Flanders updates star classification for hotels

Posted by Timothy on 17 January 202517 January 2025

Flemish Minister of Tourism Melissa Depraetere (Vooruit) approved an adjusted star classification for hotels at the end of December 2024. Toerisme Vlaanderen will continue to use the star classification of the Hotel Stars Union for this purpose.

The new criteria focus on sustainability and the further digitalisation and automation of the hotel sector. They came into effect in January 2025.

Hotels in Flanders that comply with the rules of the Accommodation Decree can receive a star classification from Toerisme Vlaanderen from 1 star to 5 stars superior depending on the comfort and facilities available in the hotel.

Since 2017, Toerisme Vlaanderen has used the criteria of the Hotel Stars Union to award these stars. In the meantime, 21 European member states use this star classification. The same classification also applies in the other regions of Belgium: Wallonia and Brussels.

“Our accommodation sector has a lot to offer. For every age and every budget. By further updating the star classification, we guarantee the quality of our hotels in Flanders. That is good for our entrepreneurs and for our tourists”, minister Depraetere says in the press release.

Awarding the stars

The stars are awarded based on a series of objective criteria that are set per star category. Each hotel must meet a number of mandatory criteria per comfort level and also obtain a number of points from selection standards.

Every five years, the criteria are updated in consultation with the countries and regions that use the Hotel Stars Union classification and adapted to the changing needs of tourists and the market. This is done using the reviews that tourists give to hotels on the various booking platforms.

The star classification was adjusted on several points compared to the previous one. The adjusted criteria focus on sustainability and the further digitalisation and automation of the hotel sector. A number of criteria were deleted or merged. In addition, the classification was adapted to the new European regulations on packaging waste or greenwashing.

A number of examples

Instead of extra points for replacing mattresses every 5 years, recommendations and extra points have been added for the thorough cleaning of mattresses. Items such as sewing and shoe shine kits, writing utensils and paper should no longer be mandatory in the rooms but should be available on request.
Hotels that measure their ecological footprint according to international standards will receive extra points for this
Fully automated check-in and check-out services may replace manned reception services in the lower classifications.
The hotel website must contain mandatory information about the accessibility of the hotel by public transport.
Self-service kiosks that are available 24/7 may replace minibars, maxi bars and room service up to a certain classification.

Flanders currently has 769 recognised hotels, of which nine out of ten hotels have a voluntary star classification.

Melissa Depraetere, Flemish Minister of Tourism: “The star classification remains an important instrument for hotels to position and distinguish themselves. It is also a way to highlight the quality and diversity of the services provided in our tourism sector.”

Toerisme Vlaanderen will inform all hotels in Flanders about the adjusted star classification. Hotels that already have a star rating will retain this until they are visited again by Tourism Flanders. Tourism Flanders will check the adjusted rating by means of random samples. Hotels that believe they qualify for a higher rating can always contact Tourism Flanders.