Hotel Tier Picker
"3-star is too cheap; 5-star is too expensive" — and that's where 90% of corporate planners default to 4-star without asking whether it's actually right. For an internal training, 3-star with strong AV and quiet rooms beats 4-star with poor breakouts. For a CEO-led pres
s launch, 4-star feels cheap. This picker walks 4 inputs (budget, city, brand pref, parking) and recommends a tier with 3 sample chains, so the decision becomes "3-star with these properties" instead of "somewhere around 4-star, I think".
Inputs
Results
How to read your result
The recommended tier balances budget, brand sensitivity, and meeting requirements. If budget is tight, the picker pushes to the lower tier where the meeting still works. If brand sensitivity is high (client-facing, press, leadership), it overrides budget where possible. Sample chains are European examples — adapt by city.
3 next steps
- Shortlist 6-8 hotels at the recommended tier in your target city.
- Generate an RFP brief — brief generator.
- Score returned proposals — scorer.
Related reading on Easy RFP
Frequently asked questions
What's the meaningful difference between 4★ and 5★?
Service ratio (1 staff per 3 guests vs 1 per 1.5), F&B sophistication, room finish, and concierge depth. Meeting space is comparable at the upper 4★ tier.
Is 3★ acceptable for corporate?
For internal training, team building, and casual offsites, yes — provided meeting rooms and AV are solid. For client-facing or leadership, brand perception usually pushes to 4★ minimum.
Does 'star' rating mean the same in every country?
No — France, Italy, Germany, and Spain have national star systems with slightly different criteria. Always look at TripAdvisor traveller rating and meeting-planner reviews too.
Should I always pick the top tier I can afford?
No — diminishing returns above 4★ for most corporate purposes. Save the upgrade budget for premium F&B or speaker fees.
Are limited-service chains (Premier Inn, ibis) viable for meetings?
Only if no breakouts and minimal AV. They lack dedicated event teams and full restaurants on most properties.