A fundamental prerequisite for assessing the possibility of a category change (from 4 to 5 stars) is to understand (at least in general) the classification criteria used by the bodies in charge of this task. If the current reference legislation is the Dpcm of 21 October 2008In some cases, regional legislations have applied improved levels of classification, adding specific criteria to enhance the geographical and cultural peculiarities of the area.
Without prejudice to the minimum requirements and taking into account certain structural derogations (generally granted to buildings constructed or renovated before the regulations came into force, or to buildings of historical/artistic interest), the classification follows standards that take into account the structure, the size of the rooms and the services they provide, but also other services such as the frequency of cleaning and linen change, reception hours, breakfast, the presence of a restaurant... as one goes up the category, the services increase and the level of their provision is refined.
The requirements for four stars
According to current legislation, the following requirements are necessary for a hotel to have four stars:
- Reception for at least 16 hours;
- night service with concierge;
- luggage transport always ensured by an attendant;
- change of sheets, pillowcases and towels daily, unless the customer chooses otherwise in order to protect the environment;
- washing and ironing of returned linen within 24 hours;
- parking service for at least half of the units;
- at least two foreign languages spoken;
- afternoon tidying of rooms;
- armchair, minibar and Internet connection in all rooms;
- breakfast room;
- reserved area for meetings;
- air-conditioning throughout the establishment and adjustable by the customer in accommodation units at altitudes below 500 metres
..and those to go from 4 to 5 stars
The fifth star is earned by enhancing certain services according to the following criteria
- 24-hour reception
- at least three foreign languages spoken;
- restaurant service in a dedicated room;
- laundry washing and ironing with same-day delivery;
- reserved room for meetings;
- 24-hour parking service for at least 80% of the housing units;
- a reading or living room.
From 4 to 5 stars: what makes the difference?
In some regions, five stars may also add the designation 'luxury' when the facilities guarantee further qualifying requirements (linked to the size of the rooms and common areas as well as to the presence of sports facilities, park, swimming pool, private beach, excellence of service and particularity of the environmental context.
In Liguria, Emilia-Romagna, the Marches and Basilicata, the score may also depend on the assessment of the state of preservation of the facilities, both internally and externally. In the autonomous province of Bolzano, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto, on the other hand, the 'Superior' categories (generally applied to three four-star hotels.
A varied context
The result is a varied and sometimes complex context, with regulations that are constantly evolving, so much so that there is already talk of a draft decree that would include the development of spaces dedicated to the conference sector and an indication of the level of accessibility. In addition, a transnational classification system (Hotelstars Union) is emerging, to which hotel associations from numerous countries already belong.
The 'compass' to orient oneself therefore lies in the assessment of the category and the service and what is needed to improve it, taking into account national legislation (and its evolution), regional and local criteria and, of course, the validity of the assessment. The classification is in fact valid for five years and must be requested when submitting the SCIA to the SUAP of the municipality by self-declaration of possession of the requirements on forms prepared by the Region. An inspection will then verify the actual presence of the necessary requirements.
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