitting in a hallway. Our room was very small and awkwardly set up. My wife and I found that if one of us needed to move about the room, the other had to lie on the bed to give space for movement.<BR><BR>I had a personality conflict with the head lady. Nothing struck sparks, but I felt ill at ease around her. <BR><BR>I will say this in her favor. She tried very hard to find a room for several clients who did not have one. And she spoke English well. In fact, she told me it was her &quot;mother tongue.&quot; <BR><BR>The Kleber is expensive, 180 e in high season for a double room, but the furnishing are nice. <BR>It is air conditioned whereas the Acacias is not.<BR>