Ever wondered who decides between five star hotel ratings, and four star hotel ratings. Those little stars beside a hotel are supposed to denote prices, amenities, service etc. However, there is not a standardized star rating system in many countries. From country to country, the amount of stars, ranking system, etc.. will all vary. Furthermore, even within a particular country, the star rating system is inconsistent.

In the United States, several organizations, web sites, travel agencies, and independent’s rate hotel’s. All of these entities use different criteria in their rating system. A 5 star hotel in one travel guide, may be a 3 star hotel in another guide.

Typically, a 5 star hotel has the most amenities, services, and luxury setting. However, a small spa, with private butlers, limo service, chef, etc.., could be deemed a four star (under some rating systems,) simply for lack of an elevator. A five star hotel rating is generally reserved exclusively for the high end chain and boutique hotels. On the other hand, hotels can be deemed five star, by many rating bodies, based on thing’s the consumer really does not care about- like taxes paid.

Over the last ten years, there has been an ever increasing move toward online hotel reservation services. From one booking company to another, a hotel may vary up to two stars. So, look for a site that offers an explanation on what data they base a five star hotel rating on. Nearly all online hotel reservation sites will provide a tab for “services”- restaurants, pool, gym, internet, spa, room service, limo service, bedding, maid service, décor, concierge, etc. The consumer is the real judge of what a 5 star hotel is!

Lookout smokers The Wall Street Journal reports, if you are staying in a non-smoking hotel room you better not light up you might be fined $250.00 if caught.”Last week, Sheraton and Four Points by Sheraton, divisions of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Walt Disney Co.’s Inc., announced all of its North American properties will have a $200 smoking charge when the brands become 100% nonsmoking at the end of 2008. Walt Disney World Resort hotels started applying a new smoking charge of as much as $500 in June 2007, when the brand became totally nonsmoking. Swissotel Chicago started charging $175 for smoking in a nonsmoking room in the beginning of 2007 but raised the charge to $250 when it announced a 100% nonsmoking policy in December.

As promised the one-year-old St. Regis Fort Lauderdale stopped operating on August 11th and a Ritz-Carlton has slid in and taken its place.

From the official press release:

The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale opened August 11, 2008 as the Gold Coast’s newest oceanfront luxury hotel and the 10th Florida hotel for the company named by The Luxury Institute as “The Most Prestigious Luxury Brand.”

Envisioned by legendary architectural firm Arquitectonica and hospitality interior design leader Hirsch Bedner Associates, the 24-story, dramatically tiered and glass walled hotel has sweeping curves that are reminiscent of a grand luxury liner.

Pretty much everything else in the 192-room hotel has remained the same, minus the St. Regis branding everywhere. Even the Cero restaurant, the Wine Room and the spa are still intact. Only thing missing? The St. Regis butler service.

Rates are currently starting at $259 a night.