When it comes to defining the very top hotels in Europe, one should remember, that European hotel rating is based on the presence or absence of facilities of some sort. In Europe, unlike in other parts of the world, there is  no classification like "luxury" or "lovely" or "top-notch", these definitions were invented are in use for anywhere, but not Europe. In fact, one may find luxury hotels anywhere, but even in the States, the country where they have standards for anything one can imagine, there is no uniform standard for hotel business; in Europe exists a strict system of receiving stars. Stars are awarded for a number of amenities like, for instance, armchairs, baths, elevators, carpets and so on. The European system isn"t perfect as well and this is noticeable from country to country. The limitations of this rating system, for example, may be illustrated wit the France top hotels ratings, where modern and ordinary Paris hotels may have more stars than a stylish hotel somewhere in French province, which one cannot find in an ordinary travel France guide; but in fact the latter has more ancient and more beautiful building, home kitchen of local flavor and food and a good bunch of traditions, attracting thousands of visitors all year round.

Top hotel guide cannot look like a technical quality assurance guide, where everything is in terms and definitions, and if something is not standardized then it cannot be good, or considered to be a violation.