Star ratings for hotels
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in the South West for a holiday or short break, it’s always a good idea to check out a venue’s star rating while making your choice.
Consistent quality standards have been agreed by the AA and the UK tourist authorities to make life easier for the consumer, and while it’s up to you whether you prefer a secluded location or the hustle and bustle of a seaside town, it’s useful to know what to expect from your accommodation when planning your trip.
You may be on a limited budget, but there are minimum basic standards of service and cleanliness that every hotel is expected to adhere to once their star rating has been assessed. A good quality continental or cooked breakfast is expected to be served even at one star rated establishments, while travellers opting for a four or five star residence should expect fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a greater choice of menu items.
Professional, uniformed staff members are expected to be on hand at locations with a rating of four stars and above, but even venues with a one or two star rating should offer a courteous service, albeit with a more informal approach.
It’s also worth knowing that the standards differ between guest accommodation and hotels. A three star rated hotel offers an en suite bathroom as standard, whereas only half the rooms in a guest house establishment are expected to have private bathrooms at the four star level.
You can consult the internet for a full breakdown of the star ratings used in the UK, and make your choices accordingly. However, an experienced traveller knows that a successful stay depends upon many factors, and while basic standards of cleanliness and food quality are important, courteous service, good food and a personal touch can more than compensate for a less than desirable location or a lack of sea views.
It’s worth consulting customer reviews and feedback, which are often available on the internet, to see what previous guests thought of an establishment and which are usually written with candid honesty.
Shopping around is always a sensible approach, too. Most hotels remain competitive by offering special rates for late bookings, midweek breaks or stays of a specific duration. Lucky travellers can often enjoy four star quality at three star prices if they can plan their holiday dates accordingly.
Remember, if you’re not satisfied, it pays to speak up – the most successful locations rely on repeat business from satisfied customers and via word of mouth. Hoteliers and owners of guest accommodation usually take great pride in their business, and therefore most would be grateful for some constructive feedback.
The UK tourist industry has experienced real difficulties in the last few years, so if it’s to make the most of the predicted increase in bookings for the forthcoming summer, it needs to deliver top quality accommodation and hospitality.