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What is different about a hotel on the first line? Choosing a hotel: beach What is the beach line

Reading sentences travel companies, we often come across terminology whose meaning we do not fully understand.

A first line hotel is always more expensive than a second or third line hotel. What is the additional fee for and is it always justified? We'll figure out...

Shoreline Rules

If you follow the letter of the rules of hotel associations in most countries of the world, then classification by lines provides for the following rules:

  • 1st line – hotels are located directly on the seashore, the distance from the hotel doors to the nearest beach is no more than 100 meters. Between the hotel and the beach there can be no promenade, no road, no barriers, much less other hotels. The distance is taken geometrically - between the hotel and the sea in a straight line. Considering that a first-line hotel may be located in the mountains, and a winding path leads to the beach, the actual distance may be a little greater, but certainly not more than 150 meters. Most often, first-line hotels have their own beaches, access to which is free for guests of these hotels. Usually these are 4* and 5* hotels, although there are also “three rubles”;
  • 2nd line – between the beach and the hotel there is a promenade (a walking alley along the coast) or a regular road. The distance to the nearest beach is no more than 200 meters (directly). There should still be no other hotels between the sea and the beach. Most second-line hotels have their own beaches, some invite their guests to the nearest public beach (3* hotels). Most often, hotel transport does not go from the second line to the beach; you will have to get there on your own;
  • 3rd, 4th and 5th lines - city hotels, the distance to the beaches is more than 300 meters. Among this type of hotels there are high-level establishments - 4* and 5*. In this case, special transport to the beaches is provided for guests. Depending on the level of your tour, it can be used without restrictions or for a nominal fee. Private beaches are rare for 3rd line hotels. Most often, clients are offered to relax next to an excellent swimming pool with both sea and fresh water. The cost of a holiday in urban hotels, far from the beaches, is significantly lower than in hotels on the seashore, but the level of comfort is no less, even vice versa.

What about life?

All listed rules apply to Europe. Here, numerous associations, corporations, tourism ministries and similar bureaucrats monitor the observance of order. But the East is a delicate matter, therefore, in Egypt everything may be somewhat different:

  • The first line in Egypt will be considered a hotel located near the sea (up to 100 meters), but the presence of a promenade or a busy highway in front of the hotel is not considered an obstacle. The main thing is that there are no other hotels in front of the first line hotel. This rule is not mandatory. Old hotels that were built 20-30 years ago are most likely actually located on the shore and have private beach. But new hotels often “sin” with not very reliable information in their advertising brochures. Exit? Before booking a tour, carefully study the hotel’s photos online, read the reviews (the main thing is that they are specific and not general and enthusiastic; many people like to write reviews for little money);
  • It is rare to find a third or fourth line hotel in Egypt. Most likely, in the booklet the question of coastlines will be cleverly obscured with phrases like: “located nearby great beach", "the sea can be seen from the window of every second room", "a luxurious swimming pool for the discerning public." If the coastline is not specified, be prepared for your hotel to be located in a city block. Holidays in such hotels are rarely expensive, but if you come to the seaside, then get ready for the fact that the cute young Aladdin at the reception desk will answer your legitimate question about the beach by indicating where you can find a regular bus stop, “which is 30 minutes away.” will take you to the chic public beach where everything is free." How to deal with this? Inquire about the availability of a beach near the hotel, the cost of entry to the nearest private “shores,” and the availability of the hotel’s own transport.

When choosing a tour, remember: only you decide where you will relax. Demand full information about hotels, beaches, living conditions, transport. Check everything yourself on travel forums, review sites, and look at photographs. Ask questions, get answers. Understanding all the “Egyptian” tricks is quite simple. But this must be done before you board the plane. If the main thing for you on your trip is the sights of an ancient and exotic country, you will only need to stay in a hotel with a good swimming pool. You can sunbathe here too. If you just need sea, sand, a beach umbrella and a comfortable sun lounger, then choose a first-line hotel - this is for you!

Once upon a time, our distant ancestors used the stars to navigate their travels. The stars helped them chart a route and not get lost in the vast expanses of the earth.

For today's travelers, the stars continue to serve as guides. Only not in search of the road, but in choosing its end point - a hotel or inn, taking into account, first of all, their “star rating”. For both experienced and novice travelers, there is only one criterion: “the more, the better.”

