Five-star hotels are known for luxurious experiences and dazzling amenities. But most people don’t stay at luxury hotels, let alone know if there’s any real difference between the five-star experience and a two or three-star hotel.
According to former Forbes contributor Neil Patel’s 2016 breakdown of why he only stays in five-star hotels, the employees of luxury hotels are extremely accommodating with great staff, great laundry service and excellent amenities.
People who live in South Florida are some of the luckiest when it comes to five-star hotel options, as Miami has more five-star hotels than Los Angeles, Bangkok, Shanghai, Washington D.C. and Rome.
Here’s what kind of service you can expect from a five-star hotel and where Miami ranks worldwide for number of five-star hotels in one city. What is the criteria for a 5 star hotel?
According to the Five Star Alliance, hotels that earn five stars are properties that offer guests “the highest levels of luxury through personalized services, a vast range of amenities, and sophisticated accommodations.”
There isn’t a quantifiable, standard rating system for hotels and properties that earn five stars by meeting or exceeding the alliance’s sky-high expectations for comfort, decor, and luxury. But there is a list of qualifications longer than the Bible that the Five Star Alliance measures hotels against to rate them and it’s split into three categories: service, in-room amenities and comfort.
“Five-star hotel employees should be polite, attentive, discreet, and can anticipate guests’ needs,” the Five Star Alliance’s website says. “All-in-all, consistently flawless excellence is the expectation.”
These are the requirements for a 5 star hotel
“Though a luxury hotel may share many five-star hotel characteristics, a true five-star hotel should satisfy all these criteria,” the alliance’s website says.
Service:
Standalone concierge staff available at least 16 hours a day
A high staff-to-room ratio — ideally above 2.5
Multilingual staff
24-hour reception, room service, valet parking, butler, doorman
Nightly turndown
Easy communication with hotel staff — even via text or app
Daily housekeeping that is also available upon request at any time
Laundry, ironing, dry cleaning, and shoe polishing
Guest elevators separate from staff elevators
Medical Team and resources on call
Luggage storage in which bags are out of guest view
Fine dining restaurant(s) and a standalone lounge and/or bar
Transfers and executive or house car
Childcare options including vetted babysitting service
Pre-check-in registration and preferences
Local products and services, especially for dining
In-room amenities:
Luxurious robes and slippers
Electric safe
Laundry bags
Full-length mirror with lighting
Flat-screen TV with international programming
Outlets for personal electronics, especially multiple plug and socket types (USB)
Smart TV features with access to streaming services
Stocked mini bar (with cocktail and wine accessories)
Selection of daily newspapers
Wifi (highest speeds, multi-device)
Specialty night lighting
At least four types of spa treatments
Digital room key entry
Electronic travel converters and adapters
Comfort:
Guest rooms must be plush and inviting — especially the bed (ideally, there is a memory foam bed with high thread count sheets)
Pillow menu
Blackout shades
Bathrobes, slippers, luxury toiletries, and large fluffy towels
Night lighting in walking areas and bathrooms
Yoga or fitness equipment available for use in-room
Poolside daybeds, umbrellas, lotions, ice water, attendants, and food and beverage service
Which U.S. city has the most 5 star hotels?
According to WorldAtlas, there are two cities in the U.S. that rank in the top five cities worldwide that have the most five-star hotels. New York and Miami both rank in third and fifth place, respectively.
Here are the top 10 cities in the world with the most five-star hotels, according to WorldAtlas:
London, 75 five-star hotels
Dubai, 61 five-star hotels
New York, 59 five-star hotels
Paris, 56 five-star hotels
Miami, 46 five-star hotels
Los Angeles, 39 five-star hotels
Bangkok, 33 five-star hotels
Shanghai, 33 five-star hotels
Washington D.C., 32 five-star hotels
Rome, 32 five-star hotels
Which Florida city has the most 5 star hotels?
Miami is the city with the most five-star hotels in Florida.
Miami boasts multiple Ritz-Carlton locations in its metro area, the famous Fontainebleau Miami Beach – situated on Millionaire’s Row – and over 40 other luxury hotel options in the city.
If you want to splurge on a five-star hotel experience before Miami’s hotels fill with snowbirds after Thanksgiving, TripAdvisor has a list of the five best five-star hotels in Miami here.
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