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Hotel & Guest House Directory

English, Welsh and Scottish Tourist Board, AA and RAC ratings explained.

Tourist Board Quality Standards

The English, Welsh and Scottish Tourist Boards inspect hotels and guest houses and award them various ratings according to the UK's national rating scheme.

Hotel Accommodation - Star Ratings

Hotels are assessed and awarded a Star rating according to the level of service, range of facilities and quality of guest care they provide.

One Star

A One Star hotel will have:

• Practical accommodation with a limited range of facilities and services, but a high standard of cleanliness throughout
• Friendly and courteous staff to give help and information customers need to enjoy their stay
• Restaurant/eating area for breakfast
• Alcoholic drinks will be served in a bar or lounge
• 75% of bedrooms with en-suite or private facilities

Two Star

A Two Star hotel will have (in addition to what is provided at a One Star hotel):

• Good overnight accommodation with more comfortable and better equipped bedrooms - all with en-suite or private facilities and colour television
• A relatively straightforward range of services, including food and drink and a personal style of service
• A restaurant/dining room for breakfast seven days a week and dinner at least five days a week
• A life may be available

Three Star

A Three Star hotel will have (in addition to what is provided at a Two Star hotel):

• Possibly larger establishments, but all offering significantly greater quality and range of facilities and services, and usually more spacious public areas and bedrooms
• A more formal style of service with a receptionist on duty and staff responding well to needs and requests
• Room service of continental breakfast
• Laundry service available
• A wide selection of drinks, light lunch and snacks served in a bar or lounge

Four Star

A Four Star hotel will have (in addition to what is provided at a Three Star hotel):

• Accommodation offering superior comfort and quality; all bedrooms with en-suite bath, fitted overhead shower and WC
• Spacious and very well appointed public areas and a strong emphasis on food and drink
• Staff with very good technical and social skills, anticipating and responding to needs and requests
• Room service of all meals and 24 hour drinks, refreshments and snacks
• Dry cleaning service available

Five Star

A Five Star hotel will have (in addition to what is provided at a Four Star hotel):

• A luxurious establishment offering the highest international quality of accommodation, facilities, services and cuisine
• Striking accommodation throughout, with a range of extra facilities
• The customer will feel very well cared for by professional, attentive staff providing flawless guest services
• The highest international standards for the industry, with an air of luxury, exceptional comfort and a sophisticated ambience

Gold and Silver Awards

These are given to establishments achieving the highest levels of quality within their star rating. While the overall rating is based on a combination of quality, range of facilities and level of services offered, the Gold and Silver Awards are based solely on the aspect of quality.

Guest Accommodation - Diamond Ratings

The Diamond ratings for guest accommodation reflect consumer expectations of this sector, with quality seen as more important to visitors than facilities and services. As a result, guest accommodation establishments are required to meet progressively higher standards of quality and guest care as they move up the scale from one to five Diamonds.

One Diamond

One Diamond guest accommodation will have:

• An acceptable overall level of quality, offering, as a minimum, a full cooked breakfast or continental breakfast. Other meals, where provided, will be freshly prepared.

Two Diamonds

Two Diamond guest accommodation will have (in addition to what is provided at One Diamond Guest accommodation):

• A good overall level of quality and comfort, with greater emphasis on guest care in all areas

Three Diamonds

Three Diamond guest accommodation will have (in addition to what is provided at Two Diamond Guest accommodation):

• A very good overall level of quality
• Comfortable and well maintained bedrooms
• A good choice of quality items available for breakfast
• Customer care and all-round comfort

Four Diamonds

Four Diamond guest accommodation will have (in addition to what is provided at Three Diamond Guest accommodation):

• An excellent overall level of quality in all areas
• Customer care and attention to detail evident in all areas

Five Diamonds

Five Diamond guest accommodation will have (in addition to what is provided at Four Diamond Guest accommodation):

• An exceptional overall level of quality. For example, high quality furniture, excellent interior design
• Outstanding customer care, anticipating every need

Self Catering - Star Ratings

Accommodation is based on its quality, including comfort, space, facilities and most important of all, cleanliness. The more stars an establishment achieves, the higher the overall level of quality. All properties have to meet an extensive list of minimum requirements before they can be considered for a star rating. Establishments at higher levels have to meet additional requirements for facilities.

All Star-rated properties provide the following:

• High standard of cleanliness throughout
• Pricing and conditions of booking made clear
• Local information to help guests make the best of their stay
• Comfortable accommodation with a range of furniture to meet guest needs
• Colour television (where signal available) at no extra charge
• Kitchen equipment to meet all essential requirements

One Star

One Star self catering accommodation will have:

• An acceptable overall level of quality
• Adequate provision of furniture, furnishings and fittings

Two Star

Two star self catering accommodation will have (in addition to what is provided at One Star):

• A good overall level of quality

Three Star

Three star self catering accommodation will have (in addition to what is provided at Two Star):

• A good to very good overall level of quality
• A good standard of maintenance and decoration
• Ample space and good quality furniture
• All double beds with access from both sides
• Microwave oven

Four Star

Four star self catering accommodation will have (in addition to what is provided at Three Star):

• An excellent overall level of quality
• Very good care and attention to detail obvious throughout
• Either access to a washing machine and drier, if not provided in the unit, or a 24 hour laundry service

Five Star

Five star self catering accommodation will have (in addition to what is provided at Four Star):

• An exceptional overall level of quality
• High levels of decor, fixtures and fittings, together with excellent standards of management and guest services.
• Excellent range of accessories and personal touches

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