Unfortunately, there is still no general classification system that would be accepted throughout the world. Different countries, and often within the same country in its different regions, have their own criteria for assessing the level of hotels. The WTO (World Tourism Organization) has been fighting for many years to bring the system for assessing the level of service to some common standards, but so far without success. The requirements it sets today are no more than advisory in nature.

But, nevertheless, certain general requirements They still try to adhere to comfort and quality of service everywhere.

In hotels of the same category in different places The range of services provided and the quality of service may vary significantly. But there is a certain minimum that allows a tourist to at least roughly get an idea of ​​what he can expect from a hotel of one level or another. So…

Hotels without category

A huge number of hotels around the world do not have any category. This is the largest group. There can be very modest hotels that cannot reach at least one star, and luxurious suites for which the category is below their level of dignity.

So the absence of stars does not mean at all that the concepts of service and comfort do not exist here. Most often in travel catalogs hotels and out-of-category hotels are still assigned some level of “star rating” - so that tourists can get some idea of ​​the level of service.

1 and 2 star hotels

1 star hotels are designed for those who just need somewhere to spend the night and get cleaned up. This doesn't mean that everything is bad here. Most often, these are small hotels whose small area does not allow them to equip their rooms with a bath or shower.

  • Such hotels must have at least one toilet per 5 rooms, and at least two bathrooms per floor.
  • There will be a refrigerator with a TV on the floor; room service is not provided. However, the room must have a mirror, sink, and towel.
  • Cleaning must be done every day, and linen must be changed at least once every five days.
  • As for food, the presence of at least a dining room is not mandatory.
  • There is still a TV, a refrigerator and bathrooms on the floor, also at least two.
  • There is also one toilet for five rooms, but it can be in the room.
  • Linen and towels should be changed more often - once every 3-4 days.
  • In hotels of this category, there should be dry cleaning and laundry services - not necessarily in the hotel itself, but they must accept things from the guest.
  • The most important difference is that some kind of canteen, cafe or restaurant must be open. True, if the numbers are less than 50, this may not happen. Meals can only be provided in the form of breakfast. During breakfast there may be room service, but this is not necessary.

The most popular - 3 star hotels

3 star hotels already represent something. This is the most popular group, and the most diverse. It happens that three star hotel in Europe it is better than five-star, for example, in Egypt.

In terms of price-quality ratio, this is, in general, the optimal option.

  • Toilet, bath (or shower), refrigerator, TV - everything should be present in the room.
  • If required climatic conditions, there must be air conditioning.
  • IN 3 star hotel There may not be a bar or restaurant, but you are required to organize access to them (for example, in a nearby hotel).
  • There should be a swimming pool, a parking lot on site, or at least a parking space near the hotel.
  • There must be either a business center or access to minimal office equipment - a computer, fax, telephone.
  • Telephones, as well as safes, may be in the rooms, but this is not mandatory.
  • Room service in such hotels should be available throughout the day, towels should be changed every day, and linen should be changed every 3 days.

4 and 5 star hotels

  • The rooms must have a toilet, shower, TV, refrigerator, air conditioning, telephone, safe, minibar; In the bathroom there are hygiene products and a hairdryer.
  • Towels and linen must be changed every day and cleaned too.
  • Main differences 5 star hotels- this is the area of ​​​​the rooms and the restaurant menu. Five-star hotels have more rooms good view out the window, they can provide a wider range of different services.
  • On the territory of both categories of hotels there should be restaurants, 24-hour bars, swimming pools, parking lots, business centers, conference rooms, and currency exchange offices.
  • Room service is usually available 24 hours a day. But for 4 star hotels it can only be during the day.

Hotels and coastline

In addition to stars, there is also a gradation of hotels according to their location relative to the beach, the so-called. coastlines.

The hotel's location on the first coastline means that it is in close proximity to the beach, at most across the road from it.

The second line involves a 5-10 minute walk to the beach; hotels on this line are separated from the shore by some buildings, for example, other hotels or parks.

The higher the standard coastline number, the farther the hotel is from the beach. Usually, first coastline- these are 4-star and 5-star hotels, but 3-star hotels can also be located on the first coastline.

Advice! When choosing a hotel, it is best to focus not on the number of stars, but based on what exactly you came for and what you want to get from your vacation.
  • If you only plan to be in your room to spend the night, it may not make sense to pay extra for services you won't use.
  • If you travel a lot yourself, then you should pay attention to the availability of transport.
  • If you want the sea, choose a hotel located next to the beach or have well-functioning transportation.

