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Benchmarking hotels Leading chains embrace star-rating system, but small boutique properties are reluctant Eighty four hotels, resorts and guesthouses nationwide have submitted to the Thai Hotels Association's (THA) initiative to grade and standardise their operations.Under the scheme, hotels and similar properties will be rated one to five stars based on three fundamental factors: construction and facilities, maintenance, and services. The association said several properties have applied for two- to five-star ratings, but there have been no applicants in the one-star category so far. According to criteria laid down by THA, guests at a five-star hotel can expect at least 30-square-metre room space, a four-foot wide bed, a minimum 20-inch 12-channel TV, refrigerator, mini-bar and telephone. Even the bathroom hasn't been overlooked: it must have weighing scale and telephone. Other qualifications are: five-star properties must at least have three types of suites, restaurants serving Thai and international cuisines, a fitness centre with regulation equipment, steam and massage rooms, swimming pool, fully functional boardroom, four small meeting rooms, and lastly, sound security. Even budget travellers, who usually stay in guesthouses that at best merit one-star rating, can look forward to a better deal. THA has set the following benchmark for one-star properties: room space at least 10 square metres with standard single bed (three feet wide), table set, mirror, and they must provide guests towel and tissue paper - that are the bare essentials. Although the grading system is not legally binding, hotel chains such as Accor, Central, Dusit, Imperial and Amari have gladly embraced THA's initiative by submitting their applications. Malaysia Hotel off Sathorn and Rama IV roads in Bangkok is designated two stars. "Most hotels set high prices to claim more stars. Their failure to sell over-priced rooms results in price war later," Sitthiporn Hanyanand, its deputy general manager said. The grading of hotels, he added, would help everybody in the tourism and travel business. Tourists can compare rack rates and decide what suits them most, while travel agents, airlines and hotels can design packages to fit the diverse needs of discerning travellers. Supanit Vimooktanon, deputy general manager of Pathumwan Princess Hotel which has four-star rating, echoed similar sentiments, adding that more hotels were waiting to join the scheme, pending upgrade of facilities and services to standards set by THA. However, not everybody agreed with THA, especially small hotels offering superb service and ambience but lacking in certain area, such as facilities, who argued that the criteria THA had used to classify hotels was not practical, if not flawed outright. Luxurious beach properties in the South were a good example. Many boutique resorts with excellent decoration and service were denied three- or four-star ratings because they didn't have a business centre, meeting rooms, fitness centre or restroom for handicapped and disabled guests. "I think the criteria used in the classification of hotels is not sound," a hotelier in Krabi, who asked not to be named, lamented. Bangkok Post October 2005 www.bangkokpost.com |