To not want to stay in a 3 star hotel

[Cheekycheeky12]

Am I being really snobby, anybody stayed in a 3 star hotel? Looking for holidays for the summer and not used to the summer holiday prices as my daughter is now in year 1, DH says I’m being ridiculous and should just appreciate a holiday.

We stayed in a stunning hotel in Venice called Hotel Sant’Antonin, I couldn’t believe it was only 3 stars!

As others have said the stars are not to do with service. They are to do with facilities: so you need a conference room or something to be 5 star.
I used to review hotels (holidays really). I’ve stayed in 2 or 3 star places that are significantly better than 5 star places.

This. I pay zero attention to stars and look at facilities available and trip advisor.

I usually go for 3 star because that's what is within my budget. They are usually basic but clean. I always check reviews My main points to look for are cleanliness comfy beds, a decent breakfast and a bar for the evening and no smoking in the hotel. I couldn't believe the amount of hotels in Blackpool that have smoking and non smoking rooms. I would rather have no smoking in the hotel at all.

Wow, I didn't realise so many people would refuse to stay in 3 hotels! I'm used to holiday lets but have stayed in a few nice 3 hotels and some exceptional 4/5* hotels too. As others have said, whether the hotel is any good will depend on the cleanliness and the facilities available,

When were you last in Blackpool? I don't think you have to worry about smoking rooms now.

Everyone is being very disingenuous when they clam that there is no difference between quality of a 3 star or a 5 star.

Yes they are sometimes graded on whether there's a spa or minibar but it is also often true that you get what you pay for. 2 and 3 star accommodation is cheaper. It's cheaper because it's not as modern, or not as well furnished, or the food isn't as good, or there are fewer facilities, or it's in a less nice area, or it hasn;t been updated for decades, or there aren't as many staff and a whole host of other reasons. There is nothing wrong with a Premier Inn for a night or two, but I'm not spending my whole 2 weeks holiday in one thanks.

A 3 star would have to be very special indeed to get me to book. Usually we look at 4 and 5 star and at the tripadvisor ratings.

Also when booking other types of accommodation the star ratings may vary. Sykes cottages uses these ratings - www.sykescottages.co.uk/tick-and-star-rating.html - nothing to do with facilities. 2 star is "well presented", 4 star is "excellent" and 5 is "exceptional". I am another person who is not spending my holiday somewhere not as nice as my house.

I wouldnt pay much attention the the rating. I've stayed in 5 hotels that were absolute dumps. In fact, the first time I had food poisoning it was at a 5* hotel.

I don’t spend a lot of time in my hotel usually.
I often choose a 3 star option - ibis styles or the like although I could afford to spend more but instead prioritise activities & nice food.
I look for reviews stating the rooms are clean and modern.

My parents were wealthy. Growing up i always stay in suite 5 star hotel. Now i’m married. I couldn’t afford to stay in 5 star hotel. We often stay in travelodge 🤣🤣. But i don't mind. Tryst me if you go holiday with your loved ones it will be fun no matter where you stay.

stay in 5 star hotels are nice but i never remember the hotel, i only remember the memory i spent with my parents.

Where are all these beautiful luxurious 3 stars? I don’t believe they exist.

I don’t choose based solely on star rating - I’ve stayed in a 5 star hotel in Italy where it was clear the star rating was based on facilities like conference rooms where the hotel itself hadn’t been updated since the 1980s and the rooms had a super cheap plywood desk with a corkscrew attached on a chain which def didn’t give off a 5 star vibe!! I take much more notice of reviews.

I stayed in a 1* in St David's. It was lovely.
I know a brilliant 2* in Venice.
Oban Youth Hostel is nice.

Star ratings are based on amenities not the quality of hotel. Red herrings.

I never thought so either I thought it was a fire hazard. We used go for a few days over the summer. Last went summer 2020 when restrictions were eased. I want somewhere central as I don't drive.

Most the hotels I looked at had a choice of smoking and non smoking rooms so it is still a thing. We've not been back since 2020 just because of covid and how packed it gets. Looking at booking a lodge with a hottub this year and just enjoy the outdoors.

I was going to say youth hostels too! Or even independent hostels or glamping pods.

I can't stand hotels and their poky rooms/standardised bed covers/lack of privacy/space. I accept I'm an anomaly but its either a Friday - Monday in someone's house or quite often a youth hostel or pod or AirBnB for me. I can't see the point in paying loads of money for a week or 2 in a hotel or the merits of a Junior Suite over an Executive Suite. I've stayed in a couple of really fancy ones and tbh I struggled to find all that much difference except the way the staff treat you.

Anyway, its your money OP and I hope you enjoy your holiday wherever you choose.

I’d stay in a 3 star hotel for a weekend city break or for an overnight for an event, but for a week or more holiday, I’d want better, and with a small child, I’d go self-catering.

Have also often stayed in university accomadation- London, Oxford, Cambridge, Bath and St Andrew's all let out student rooms in lovely buildings in the summer holidays.

I don’t know the hotel but looking at pictures on their website I wouldn’t stay there
It looks off. Like they are trying to stage flashy pictures but when you see the whole room it looks dated.

Growing up we never really went on holiday if we went somewhere there was always a business angle behind it but if we did on the odd occasion stay in a hotel it was always the cheapest and nastiest place and my family always called me a snob for wanting better.

I now would stay at home rather than go to a crap place no matter how clean it is.
Clean is a minimum. My house is clean. When I am on holiday and paying for the privilege I want more.

The best hotel based holiday I've had was a two star apartment/ hotel in Greece with spotless rooms with balcony's overlooking sea, pristine quiet pool surrounded by hills and cicadas and family run with friendly easy going staff. Just stayed in two three star hotels - neither as good (stars for age and culture associated with building but far less friendly and not as good facilities).

I am an enthusiast for the 3* hotel.

Usually you get a bed, an en suite and a breakfast included. That's all I ever need. I'm out all day enjoying my holiday, I don't need gyms and spas and whatnot.

As pp have said some have been in excellent locations. I once stayed in one in Sorrento with a view of Mt Vesuvius. It was lovely.

(i say this as someone who grew up staying in grand five star hotels and going on the old school luxury liners)

I've stayed in 3 hotels that were lovely & 4 hotels that were frankly grotty, the rating is only an opinion of a hotel inspector.

Yes - my friend runs one. It's great, and the three stars is due to odd things like that a couple rooms share a bathroom, so overall she can't have higher as not all bedrooms are en suite.
I've stayed at four star hotels way less nice.