Everyone has their own ideas about have a good rest, and you can always find a hotel that meets your requirements.

There are different classifications of hotels - by letters, “keys”, “crowns”, “points” and finally by stars. Most often the European consumer hotel services uses the “star” classification.

1* — hotels of this class are located in quiet, unremarkable places. They are small, with up to 10 rooms. Meals are not provided, but sometimes you can get a modest breakfast for a fee. Amenities in the room include a wardrobe or hanger, chairs, washbasin, mirror, towels. Cleaning is daily. Linen change - every 7-8 days, towels - every 3-4 days. At least two bathrooms per floor and one toilet per no more than five rooms.

2* — everything is the same as in 1* hotels, only linen is changed every 6 days. The toilet and bathroom are usually located in the room. The hotel must also have a restaurant or cafe and offer food options.

3* — in hotels of this category, each room must have a toilet, bathroom, dressing table, luggage stand, and radio. The rooms have TV and air conditioning. Bed linen change - 2 times a week. Towels are changed daily. The hotel territory may include a guarded parking lot, a swimming pool, a restaurant, a hairdresser, a business center, and a currency exchange. The hotel staff wears uniforms, separated by service.

4* — everything is the same as in 3* hotels with additions: in the rooms there is a minibar, individual air conditioning, telephone, safe, hairdryer, shampoo, shower gel. Daily change of bed linen and towels, laundry, ironing and clothes cleaning services. A breakfast menu is served in your room. On the territory of the hotel there is a beauty salon, a sports and fitness center, car rental, a TV salon, a music salon, games and conference rooms, a restaurant, a sauna, and a swimming pool.

5* - everything is the same as in 4* hotels, but at a higher quality level. In some cases, hotels of this category have the following additions - a second bathroom in the room and a telephone in the bathroom.

In a number of countries there is an alternative classification of hotels. For example, in Turkey, you can relax in club hotels, which are divided into:

HV1- a first category club system hotel with accommodation in cottages. Roughly equivalent to three or four stars. They have good animation and a large green area, but the rooms are small.

HV2club hotel lower second category.

Hotels also differ according to the following criteria:

First coastline- these are hotels located directly on the seashore.

Second coastline- these are hotels with a road or promenade between the territory and the beach.

Reading the offers of travel companies, we often come across terminology, the meaning of which we do not fully understand.

A first line hotel is always more expensive than a second or third line hotel. What is the additional fee for and is it always justified? We'll figure out...

Shoreline Rules

If you follow the letter of the rules of hotel associations in most countries of the world, then classification by lines provides for the following rules:

  • 1st line – hotels are located directly on the seashore, the distance from the hotel doors to the nearest beach is no more than 100 meters. Between the hotel and the beach there can be no promenade, no road, no barriers, much less other hotels. The distance is taken geometrically - between the hotel and the sea in a straight line. Considering that a first-line hotel may be located in the mountains, and a winding path leads to the beach, the actual distance may be a little greater, but certainly not more than 150 meters. Most often, first-line hotels have their own beaches, access to which is free for guests of these hotels. Usually these are 4* and 5* hotels, although there are also “three rubles”;
  • 2nd line – between the beach and the hotel there is a promenade (a walking alley along the coast) or a regular road. The distance to the nearest beach is no more than 200 meters (directly). There should still be no other hotels between the sea and the beach. Most second-line hotels have their own beaches, some invite their guests to the nearest public beach (3* hotels). Most often, hotel transport does not go from the second line to the beach; you will have to get there on your own;
  • 3rd, 4th and 5th lines - city hotels, the distance to the beaches is more than 300 meters. Among this type of hotels there are high-level establishments - 4* and 5*. In this case, special transport to the beaches is provided for guests. Depending on the level of your tour, it can be used without restrictions or for a nominal fee. Private beaches are rare for 3rd line hotels. Most often, clients are offered to relax next to an excellent swimming pool with both sea and fresh water. The cost of a holiday in urban hotels, far from the beaches, is significantly lower than in hotels on the seashore, but the level of comfort is no less, even vice versa.

What about life?

