National Quality Assurance Standard
There are two national assessing bodies, VisitEngland and the AA. Both work to National Quality Assurance standards and use independent, impartial assessors. Properties are given a quality rating of 1-5 stars and show the Enjoy England and Quality Rose logo (VisitEngland) or the AA logo.
Ratings made easy ★
★★
Simple, practical, no frills Well presented and well run
★★★ Good level of quality and comfort
★★★★ Excellent standard throughout ★★★★★ Exceptional with a degree of luxury
These quality ratings indicate the overall accommodation standard, cleanliness, ambience, hospitality, service and quality of food. Generally, the higher the star rating, the higher the quality.
Star ratings are also accompanied by a category which describes the assessment criteria and includes Hotels, B&B’s, Self Catering, Hostels and Holiday Parks. For example, a four star hotel will have greater levels of service and facilities than a four star B&B.
Hotels
Hotels have to be licensed, offer dinner at least five nights a week (unless a Metro Hotel) and all rooms must be en-suite or have a private bathroom. Categories include Hotel, Country House Hotel, Small Hotel, Town House Hotel and Metro Hotel.
Guest Accommodation
Star ratings for Guest Accommodation reflect the visitor expectations of this sector, where quality is seen as more important than facilities and services. Higher star ratings are achieved by providing certain additional features and services. Categories include Guest Accommodation, Bed & Breakfast, Guest House, Farmhouse, Inn and Restaurant with Rooms.
Serviced Accommodation - The prices show the minimum and maximum charge for bed and breakfast, per person per night, sharing a double or twin room.
Self Catering
Self Catering accommodation is assessed on layout, design, quality and range of kitchen equipment, quality and comfort of the bedrooms and bathrooms and cleanliness. Categories include Self Catering, Serviced Apartments and Approved Caravan Holiday Home.
Self Catering - Prices are per unit, per week and show the lowest price, the minimum and maximum charge per unit, or where there is a choice of units, the minimum and maximum price for the smallest and largest.
Holiday, Touring and Camping Parks
Ratings are awarded for the overall quality with five stars being reserved for the parks with exceptional quality. The categories include Holiday Park, Holiday Villages, Touring Park and Camping Park. NB: the AA award pennant ratings rather than stars.
Camping Barns
Camping Barns (no star rating) are assessed under the designation of hostel accommodation. Camping Barns provide very simple accommodation often referred to as stone tents. Visitors should normally expect to bring their own sleeping bags and cooking equipment.
Alternative Accommodation
Includes unusual self-catering based accommodation such as wigwams, camping pods, camper vans, yurts and Romany caravans.
Self Catering Agencies
Self Catering agencies advertising in this guide have at least 50% of their cottages assessed by VisitEngland.
Accolades
VisitEngland give Gold and Silver awards to hotels and guest
accommodation
that not only achieve their overall rating but also provide exceptional quality throughout; particularly in service and hospitality.
The AA give yellow stars to guest accommodation in the top 10% of its star rating. This ‘Highly Commended’ rating can
only be awarded to three, four or five star guest accommodation establishments.
The AA give red stars to to select hotels in each star grading. These are awarded ‘Inspectors Choice’ status.
AA inspected restaurants are given Rosettes (one to five) annually for the quality of their food.
Local Quality Assurance Standard
In addition to VisitEngland and AA ratings, you will also see the Quality Cumbria logo in this
guide. Quality Cumbria is a local assessment initiative in partnership with VisitEngland. Although not star rated it is accredited to ensure that accommodation meets National Quality Assurance Standards and should be clean, pleasant, comfortable and fit for purposes. For more information about Quality Cumbria call 01539 822222.
Awaiting Inspection
At the time of going to press, accommodation displaying AWAITING INSPECTION has applied for participation in one of the above assessment schemes. Check with the business directly to find out what grading they have achieved.
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To find out more or to book online visit
www.keswick.org
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