When researching hotels, I generally will choose only 4 star hotels or better. I am currently planning a trip to visit a town I used to live. I looked up the hotel where I intended to stay it was only a 2 star accommodation. I've stayed there before. It's a Holiday Inn and while nothing special, it's also not a dump. So, can anyone explain to me how the star system works?

Jim, there is no central star-assigning authority in the US. Unlike European countries, where the number of stars is linked to specific amenities, in the US it's as arbitrary as figure-skating judging. Depends on your guide book, and each guidebook spells out their criteria for stars in their introduction. Mobil has one system, AAA has another, etc. etc. And Fodor's has its own system.

And also remember that for some guides, notably AAA, the hotels have to cough up money just to be rated -- and notice if your guidebook accepts advertisements from the hotels it ranks. Conflict of interest? You bet.

So, Jim, _who_ gave that Holiday Inn the two stars - where did you "look it up"? Michelin? Mobil? What did the book say 2 stars meant?