All listed rules apply to Europe. Here, numerous associations, corporations, tourism ministries and similar bureaucrats monitor the observance of order. But the East is a delicate matter, therefore, in Egypt everything may be somewhat different:

  • The first line in Egypt will be considered a hotel located near the sea (up to 100 meters), but the presence of a promenade or a busy highway in front of the hotel is not considered an obstacle. The main thing is that there are no other hotels in front of the first line hotel. This rule is not mandatory. Old hotels that were built 20-30 years ago are most likely actually located on the shore and have their own beach. But new hotels often “sin” with not very reliable information in their advertising brochures. Exit? Before booking a tour, carefully study the hotel’s photos online, read the reviews (the main thing is that they are specific and not general and enthusiastic; many people like to write reviews for little money);
  • It is rare to find a third or fourth line hotel in Egypt. Most likely, in the booklet the question of coastlines will be cleverly glossed over with phrases like: “there is an excellent beach nearby”, “the sea can be seen from the window of every second room”, “a luxurious swimming pool for the discerning public”. If the coastline is not specified, be prepared for your hotel to be located in a city block. Holidays in such hotels are rarely expensive, but if you come to the sea, then get ready for the fact that the cute young Aladdin at the reception desk will answer your legitimate question about the beach by indicating where you can find a stop for a regular bus, “which is 30 minutes away.” will take you to a gorgeous public beach where everything is free.” How to deal with this? Inquire about the availability of a beach near the hotel, the cost of entry to the nearest private “shores,” and the availability of the hotel’s own transport.

When choosing a tour, remember: only you decide where you will relax. Demand full information about hotels, beaches, living conditions, transport. Check everything yourself on travel forums, review sites, and look at photographs. Ask questions, get answers. Understanding all the “Egyptian” tricks is quite simple. But this must be done before you board the plane. If the main thing for you on your trip is the sights of an ancient and exotic country, you will only need to stay in a hotel with a good swimming pool. You can sunbathe here too. If you just need sea, sand, a beach umbrella and a comfortable sun lounger, then choose a first-line hotel - this is for you!

Tourist guide > Distance from the sea

Hotels also differ according to the following criteria:

1st coastline- these are hotels located directly on the seashore;

2nd coastline- these are hotels with a road or promenade between the territory and the beach.

City hotel is a hotel located in resort town away from the seashore (beach). Usually tourists get to the beach on foot or by bus.

In the USA and some other countries the classification is as follows:

Superior Deluxe: An exclusive and expensive hotel, often in the form of a palace, which offers the highest standard of service, accommodation and amenities. Has elegant and sophisticated public areas. Located in a prestigious location. Hotels of this category are considered the best in the world.

Deluxe: Hotels of this class are very similar to Superior Deluxe, but they are not so huge and have more affordable prices. Hotels of this category can be recommended even to very demanding clients.

Moderate Deluxe: Basically very similar to the previous class, but with some drawbacks. For example, it may not have the same luxurious exterior decoration as the Deluxe.

Superior First Class: This hotel corresponds to the above average category. It can be a perfectly restored old hotel, but more often it is a good modern hotel, specially designed for first class, having some good quality features. The rooms and public areas are tastefully furnished and very comfortable. A hotel of this class is usually recommended to upper middle class clients, although it can satisfy the needs of very demanding clients.

First Class: Comfortable hotel with standard rooms, entertainment and public spaces. May have an entire level or a wing with suites. Most often, hotels of this class are recommended to clients with average needs and for the best group tours.

Limited-Service First Class: The quality is similar to First Class, but with limitations in additional amenities, services (for example, no 24-hour room service) and public areas. Typically, breakfasts are held in a small hotel restaurant, and evening cocktails are held in the lobby. Often without proper nutrition (lunch and dinner). These hotels are used for individual business trips.

Moderate First Class: Also similar to a First Class hotel, it has comfortable but simple rooms and public areas. It may not have some amenities (such as a restaurant). Such hotels are suitable for budget-conscious clients.

Superior Tourist Class: very good guesthouse. The rooms contain all the necessary amenities, are modestly but neatly furnished, some can meet First Class standards. Public spaces are either non-existent or very small. Such hotels usually have a lot of clients. Suitable for independent travelers.

Tourist Class: The hotel is strictly a boarding type hotel. All necessary amenities are available in the rooms. Recommended for clients with modest requirements for comfort and service.

Moderate Tourist Class: Inexpensive boarding house, often quite old and not in very good condition. There are minimal amenities (toilet/shower/washbasin) in the rooms.

Unclassified hotels and boarding houses may not necessarily include only the worst establishments. Small private establishments, cozy, clean and quite acceptable for both thrifty tourists, and for middle-class clients also sometimes fall into this category. Most often, a large number of such unclassified hotels can be found at small ski resorts.