There is still confusion with Quality in Tourism's ‘quality assessed’ star rating scheme used by all Tourism authorities and the AA.

Until recently hotels, B&B’s and farms that were members of Quality in Tourism were awarded stars or crowns. The new ‘quality assessed’ scheme dropped the crowns for more stars while adding the titles ‘hotel’ or ‘guest accommodation’ to be displayed with the stars giving for example, ‘3 star Hotel’, ‘3 star Guest Accommodation’ ‘ or ‘3 star Self Catering’.

With Hotels offering more services and facilities than Guest Accommodation the order of the ‘quality assessed’ scheme looks like this;

5 star Hotel                                        Exceptional with a degree of luxury
4 star Hotel                                        Excellent standard throughout
3 star Hotel                                        Good level of quality
2 star Hotel                                        Well presented and well run
1 star Hotel                                        Simple, practical, no frills
5 star Guest Accommodation             Exceptional with a degree of luxury
4 star Guest Accommodation             Excellent standard throughout
3 star Guest Accommodation             Good level of quality
2 star Guest Accommodation             Well presented and well run
1 star Guest Accommodation             Simple, practical, no frills

There are three factors of confusion.

1 The ‘quality assessed’ scheme is heavily promoted. It gives the misleading impression that accommodation is star rated mainly for quality. THIS IS NOT SO.

The stars do reflect a ‘degree’ of quality but mainly reflect service and facilities. There is no separate indication reflecting the level of quality alone. Although a 3 star Hotel could opt to offer fewer facilities or service than a 4 star Hotel it could offer more quality. There is no way of telling this from the ‘quality assessed’ scheme. Quality in Tourism provides a good method for measuring minimum standards but struggles to point out members with extra quality that offer fewer services or facilities. These tend to be best places to stay.

2 There can be a big difference between a 3 star Guest Accommodation and a 3 star Hotel. This is not always apparent, especially on some internet sites that give star ratings and no descriptions.

3 Quality in Tourism and AA only permit the use of the term ‘Hotel’ if an inspection has been accepted or applied for. The term ‘Hotel’ is freely available for anyone to use if they are not members. There are many places described as Hotels who have nothing to do with the Tourism authorities or AA.  Some of these places would score highly on the ‘quality assessed’ scheme, many would be rejected.

Our advice is to use online booking agencies to source a few places to stay. Check their overall ratings, but have an open mind about the detail of guest reviews, check their Quality in Tourism star rating and description, and also check the individual place’s own website. Online agencies often avoid giving out these website details so that you book through them. Finally, if you are able to then telephone your request and ask any relevant questions about your stay. If you are impressed with your reception then book direct rather than online.