Hotel Classification Checklist
Hotel Classification Checklist
Hotel Classification Checklist
Department of Tourism
(H & R Division)
Hotels are an integral part of a tourist's visit to a place and the services offered by them can make or mar a
visit completely. With the aim of providing standardized, world class services to the tourists, the Government
of India, Department of Tourism has a voluntary scheme for classification of fully operational hotels in the
following categories:-
1. Star Hotels: 5 Star Deluxe, 5 Star, 4 Star, 3 Star, 2 Star & 1 Star
The Hotel & Restaurant Approval & Classification Committee (HRACC) inspects and assesses the hotels
based on facilities and services offered.
Project approvals are also given in all the above-mentioned categories at the project implementation stage.
Classified hotels/approved projects are eligible for various concessions and facilities that are announced by
the Government from time to time besides, getting worldwide publicity through the India tourism Offices
located in India and abroad.
Details of the criteria set and the documents required are given in this document
For classification and project approvals in the 5 Star Deluxe, 5 Star, 4 Star and all the three Heritage
categories the applications along with the requisite fees may be sent to:
For classifications and project approvals in the 3 Star, 2 Star and 1 Star categories the applications along
with the requisite fees maybe sent to the Regional Director, Indiatourism Office in whose region the
hotel/project is located:
1. The Department of Tourism approves hotels at project stage based on documentation, which
enables the hotels to get certain benefits from the govt. as announced from time to time. The
documents required for project approvals are listed below.
2. Project approvals are valid for 5 years. Project approvals of the Govt. of India, Department of
Tourism cease 3 months from the date that the hotel becomes operational even if all its rooms are
not ready. The hotel must apply for classification within these 3 months.
3. The Govt. India, Department of Tourism reserves the right to modify the guidelines/terms and
conditions from time to time
4. Application form.
This covers
viii. Blue prints/ sketch plans signed by owners and architect showing
1. Site plan
2. Front and side elevations
3. Floor plans for all floors
4. Detail of guest room and bath room with dimensions in sq.ft.
5. Details of Fire Fighting Measures/ Hydrants etc.
6. Details of measures for energy conservation and water harvesting.
ix. Air-conditioning details for guest rooms, public areas
x. Local approvals by
1. Municipal authorities
2. Concerned Police Authorities
3. Any other local authority as maybe required.
4. Approval /NOC from Airport Authority of India for projects located near Airports
xiii. Please indicate whether the promoter intends to give a few rooms or all rooms on a
time- share basis.
5. In the event of any changes in the project plans, the approval must be sought afresh.
6. Authorised officers of the Department of Tourism should be allowed free access to inspect the
premises from time to time without prior notice
7. The hotel must immediately inform the Department of the date from which the hotel becomes
operational and apply for classification within 3 months of this date.
8. The fees payable for the project approval and subsequent extension, if required are:
9. The promoters must forward regular progress reports for each quarter failing which the project
approval would be considered withdrawn.
10. All documents must be valid at the time of application and a Gazetted officer or Notary must duly
certify copies furnished to the Department. Documents in local languages should be accompanied
by a translation in English/official language and be duly certified.
11. Projects, where it is proposed to let out part or whole of the hotel on time share basis will not be
eligible for approval.
12. For any change in the category the promoters must apply afresh with a fresh application form and
requisite fees for the category applied for.
13. Any changes in the project plans or management should be informed to the, Department of
Tourism/Regional Directors Office (For 3,2 &1 Star categories) (for 5-D, 5, 4 Star and Heritage
categories) within 30 days otherwise the approval will stand withdrawn/terminated.
******************************************************************************
Hotel Classification
1. Classification for newly operational hotels must be sought within 3 months of completion of
approved hotel projects. Operating hotels may opt for classification at any stage. However, hotels
seeking re-classification should apply for reclassification one year prior to the expiry of the current
period of classification.
2. If the hotel fails to reapply 1 year before the expiry of the classification order, the application will be
treated as a fresh classification case.
