In Austria at the present time one in two accomodation establishments have undergone classification.

Download: Classification procedure

Fundamentally, the star classification is free of charge. For 3*Superior, 4*Superior, 5* and 5*Superior costs incurred for mystery guest visits and an administration fee - irrespective of the actual outlay - are borne by the Austrian Hotel Classification. For 3*Superior and 4*Superior the fee is up to a maximum of 200 Euro (excl. 20% VAT) which goes to the respective professional bodies, for 5* and 5*Superior this amounts to 1.140,-- Euro, which goes to the Austrian Professional Hotel Association.

The application
The establishment owner applies with the completed questionnaire to the appropriate Professional Group for the Hotel Industry in the Economic Chamber for classification in the desired category, stating their agreement with the guidelines for the classification of apartments and holiday flats. The application forms are available through all professional groups for the Hotel Industry and at http://www.hotelsterne.at/.


The inspection 
Based on the classification guidelines, the information provided by the establishment owner and the committee’s overall impression of the establishment, the state committee then places the establishment in a category. Establishments already categorised are regularly inspected and, if applicable, their classification changed and/or categorisation completely withdrawn.
Each establishment classified in the system also participates in the self inspection system. This means that the establishment regularly confirms its fulfilment of the criteria relevant to its category in writing to the Professional Group and/or Professional Association. The decision of the committee is given to the owner of the establishment in writing.

1 to 4 Stars
In each state, a state committee is established at the Professional Group for the Hotel industry in the Economic Chamber. The committee members are appointed by the Professional Group executive. The chairperson is elected by the committee members.
The state committee decides with majority votes.


Appeals
er of the establishment can appeal the classification or lack of classification by registered letter within 4 weeks of the issuing of the committee decision. The appeal must be justified and the demand explained in full. The appeal is to be submitted to the responsible Professional Group for the hotel industry. As a rule, the appeal has a suspensive effect, unless the classification committee decides unanimously to reject the suspensive effect of the appeal, particularly if the general rating criteria of the particular classification are not satisfied.

The appeals process
For one to four Star establishments, the regional committees check the decision of the state committee. The regional committee is appointed by the senior committee and comprises of at least two representatives from other states and one non-voting representative of the state committee. Each state nominates one representative and one deputy representative as members of the regional committee. The secretary is chosen by the appropriate Professional Group.
The inspection committee consists of at least two members who are nominated by the executive board of the Professional Association. The secretary is chosen by the managing board of the Professional Association.
The regional and/or inspection committee visits the establishment and completes a report for the senior classification committee. The senior classification committee is made up of the chairperson of the Professional Group or their representative and the chairperson of the Professional Association or his representative as voting chairperson.
The establishment pays for the costs of the regional and inspection committees.
The senior classification committee reaches a decision within seven months. The senior classification committee completes a decision memorandum that outlines the reasons for its decision. The person who initiated the appeal and the responsible Professional Group will be informed of the decision.