... what if

ALL hotels were checked EVERY year for Standards -

(Does anyone know where I could fing start standards for Thailand/ASEAN?)

IF hotels do not keep the standards they lose a star...

(A La Michelin)

SO simple -

Quality Hotels BEFORE "Quality Tourists"

I looked at this::http://www.thailandhotelier.com/newsDetail.asp?newsID=788

I have not stayed in a 5* in Thailand - but 4/3*s I have,
should have been

"Uncared for 2 *" at best.

If I included Hygiene and balcony heights

"Closed Down!"

An impossible task to carry out as there are hundreds of thousand of hotels to check,

like Pattaya claim to have 750 hotels just for Pattaya so go figure the rest of Thailand

and the rest of the world, and who's gona pay for all that? you?

I traveled for three months throughout Thailand this year, staying in over 40 hotels. I always booked from Agoda. I think Star ratings are "self awarded" (?) and didn't hesitate to write in the review that the star rating was unjustified. Overall though, I found the Star rating to be at least, a good guide for what to expect, but buyer beware. Often hotels deteriorate as they age. Sometimes a four star hotel is dirty or run poorly, making it a two star. Sometimes I saw a three star hotel bumped to a four because they have a fitness closet and a dirty little pool.

Thai hotels catering to Thais often are of lesser quality. I don't know, I think the Thais expect less.

I can only recommend reading the customer comments of a hotel before booking. Customer ratings are a much better indicator of what to expect than Star ratings.

There are millions of hotels around the world that are happy to be rated.

There are strict rules to get and maintain star ratings - this ensures Quality Standards.

Hotels pay to get customers and pay to get listed with professional organisations -

who also want to enhance and protect their own reputation.

Customers also pay Hotel tax - the Governments/Tourism budget would/does cover basic ratings

so customers get what the expect.

It's better for all concerned

No need to get personal

An impossible task to carry out as there are hundreds of thousand of hotels to check,

like Pattaya claim to have 750 hotels just for Pattaya so go figure the rest of Thailand

and the rest of the world, and who's gona pay for all that? you?

...this is a good way for hotels to be People Rated

Many travel companies customer satisfaction surveys ask for personal star rating -

if this begings to get too many low ratings, they will investigate.

But all travel companies now have assessors to regularly check hotels (at least once per year)

All EU companies are responsible for their customer safety too.

I traveled for three months throughout Thailand this year, staying in over 40 hotels. I always booked from Agoda. I think Star ratings are "self awarded" (?) and didn't hesitate to write in the review that the star rating was unjustified. Overall though, I found the Star rating to be at least, a good guide for what to expect, but buyer beware. Often hotels deteriorate as they age. Sometimes a four star hotel is dirty or run poorly, making it a two star. Sometimes I saw a three star hotel bumped to a four because they have a fitness closet and a dirty little pool.

Thai hotels catering to Thais often are of lesser quality. I don't know, I think the Thais expect less.

I can only recommend reading the customer comments of a hotel before booking. Customer ratings are a much better indicator of what to expect than Star ratings.

Most independent hotels under 4 stars are self rated as far as i know

... in Thailand

Most independent hotels under 4 stars are self rated as far as i know

No such thing as "quality assurance" in Thailand! You can only be assured that hotels rate their own quality, and they never give themselves a lower star rating than they deserve.

Star ratings seem to mean very little these days, hotels can put whatever they think they can get away with.

They are more concerned about social network reviews etc and sites like trip advisor that give real people reviews mostly. I know I always check these before booking and couldnt careless how many stars they claim to have only what people who have actually stayed there say.

That's why you read the reviews. It is easy to,see the genuine ones.

Marcusd. Via tapatalk

Problem with personal reviews... they are personal.

And the majority have No training, in what IS expected...

Some guy stays in a 3 star - expects 5* service...

Has a bad 'Holiday Romance'

Gets drunk, falls in the gutter - "I hate that hotel"

I could go on...

I read many reviews of "Location" to be 7 or 8, yet they are in the center or on the beach

(But not close to their favourite/discovered bar or restaurant etc?)

Just for example I know a hotel in the Middle of Kao San Road and it Never gets a 10 for location???

(So it should be at the begining of the road - or is the other end better)

In my experience, ratings are invaluable, to know you will get the basics [of that rating]

...and if that hotel does not maintain the standard, then...

Oh wait I'm in Thailand (must be the heat)

But wait again, didn;t TAT say they wanted "Quality Tourists"!

THEN Improve ****** hotels!!!!!

Disclaimer: I personally am happy getting a former 3/4* at a budget/hostel price

...and the poor remain poor, and the owners get disincentivized

(Like the education system then!...ooops, off topic?)

Problem with personal reviews... they are personal.

And the majority have No training, in what IS expected...

Some guy stays in a 3 star - expects 5* service...

Has a bad 'Holiday Romance'

Gets drunk, falls in the gutter - "I hate that hotel"

I could go on...

I read many reviews of "Location" to be 7 or 8, yet they are in the center or on the beach

(But not close to their favourite/discovered bar or restaurant etc?)

Just for example I know a hotel in the Middle of Kao San Road and it Never gets a 10 for location???

(So it should be at the begining of the road - or is the other end better)

In my experience, ratings are invaluable, to know you will get the basics [of that rating]

...and if that hotel does not maintain the standard, then...

Oh wait I'm in Thailand (must be the heat)

But wait again, didn;t TAT say they wanted "Quality Tourists"!

THEN Improve ****** hotels!!!!!

Disclaimer: I personally am happy getting a former 3/4* at a budget/hostel price

...and the poor remain poor, and the owners get disincentivized

(Like the education system then!...ooops, off topic?)

personally I have read many reviews and they were helpful.

I have stayed in zillions of them all over the world.

I still value reviews

Marcusd. Via tapatalk

...so just for debate...

How would you prioritize a hotel selection in a search engine.

would your First click be

a. start rating, b. price. c, review d, Location, e, facilities,

And would "Free" breakfast be a decider?

I personally would select c, review last - as confirm or back-up

Lastly I have to write research soon

So If anyone has any ideas of how TAT and Thai tourism can improve

and delivor their wish for "Quality Tourists"

OR should they expand and happy with what they have?