3. Once a hotel applies for classification/ re-classification, it should be ready at all times for inspection
by the HRACC. No requests for deferment of inspection will be entertained.
4. Classification will be valid for 5 (Five) years from the date of issue of orders or in case of
reclassification from the date of expiry of the last classification provided that the application has
been received within the stipulated time mentioned above, along with all valid documents.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
5. Hotels which propose to let out part of or all its rooms on time-share basis are not eligible to be
classified
7. All applications for classification or re-classification must be complete in all respects – application
form, application fee, prescribed clearances, NOCs, certificates etc. - incomplete application is
liable to be rejected.
8. Hotels will qualify for classification as Heritage hotels provided a minimum 50% of the floor area
was built before 1935 and no substantial change has been made in the facade. Hotels, which have
been classified/, re-classified under Heritage categories prior to issue of these Guidelines will
continue under Heritage categories even if they were built between 1935-1950.
(a.) For 4*, 5* and 5*Deluxe and Heritage category - Chaired by Chairman (HRACC) or his
representative. Representatives from FHRAI/ HAI/ IATO/ TAAI/ IHM /local Indiatourism
office/Member Secretary will constitute the other members of the Committee. In case of
Heritage category, a representative of IHHA will be a member of the committee.
(b.) For 1*, 2* & 3*, the committee will be Chaired by Secretary (T) of the concerned State
Govt. or his nominee who should not be below the rank of a Deputy Secretary to the
Government of India. In his absence the Regional Director, Indiatourism who is also Member
Secretary, Regional HRACC will chair the committee. The recommendations will be sent to
HRACC Division (Department of Tourism, Government of India) within 3 weeks. Other
members will be representatives from FHRAI/ IATO/ TAAI/ IHM.
(e.)In case of any dissatisfaction with the decision of HRACC the hotels may appeal to
Secretary (T), Government of India for review and reconsideration within 30 days of receiving
the communication regarding classification/reclassification. No requests will be entertained
beyond this period.
b. The quality of facilities and services will be evaluated against the mark sheet
12. The hotel is expected to maintain required standards at all times. The Classification Committee
may inspect a hotel at any time without previous notice. The Committee may request that its
members be accommodated overnight to inspect the level of services.
13. Any deficiencies/ rectification pointed out by the HRACC must be complied with within the
stipulated time, which has been allotted in consultation with the hotel representatives during
inspection. Failure to do so will result in rejection of t application.
14. The committee may assign a star category lower but not higher than that applied for.
15. The hotel must be able to convince the committee that they are taking sufficient steps to conserve
energy and harvest water, garbage segregation, and disposal/recycling as per Pollution Control
Board (PCB) norms and following other Eco-friendly measures.
16. For any change in the star category/heritage category the promoters must apply afresh with a fresh
application form and requisite fees for the category applied for.
17. Any changes in the plans or management of the hotel should be informed to the HRACC, Govt. of
India, Department of Tourism within 30 days otherwise the classification will stand
withdrawn/terminated.
18. Applicants are requested to go through the checklist of facilities and services contained in this
document before applying.
19. Incomplete applications will not be considered. All cases of classification would be finalised within
three months of the application being made.
20. The Govt. India Department of Tourism reserves the right to modify the guidelines/terms and
conditions from time to time
******************************************************************************
To,
UNDERTAKING
I have read and understood all the terms and conditions mentioned above with respect to project
approval/classification/reclassification in 1/2/3/4/5/5-D/Heritage category and hereby agree to abide by them.
The information and documents provided are correct and authentic to the best of my knowledge.
Place:
Date:
CHECKLIST FOR FACILITIES & SERVICES 1* 2* 3* 4* 5*/5*D Comments
General
Primarily transient, full time operations, 7days a N N N N N Max 10% of rooms for commercial use in
week in season hotel block or as per local law.
At least one room equipped for the
physically challenged
24 hrs. lifts for buildings higher than ground plus N N N N N Mandatory for new hotels. Local laws may
two floors require a relaxation of this condition.
