Grading Information
Choose your accommodation with confidence....
Kingsbridge Information Centre understands that during the course of 2007 all gradings will be taken over by the VisitBritain, Quality Assurance Standards. When you are looking for a place to stay, you need a rating system you can trust. VisitBritain’s ratings will be a clear guide as to what to expect in an easy-to-understand form. Properties will be visited annually by trained, impartial assessors, so you can have confidence that your accommodation will have been thoroughly checked and rated for quality before you make a booking. The ratings will be your sign of the National Quality Assurance Standards, giving you the confidence to book accommodation that best meets your needs and expectations.
Despite our best endeavours, we have been unable to ascertain a precise timetable as to when each category of accommodation will be assessed by VisitBritain. However, until that time the current ETC, AA and RAC gradings remain in force and are detailed below.
Please note: Classifications and quality ratings are subject to change and you are therefore advised to check on all gradings at the time of booking. We regret that Kingsbridge Information Centre cannot be held responsible for any discrepancies in the published gradings.
The AA, English Tourism Council (ETC) and RAC have joined forces to create one new overall rating scheme for hotels and Guest Accommodation.
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Stars for Hotels
Stars from one to five symbolise overall quality, level of service, food standard and range of facilities available.
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Diamonds for Guest Houses
The same minimum requirement for facilities and service applies to all Guest Accommodation. Progressively higher standards of quality and guest care apply as they move up the scale from one to five diamonds.
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Red Diamonds
Red Diamonds recognise the very best ten per cent of establishments within the three, four and five diamond rating levels. Red diamonds are selected on the basis of the quality of their bedrooms, bathrooms and public areas.
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Self Catering Accommodation
There is a new star rating for all self catering accommodation inspected by the English Tourism Council. The more stars from one to five, the higher the overall level of quality and facilities you can expect to find.
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Caravan & Camping
Caravan & Camping Parks are rated by stars from 1-5 by the English Tourism Council. Parks are required to meet progressively higher standards of quality as they move up the scale from one to five stars.
Parks are rated with 1-5 pennants by the AA. You can expect to find progressively higher standards of quality and variety of facilities amd amenities as the ratings increase.
Gold & Silver Awards
The English Tourism Council also bestow gold and silver awards to those establishments that achieve the very highest levels of quality.
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Green Tourism Award
Gold, Silver and Bronze awards are given to those who promote and practise sustainable Green Tourism in their own businesses and the surrounding area.
Please note: Classification and quality ratings are subject to change. The classification and quality ratings that appear on this site were correct at the time of publication.
