A common European hotels classification system

• 3 hotel categories

  The Swedish classification system comprises three different categories of hotel.
  
  Hotel: This category comprises hotels serving food over and above breakfast. From one to five stars.
  
  Hotel Superior: This category comprises hotels which have obtained a higher number of additional points within each star rating.
  
  Hotel Garni: This group comprises hotels serving breakfast only. The highest rating in this category is four stars.
• The criteria
  The different star ratings can be summarized in the following mandatory criteria example(s): 
  
   

  Hotels primarily with common area bath / toilet, towels, central heating, breakfast and access around the clock, possibility of wake-up call, daily cleaning of rooms.
  
  Superior: all the rooms must have private bath / toilet and television.

  
  
  Hotel has, in addition to requirements for 1*, bath towels and washbasin with soap and shower cream as well as bedside lamp in rooms. In addition at least 40% of the rooms have private bathroom / toilet and TV.
  
  Superior: all the rooms have private bath / toilet and television.

  
  
  Service Desk function (at least 14 hours a day), all rooms equipped with private bath / toilet, hairdryer, full-length mirror, luggage stand, desk, radio, TV, access to internet, access to the baggage service, laundry bag, shoe shine equipment, elevator.
  
  
  
  Reception desk staffed at least 18 hours a day, hotel staffed 24 hours, bar at least 6 days a week, comfortable furniture, safe, guest PC, internet connection in rooms, mini bar / room service, dinner service at least 6 days a week and room service with food (non-Garni-hotels), newspapers, sewing services, elevator.
  
  Superior: dinner restaurant must be open at least 6 nights a week.
  
  
  Reception desk staffed 24 hours, suites, extra toiletries in the room, bathrobe and slippers, extra pillows, choice of pillows, comfortable seating in rooms, bar 7 days a week, lunch and dinner 7 days a week, mini bar, room service round the clock, luggage service, ironing service, same day laundry service, second service / turndown, mystery checking, etc.
  
  All star categories require a number of additional criteria, beyond the mandatory criteria, in order to achieve star rating. In addition, the hotel is also considered as a whole in terms of maintenance standards, quality of furniture and equipment, and general impression.
  
  Full list of applicable criteria: The criteria 2010 

   
• The sign
  All classified hotels will receive a sign for display at the entrance to the hotel. The number of stars will, of course, only apply if the sign displays a current year sticker. All signs remain the property of Visita.
• The Classification Committee

  Formally speaking, the Swedish classification system is handled by a Classification Committee. The Committee is made up of the following eight members:
  
  Kent Nyström, Visita (ordförande)
  Elisabeth Haglund, Visita
  Johan Kukacka, Visita
  Petter Ullberg, Visita
  Eva Landqvist, ICA, utses av SBTA
  Kati Engsner, Stockholm International Fairs
  Cecilia Ekblom, American Express Business Travel, appointed by The Association of Swedish Travel Agents
  Ulrika Hallesius, VisitSweden
  
  
  Functions of the committee:

  • propose changes to established criteria
  • ruling on dispensation applications

  Dispensation applications from the hotels shall be submitted in writing to the Classification Committee.
  
  Address of the Classification Committee:
  c/o Visita
  Box 3546
  SE-103 69 Stockholm

   
• The Classification Administrative Office

  The operational part of the Swedish classification system is handled by a department within Visita. The Administrative Office is responsible for planning, booking and conducting annual inspections, and for distributing signs and year stickers. The Administrative Office also functions as the Classification Committee's secretariat.
  
  The following people handle hotel classification at Visita:
  
  Rikard Bergsten, Head of Department
  E-mail:r.bergsten@visita.se
  Ph: +46 (0)8 762 74 38
  
  Bo Bengtsson, Hotel Inspector
  E-mail:b.bengtsson@visita.se
  Ph: +46 (0)8 762 74 03
  
  Magnus Klasson, Hotel Inspector
  E-mail:m.klasson@visita.se
  Ph: +46 (0)8 762 74 24
  
  Eva Nordqvist, Administrator
  E-mail:e.nordqvist@visita.se
  Ph: +46 (0)8 762 74 16