Ever had to search for a multi-purpose socket in a star hotel to charge your mobile phone? Ever had to search for more hooks in the bathroom to hang your clothes? For iron board and iron to press your clothes? The Union Ministry of Tourism has come out with a new set of guidelines for the hotel industry, making all these and more mandatory at star hotels.
The Ministry has listed a 16-point classification guideline to be followed by star hotels to make them more visitor-friendly.
Union Tourism Minister K. Chiranjeevi consulted the tourism and hospitality industry before formulating the guidelines, according to a release.
Under the new rules, all star hotels should provide water sprays, bidets, washlets or other modern water-based hygiene facilities. All 4-star, 5-star and 5-star-deluxe hotels should provide a telephone or mobile internal phone within arm’s reach of the toilet seat. The bathrooms should have hooks for at least three garments.
The hotel rooms should also have a safe, a tea/coffee making facility, iron and ironing board and hair dryer on complimentary basis.
The iron and iron board and hair dryer can be made available on request at 1- to 3-star hotels on a complimentary basis.
All star hotels should provide at least two multi-purpose sockets capable of handling US, European and Japanese plugs at or just above the table level.
These conditions shall be applicable to all hotels that will start operating from April 1, 2016. For existing hotels, the conditions will come into effect from April 1, 2022.
However, in the case of multi-purpose sockets, till such time as this facility is provided on a permanent basis, it will be mandatory for all star hotels to provide multi-socket adapter plugs on request.
It will also be mandatory for hotels to display their star rating prominently outside the hotel and at the reception from April 1, 2014.
All hotels above the 4-star category shall have the facility of a mini fridge and mini bar with effect from April 2014. They shall install blackout curtains and provide luggage racks, portable or fixed, for two large suitcases by April 1, 2015.