What makes a 5-star hotel worthy of its rating?

What makes a 5-star hotel worthy of its rating?

We all know that hotels which have achieved an exclusive 5-star rating offer something extra special. But what does that really mean? In this guide, we take a look at the factors that make luxury hotels worthy of their 5-star rating and why they’re the perfect choice for an indulgent spa getaway. We also introduce you to some of our fantastic 5-star luxury spa hotels, including The Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath and The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne.

Dining

One of the factors that makes luxury hotels worthy of 5 stars is the quality of on-site dining. The finest hotels usually feature renowned chefs, inventive and seasonal menus, excellent service, knowledgeable sommeliers and an elegant ambience. All of these elements combine to ensure guests can savour an exclusive fine dining experience that enhances the rest of their 5-star hotel stay. Many restaurants in 5-star properties have achieved their own prestigious ratings, such as Michelin stars and AA rosettes.

Alexander House Hotel & Utopia Spa: Turners Hill, West Sussex

The luxury Alexander House Hotel & Utopia Spa ticks all the 5-star boxes, including dining. Indeed, here you can find a wide choice of first-class options for eating and drinking in style, including two award-winning restaurants. The 2-rosette Reflections is a casual bistro-style restaurant with lovely courtyard views, while the more formal 3-rosette AG's promises a memorable gastronomic ‘journey’. Book now.

Accommodation

If you’re planning a 5-star hotel getaway, one of the most important factors is the quality of the room. From comfortable and spacious beds and lovely views to amenities such as flat-screen televisions, fancy toiletries, and coffeemakers, a 5-star hotel offers the chance to relax in luxurious surroundings. The best hotels also offer a choice of accommodation, so guests can upgrade to a suite or room with a real ‘wow’ factor.

The Roseate Reading: Reading, Berkshire

Dubbed the UK’s Sexiest Townhouse Hotel, The Roseate Reading goes the extra mile to offer sumptuous surroundings, including in its choice of accommodation. The hotel features just 55 rooms, each of which has been individually decorated to an impeccable standard with original artwork. The rooms include luxurious Penhaligon toiletries and espresso coffee machines, while some have Bang & Olufsen audio visual systems, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel’s suites benefit from extra seating space and even more lavish amenities, such as monsoon showers or deep set baths. Book now.

Amenities

While luxurious accommodation and fine dining are important 5-star factors, so are the amenities provided to guests. Amenities can cover a whole range of facilities, services and conveniences that improve your stay. They can be broadly divided into ‘in-room’ and ‘on-site’ amenities. In-room amenities can include some of the things we’ve already highlighted, such as premium range toiletries, coffee machines and media equipment. On-site amenities cover services including dry cleaning and childcare, through to leisure facilities and relaxation spaces.

Bailiffscourt Hotel and Spa: Climping, West Sussex

The dog-friendly Bailiffscourt Hotel and Spa provides a wealth of in-room and on-site amenities designed to enhance your 5-star stay. You can find Temple Spa toiletries in all the bathrooms, plus roll-top baths, open fireplaces and four-poster beds in selected guest rooms. On-site, there is a choice of dining and lounge areas in which to relax and enjoy a bite to eat. You can also take advantage of the heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools, as well as the spa’s thermal suite and fitness studio. Additionally, the hotel is set close to the beach, with 30 lovely acres of grounds to explore and an on-site croquet lawn and tennis courts. Book now.

Service

No hotel can justifiably be described as 5-star unless it delivers impeccable service in every department. The best hotels recognise that first-rate service means understated but attentive. guests want their needs met, problems solved, and requests fulfilled but they also want discretion and privacy. great service usually begins at check-in, but it can begin even earlier with a doorperson or concierge waiting to greet you and help you with your bags. it continues throughout your stay, with every employee, from restaurant servers to housekeeping staff, right until check-out, when the receptionist offers, without prompting, to get you a taxi or to store your baggage.

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa: Bath, Somerset

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa takes service very seriously, as it does all other aspects of delivering 5-star hotel luxury. You can expect a warm welcome and courteous service during your stay, with highly experienced staff both front- and back-of-house, including a dedicated concierge team, all devoted to ensuring your whole experience is seamless, stress-free and memorable for all the right reasons. Book now.

Location

It’s no coincidence that the best hotels in the UK are located in some of the finest locations. Whether in the heart of the city close to all the action, set amid beautiful grounds and rolling countryside, or boasting an enviable coastal position, when you choose a 5-star luxury hotel, you’ll be assured of the perfect surroundings. Of course, prime locations can also mean ease of access, with ample parking or close proximity to convenient public transport links.

The Grand Hotel: Eastbourne, East Sussex

A true icon, The Grand Hotel certainly lives up to its name, occupying pride of place on Eastbourne’s glorious seafront. Known as the ‘Palace by the Sea’, The Grand recalls the days when the wealthy flocked to this popular tourist destination. While the hotel has been modernised to a 5-star standard, it retains a nostalgic feel. Less than a mile from the town’s mainline train station, the hotel offers some sea-view rooms for added luxury, while all guests can enjoy staying just steps from the lovely promenade. Book now.

Spa

Our look at 5-star hotels simply wouldn’t be complete without talking about spa luxury! Indeed, when you book a luxury spa break package through SpaSeekers, not only do you want the hospitality elements to be a cut above the rest; you also want spa treatments with the finest products and the highest trained therapists complemented with first-rate facilities. Fortunately, with our 5-star properties, you are assured a wonderfully relaxing time. Whether you’re seeking a soothing facial, leisurely swim, a sweaty session of cardio or some reinvigoration in the thermal suite, our 5-star luxury spas are sure to delight and impress.

Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House: St Albans, Hertfordshire

Depending on the package you choose, at Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House, you could have the choice of extensive leisure facilities across two areas of the spa. The Cottonmill facilities include an inviting indoor pool, two vitality pools, a state-of-the-art gym with Technogym equipment, exercise classes and a thermal suite, plus a poolside terrace and Rose Relaxation Room. Meanwhile, The Club at Cottonmill is an exclusive members-only area that features delightful spa gardens and a Deep Relaxation Room. The pampering spa treatments come courtesy of Elemis and Aromatherapy Associates. Book now.