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5 Star vs 4 star vs 3 star

SabresFan

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So it's a pretty common thing to ask about do you want 3 or 4 or 5 star resorts - but what does that mean? Besides 5 star is nicer than 3 star?

Like, can you give an example of what would turn a decent 3 star resort into a 4 star, and what turn a 4 star into a 5 star? (Or go in the opposite direction - downgrading from 5 to 4 to 3)

Since I'm sure location has something to do with it, maybe try to give examples of a 3, 4 or 5 star resort at some of the more popular places, like Orlando, Myrtle Beach, Las Vegas, Hawaii, etc.?

Like maybe here's the XYZ 3 star resort in Orlando - it doesn't have features 1,2,3 that the ABC 4 star resort in Orlando does have.

Thanks so much!
 

CalGalTraveler

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You can check the TUG reviews for ratings but here's a quick synopsis:

3+ star Grandview Las Vegas: Clean, simple (almost institutional) lobbies. Simple rooms and furnishings, basic appliances - comfortable. Away from the strip.

4+ Elara Hilton Grand Las Vegas: Grand Vegas style lobby, Vegas style upscale furnishings and deco, Views of the strip. Projection TV screen. Room service/food delivery.

Think about how different hotels rate to get an idea.
 

dayooper

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One of the things that I love about HGVC is the level of service. The workers are all trained to be very accommodating and very respectful in the manner when dealing with their guests. You need something, they got it and get it to you fast. Something broken? It's fixed or replaced at our convenience. We need information on where to go or what activities we may be interested in or even the best time to go to popular places. Many places don't have that level of service.

I love the ambiance of the HGVC resorts. The level of the surroundings and the atmosphere of the resort is another that brings it up to a 4 star for me. The pools/spas and, what they offer, both paid and free, in amenities also defines my ratings of places. I want newer beds, appliances and such. The bathrooms are also a big deal. I'm 6'7" and a former college offensive lineman (I'm a big dude) and I want spacious, highly appointed bathrooms and bedrooms. I don't lead an extravagant life, but my family and I like to be in nice places as we travel.

Its all about the experience and, even though where we stay is usually just a place to start our experiences from, it's part of the experience as a whole. When I rate resorts, these are the things I look at.
 

SabresFan

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You can check the TUG reviews for ratings but here's a quick synopsis:

3+ star Grandview Las Vegas: Clean, simple (almost institutional) lobbies. Simple rooms and furnishings, basic appliances - comfortable. Away from the strip.

4+ Elara Hilton Grand Las Vegas: Grand Vegas style lobby, Vegas style upscale furnishings and deco, Views of the strip. Projection TV screen. Room service/food delivery.

Think about how different hotels rate to get an idea.

Thanks for this. One thing that would affect ratings would also be the price people pay. For the same exact experience, I might rate them 5 stars if paying $100 a night but 4 stars at $200 a night and 3 stars (or worse) at $300 a night. So I'm thinking "you get what you pay for", and it's only fair to reflect that in your rating.

So comparing your two examples, the difference on TUG rating is larger than the difference on Trip Advisor. Unfortunately the TUG ratings are a much smaller sample size (I know people are trying to work on that).

TUG Rating for Elara - 8.54 on 29 reviews
TUG Rating for Grandview - 8.00 on 77 reviews

On TripAdvisor
Trip Advisor average rating for Elara - 4.31 on 7,546 reviews
Trip Advisor average rating for Grandview - 4.15 on 3,623 reviews

Your description is more valuable in distinguishing the two as 3 star or 4 star - simple lobby versus more lavish, better location, etc.
 

b2bailey

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Thanks for this. One thing that would affect ratings would also be the price people pay. For the same exact experience, I might rate them 5 stars if paying $100 a night but 4 stars at $200 a night and 3 stars (or worse) at $300 a night. So I'm thinking "you get what you pay for", and it's only fair to reflect that in your rating.

= = =

I don't think the above is ever a true statement.
A 2 star in Hawaii is still a 2 star -- but it happens to be in Hawaii which may cause you to consider going there if you really want to go to Hawaii.

I can't imagine giving Grandview a 3+ and definitely not a 4.
At the most, I'd give it 2+. It's just lacking in many ways. One step up from LaQuinta.

I'd give any of the Las Vegas Hiltons or Marriotts a 4. Perhaps I'm thinking their hotel level rating transfers over to timeshares.

There are several "5" hotels in Las Vegas, but I'm not sure if I'd rate any of the timeshares a 5. (and I've stayed in many).
 
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