Quality Schemes

When you’re booking a hotel you need to be able to see past the glossy brochure or flash website.  Many countries have their own quality grading schemes to ensure high standards and increase customer confidence when booking a hotel room.

In the UK the hotel grading assessments are managed by the national tourist boards - VisitBritain, Visit Scotland, Visit Wales and the AA.  They all use extremely rigorous criteria and all make reliable and impartial assessments.

What is quality assessment?
When you see a quality assessment logo next to your chosen accommodation, it means an official Quality Assessor has visited the accommodation and given it an independent and trustworthy assessment.

How is accommodation graded?
They are given a 1 - 5 star rating depending on what type of accommodation is assessed.  All the assessing bodies use the same star rating criteria when they assess all types of accommodation

The number of stars gives you an indication of accommodation standard, cleanliness, ambience, hospitality, service and food. Generally, the more stars the higher the level of quality.

What do the different ratings mean?
As many different types of accommodation are assessed under the rating schemes – from the metro hotel to the country farmhouse and even narrowboats – and because there are a number of organisations that carry out assessments, we have put together the following guide to help you understand the rating schemes ‘at a glance’.

The following descriptions give you an idea of what you can expect from all types of accommodation, for both stars and diamonds. Use it as a general guide.

One Star (*) - Simple, comfortable, no frills

Two Star (**) - Well presented and well run

Three Star (***) - Good level of quality and comfort

Four Star (****) - Excellent standard throughout

Five Star (*****) - Exceptional with a degree of luxury

For full details about quality assessments in Britain, click on the country you are visiting:
England
Scotland
Wales
Isle of Man

Awards Schemes
Gold and Silver Awards are given to Hotels and Guest Accommodation that provide exceptional quality in all areas, in particular in service and hospitality. Rose Awards are given to individual caravans where the overall holiday parks services and facilities provide very good or exceptional levels of quality.

Silver Award
This award is given to Hotels and Guest Accommodation. It reflects a high level of quality, comfort and cleanliness in bedrooms and bathrooms with very good levels of customer care and food provision.

Gold Award
This award is given Hotels and Guest Accommodation. It reflects a very high level of quality. Properties achieving the Gold Award have exceptional levels of quality, comfort and cleanliness in bedrooms and bathrooms, and outstanding levels of customer care and food.

Rose Award
Caravan Holiday Homes for hire that are of a high standard are recognised by the Rose Award. These can only be found sited on 4 or 5 star Holiday Parks.