What do these terms really mean? Are they synonymous, or is there a significance difference?

I chose to publish this article because of several recent inquiries and requests for help and clarification. These calls and emails have come from hotel operators, attorneys, and members of the media; apparently not all the media is involved in the “mystery shooting” investigation surrounding Vice President Cheney.

The questions often involve agreements and contracts between developers or lenders and operators. The typical agreement requires that the property be operated as a “Four Star” hotel; the contract does not specify a “Mobil Four Star”, just “Four Star”.

The request I get most often is to define a “Four Star”; what does it mean?

What are the requirements for the rating? My answer is always the same: I can define a “Mobil Four Star” hotel, but not a “Four Star” hotel. In my opinion, a Four Star rating is vague and arbitrary while Mobil has set some specific physical and service standards for the Mobil Four Star award.

The designation of a Mobil Four Star rating indicates that the property has been inspected, evaluated, and officially rated by Mobil for inclusion in its Mobil Travel Guide. A hotel can, and often does, refer to itself as “Four Star” with no such justification. Likewise, online reservations companies often assign their client hotels a “Four Star” rating. They do this because Four Star is what I call a “generic” term which I do not believe is protected by any copyright or trademark law; the term Mobil Four Star probably is protected.

I advise my clients who are considering any operational contract with a designated rating” clause to specify the Mobil Four Star or AAA Four Diamond rating because both organizations have specific written standards that are definable and measurable. It is therefore possible to determine if a property is being operated as contracted.

Since I do not dispense legal advice, interested parties, such as lenders, owners, or others should consult an attorney before entering any agreement that requires the other party to operate and maintain the property at a specific rating level. I would, however, suggest seeking a legal advisor who understands the difference between Mobil Four Star and Four Star. In my experience, the general terms “Four Star”, “First Class”, “upscale”, “luxury”, etc. defy objective definition, and are therefore of no value, particularly in court.

I would therefore recommend you avoid these terms, and stick to the more definitive and objective Mobil and AAA ratings.


Cheryl Thompson Griggs, an award winning interior designer earned her Bachelor Degree in Interior Design and Resource Management from Virginia Tech, and has spent nearly a decade working with the Colonial Williamsburg Hotel Properties. Cheryl assists clients in achieving guest satisfaction and optimum ratings through superior interior design.

Harry Nobles, former head of the AAA Hotel Ratings Program offers his expertise as a hospitality consultant to leading hotels and management companies. Focusing on improving guest services and maximizing guest satisfaction, Harry assists his clients in earning and retaining optimum AAA and Mobil ratings.

Optimum Rating is a world-renowned hospitality consulting firm specializing in obtaining maximum AAA and Mobil Ratings for new or established hotel properties. Our award winning hospitality consulting and design firm is experienced in providing realistic solutions that produce dramatic results. We offer hospitality training programs, interior design assessments and hospitality marketing consulting. For more information visit optimumrating.com