Who doesn’t dream of a five-star stay? Whether it’s a short holiday or a business trip, we all want to check into a hotel that promises to fulfill every desire for comfort, rest, and delight. But not everything that glitters is gold, and the five-star property we booked may not be exactly what we imagined. Conversely, there are four- and even three-star hotels that, despite their lower ranking, often exceed expectations.
The truth is, hotel stars don’t follow a universal standard. They vary from country to country—in Italy, even from region to region, sometimes from town to town. Some order was established with the decree of October 21, 2008, which defined classification based on services. For instance, a four-star hotel must offer rooms of at least 15 square meters, satellite TV, a minibar, Wi-Fi, a reception desk open for 16 hours, and staff who speak two languages. At the five-star level, rooms must be at least 16 square meters, reception must operate 24/7, and staff must speak three languages. Subtle differences that say little about the actual quality of service. Reality often tells a different story: at the same star rating, there’s a chasm between a chain resort with over a thousand rooms in Sharm el-Sheikh and a family-run boutique hotel on the Amalfi Coast.
Disappointments can also arise in unexpected ways: booking a stunning suite at a Jamaican resort, only to discover a runway just outside the window, or finding that a luxurious Sardinian hotel shares its entrance with a discount supermarket. These surprises—unpleasant and unpredictable—can sour an otherwise perfect holiday.
The uncertainty grows with the arbitrary creation of “seven-star” hotels, such as Aman Venice and a handful of others worldwide, lauded for their architecture, location, and exclusivity. The idea is glamorous—straight out of One Thousand and One Nights—but a quick Google search reveals they are officially still only five-star hotels. To gauge superior service, it’s often more useful to look for the letters “S” (Superior) for four-star hotels and “L” (Luxury) for five-star properties, both of which signal an upgrade within their category.
In short, in the vast and hazy universe of hospitality, there are no absolute parameters to rely on—and avoiding disappointment requires extra research. The simplest method is to check review websites. Here too, nothing is fully objective, but on platforms like TripAdvisor and Booking, the collective weight of reviews—once you filter out the extremes—offers a reasonably credible picture. Still, is it wise to rely solely on the opinions of an anonymous crowd with unknown backgrounds and tastes when booking what may be your only holiday of the year? Probably not.
Prestigious affiliations can help. Since 1928, Leading Hotels of the World has grouped together independent, often family-run properties that meet more than 800 strict criteria. Relais & Châteaux, founded in 1954, applies equally rigorous standards for hospitality, fine dining, and sustainability. In 2014, it even presented a manifesto to Unesco, pledging to reduce environmental impact through achievable goals such as eliminating single-use plastics, cutting energy consumption, and removing endangered fish from menus. Increasingly, travelers—especially the most discerning—prefer properties with a lighter footprint, provided comfort and service remain uncompromised. Small Luxury Hotels of the World has launched the Considerate Collection of eco-conscious hotels, while Regenerative Travel brings together resorts active in conservation and social initiatives.
Specialized travel journalists also offer valuable insight. Their hotel reviews should go beyond personal taste, telling the story of the property, its people, its investments, and its connection to the local community—while also conveying the atmosphere, that elusive quality which says so much about a place. The reader must then decide which voices and outlets best align with their lifestyle—and therefore with their idea of travel and hospitality.
Awards and recognitions provide another filter. For instance, Condé Nast Traveller’s Gold List (timeless favorites) and Hot List (new openings) are important both for hotels—because they’re trustworthy and published across nine countries from the U.S. to China—and for travelers seeking hidden gems, sometimes properties without even a star on their sign. On the other hand, the World’s 50 Best Hotels, now in its third year, are chosen by an expert panel of trendsetters, journalists, and seasoned travelers. The results don’t hold many surprises, but nor do they hide major disappointments. In 2024, Italy launched its first Best Luxury Hotel Award, with a panel of specialists selecting winners based on service, design, spa, dining, breakfast, and other core elements that truly shape a guest’s stay. Unsurprisingly, almost all the winners were five-star or five-star luxury properties. A reminder that while stars matter, they are not enough. They must be paired with certifications, awards, and reliable reviews—especially for travelers seeking something less predictable.
Published on sole24ore the 10th August 2025