Why are Greek hotels listed as 5* when they're really only about 3*?

[oceanauk]

I have been looking at what initially looks like great deals to Greece at 5* hotels AI holidays. However, on review various hotels for feedback the majority of them seem to be graded by the Greeks themselves and I have found out their standards are not the same as most other countries including the UK so in effect the hotels are about 3*. Is this true and is this not a trading standards issue if companies are offering these holidays at 5* rating? I am a bit confused and would like to travel to Crete, Kos or Rhodes but just don't seem to be able to find any really well recommended hotels. Any comments please?? Many thanks.

[lilacben]

Have just returned from Crete. beautiful island! but hotel 5* but only really 3*. Hotel was great and very clean but resturant was not very good. food very boring and all the cold foods,cheese,salads,cold meats ect had no cover on them was covered in flies and not even in a cooler, just put out on the side.! will go self catering next time and eat out. the food and drink over there is still very cheap compared to Spain ect. now. have a great time. Brendax

[Bernadette C]

My husband and I have visited several Greek islands over the last few years (some more than once) and have absolutely loved every one of them. They include Crete, Kos, Rhodes, Kephalonia, Zakynthos, Ithaca and Thassos. We have just returned from Kos and already have next year's booked to Alonyssos. It's true that Greek standards are different from UK standards but we have always found the accommodation to be clean with maid service on a regular basis. More basic than luxurious. We prefer to stay in self catering apartments rather than tie ourselves to only eating at a hotel. I love Greek food and enjoy Stifado, Kleftico, Souvlaki, Moussaka, Greek salads and if you are a garlic lover, then you must track down Skordalia. Heaven!

Don't be put off because there are many wonderful places out there. Greek people are amongst the friendliest on the planet. For example, after a boating accident where both my husband and myself were injured, my husband's wallet was lost overboard. The hire people were not a jot concerned about their boat being damaged but were most solicitous regarding us. They took us back to our apartment, contacted a doctor, offered to lend us money and returned each day to take us out and about. I must add that the accident was not down to the boat being faulty but us misreading the currents.

Go for it. It's a whole new experience.

[dzug]

Given that there is no universally agreed star standard, it's not really a trading standards issue. In many places stars are 'awarded' on the basis of what facilities there are, not on the quality of those facilities, which I suspect is what is happening in Greece..

[trevHCS]

There's also the hotels that are self-accredited even in the UK so they might be 4* but that's what they awarded themselves.

From what I've seen however, Britain & Germany seem to be the only countries that really have anything like good standards in hotel accommodation (within Europe) and places like Greece & Spain, well, they might be a few years behind us in quality and not trying to shaft the customers.

[oceanauk]

that's great everyone -many thanks!!

[david1johnson]

see the ranking and star rating are different from country to country what is facility provide 3 * in uk might be 5 * in greek so it does not matters with ratings of different countries..

http://www.thezurihotels.com/goa/