To ensure their survival and profitability, certain hotel chains, like the Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, owner of the prestigious St. Regis and W Hotels, are willing to let go some of their star classification.
These stars, often gained from pain and misery over the years, have now become an obstacle for them to survive duirng the current economic crisis.
Certain hotels must cut some services to visitors in order for them to offer more affordable prices, thus leading to a new classification.
Stars are awarded according to the extras offered to clients at the hotel, including restaurants, bars, room service, porters, laundry, gyms, pools and massages, to name a few.