Easy access for physically challenged persons.
All floor surfaces clean and in good repair N N N N N Floors may be of any type
Guest rooms
Minimum 10 lettable rooms. All rooms withoutside N N N N N
window/ ventilation
Minimum size of bathroom excluding bathroom in 120 120 140 140 200 Single occupancy rooms may be 20 sq ft less
sq.ft.
A clean change of bed and bath linen daily & N N N N N Hotels may have a guest triggered system.
between check-in's For 1* & 2* on alternate days.
Definitely required between each check-in.
Drinking water + 1 glass tumbler per guest N N N N N Water treated with UV + filtration is necessary
In room safe N
Minibar / Fridge N Contents must conform to local laws
Iron and ironing board on request N N
Bathrooms
Percentage of rooms with dedicated (private) 25% 75% ALL ALL ALL Dedicated bathrooms need not be "attached"
bathrooms with room but must have private access
1 bath towel and 1 hand-towel to be provided per N N N N N If no attached/ dedicated bath, to provide
guest in room
Bath tubs/ shower closet Bath tubs waste water. In 4* plus hotels,
some rooms should offer this option to the
guest
Public Areas
A lounge or seating in the lobby area N N N N N Size would depend on check in pattern.
There should be at least one telephone no
higher than 24'' from floor level in 5/5D*
Ramps with anti- slip floors and handrails at the D D D N N Fire and emergency alarms should have visual
entrance. Minimum door width should be 32" to signals. Wheelchair access with suitable table in
allow wheelchair access and other facilities for restaurant.
the physically challenged
Dining Room serving Breakfast & Dinner N N N N N Meal times to be displayed. Service to start
by 7am and finish no earlier than 10pm.
Minimum one hour per meal service. Breakfast
Continental.
1* hotel without dining room must offer
service in rooms
1* 2* 3* 4* 5*/5*D
Kitchens
Refrigerator with deep freeze N N N N N Capacity based on size of F&B service
Segregated storage of meat, fish and vegetables N N N N N Meats & fish in freezers.
Vegetables must be separate
Garbage to be segregated - wet and dry N N N N N To encourage recycling wet garbage area
to be airconditioned for 3* - 5*D
Staff Quality
Staff uniforms for front of the house N N N N N Uniforms to be clean and in good repair
Front office staff English speaking N N N May be relaxed outside the 8 metros/
sub-metros
Percentage of staff with minimum one year 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% This may be relaxed for hotels in rural,
certificate course from Government recognised pilgrimage and hill areas
catering/ hotel institutes
Staff Welfare/Facilities
Staff rest rooms D D N N N
Staff locker rooms D D N N N
Toilet facities N N N N N
Dining area D D D N N
Guest Services
Valet (Pressing) services to be available N N
Laundry and Dry-cleaning service to be provided D N N Service can be next day. In resort destinations,
pilgrimage areas dry-cleaning services
may be relaxed
Ice- from drinking water- on demand N N N Ice machines accessible to guests are
acceptable. Maybe placed in corridors
for 4*,5* & 5*D
Provision for emergency supplies - toiletries/ first N N N This may be a chargeable item
aid kit
Staff trained in first aid D D N N N CPR/ choking and regular first aid
First aid kit with Over the Counter medicines with N N N N N
front desk
Communication Facilities
A telephone for incoming & outgoing calls in the N N N N 4* plus should have direct dial and STD/ISD
room facilities. 1*,2* and 3* may go through
exchange
PC available for guest use with internet access N N N This can be a paid service. Upto 3*, PC can be
offices. Internet subject to local access being av
E-mail service N N N
In Room internet connection/ dataport N Subject to local internet access being available
Conference facilities D D D
Government of India
Department of Tourism (H&R Cell)
Hotel Classification
Comments
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
HRACC Members
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Qualifying Score
5*D 90 %
5* 80 %
4* 75 %
3* 65 %
2* 55 %
1* 50 %