Holidays: stars, online reviews, prices... How to choose the right hotel?
Vacation often means accommodation! Among the many options available, hotels remain a classic choice. When booking, we tend to look at prices, online reviews, and, of course, the star rating. But did you know that a hotel with no stars doesn't necessarily mean a low-end establishment?
Contrary to popular belief, star ratings are not mandatory for hotels. To obtain between 1 and 5 stars, the hotelier must apply to Atout France, the organization responsible for awarding this official rating.
And many hotels choose to do without it. In France, more than 4,000 establishments are not classified, according to the General Directorate for Enterprises. This represents nearly a quarter of the hotel sector.
Why this choice? There are two main reasons: Some hotels are difficult to rank because their design, location, or the quality of their personalized service do not meet standard ranking criteria. The process of obtaining a ranking can be lengthy and costly, which can lead to an increase in the price per night.
As a result, some establishments prefer to let customers speak for themselves. Online reviews left on Google, Booking.com, or Tripadvisor have become their primary showcase. It's a new indicator of quality, immediate and accessible to all... But beware of fake reviews: you still need to remain vigilant!
Furthermore, if you are sensitive to environmental issues or accessibility, there are reliable labels to guide you: Tourisme & Handicap guarantees the accessibility of places; The Green Key, EarthCheck or the European Ecolabel promote ecological commitments; Accueil Paysan promotes rural, simple and welcoming tourism. You can find these labels directly on the websites of tourist offices, such as: visiterlyon.com ; marseille-tourisme.com ; toulouse-tourisme.com
A good way to find a hotel that suits you, regardless of its star rating. And if I prefer to book a hotel with a rating, are there any tips for finding the best value for money? There's nothing better than travel guides for this! We sometimes forget about them, but they're full of great places to suit all budgets, tested by professionals.
The Guide du Routard and Le Petit Futé list establishments according to their price range, and add pluses (or minuses) depending on the services: acceptance of animals, air conditioning, kitchen, accessibility for people with reduced mobility, etc. In short, a good way to avoid unpleasant surprises... and perhaps stumble upon a little gem!
RMC
