“5-star hotels in Dubai are not the same as those in other areas,” says Cavendish Maxwell
Dubai: Is it time for the hotel industry to think beyond five-star ratings? The real estate company Cavendish Maxwell believes now is the right moment to introduce six- or even seven-star ratings.
“A 5-star hotel in Dubai and other parts of the Middle East is not the same as a hotel with the same rating in other parts of the world, especially for new properties,” said Gergely Balint, Associate Partner and hospitality real estate expert at Cavendish Maxwell.
“The same goes for 4- and 3-star hotels, which offer different levels of service and facilities depending on where they are located.” Interestingly, Dubai’s Burj Al Arab was unofficially called the “world’s first 7-star hotel” when it opened 30 years ago.
“That was maybe an early sign that we need to update the current rating systems,” said Balint.
“Times have changed. People no longer book hotels just for a sunny getaway or a business meeting. Tourism has grown to include wellness, adventure, experiences, sports, and volunteering. This not only adds variety to what hotels offer but also changes what travelers expect.”
“As a result, the current hotel star rating system is probably no longer suitable worldwide.” Hotel ratings were first created to help guests understand the quality and facilities of their chosen destination. Later, they became important for valuing hotel brands and properties.
Europe Uses Stars and the US Uses ‘Diamonds’:
Ratings are different around the world: Europe uses stars, while the US uses diamonds. New rating systems—like Booking.com’s stars and the Michelin Guide’s keys—have appeared, but “even these use different criteria in their rating methods,” says Cavendish Maxwell.
TripAdvisor’s bubble system looks at the overall guest experience, while Forbes Travel Guide examines the quality of facilities and level of service. The Green Star system only looks at sustainability, and the Crescent Rating system is only for halal-friendly hotels, giving them between one and seven crescents.
“Clearly, it is time for people in the hospitality industry to find a new way to rate hotels,” said Balint. “As a temporary first step, independent organisations could publish ‘equivalent’ ratings between different regions, similar to how ‘exchange rates’ work.”
“In the long run, international rating systems could slowly replace national ones, creating a standard set of rules that everyone involved would trust and understand. These changes will take time and require tough decisions that will have both winners and losers.”
