Quality
Accommodation Classifications
All accommodation featured in this website has been quality assessed by either Visit Britain, the AA, Visit Wales or has recently applied for a rating and is awaiting assessment. This gives you the confidence to book accommodation to meet your expectations. Please be aware that ratings may change throughout the year.
All the national assessing bodies (Visit Britain, Visit Scotland, Visit Wales and the AA) now assess hotels and guest accommodation to the same criteria and award one to five stars. The star ratings reflect the overall quality of the experience, as well as the facilities that the accommodation provides.
VisitBritain also present Gold and Silver Awards to establishments that achieve the highest levels of quality in area such as cleanliness, service and hospitality within their rating.
Similarly the AA recognise exceptional quality of accommodation and hospitality by awarding Red Stars to the best hotels in their star category.
Hotel
Hotels have to be licensed, offer dinner at least 5 days a week and have all rooms en-suite or with private bathrooms. There are various hotel categories including: Hotel, Small Hotel and Country House Hotel. Places that ‘go the extra mile’ to make your stay a special one, may be awarded with a Gold or Silver Award from Enjoy England.
Guest Accommodation
Guest accommodation categories include: bed & breakfasts, guest houses, farm houses, restaurant with rooms, inns, campuses and hostels. Places that ‘go the extra mile’ to make your stay a special one, may be awarded with a Gold or Silver Award from Enjoy England.
Self Catering
For self-catering accommodation, the layout and design of the accommodation and the range and quality of the kitchen equipment is assessed, as well as the quality and comfort of the bedrooms and bathrooms and cleanliness. Places that ‘go the extra mile’ to make your stay a special one will be awarded a higher star rating.
Camping & Caravanning
Camping sites are rated with stars (from one to five). The more stars awarded to an establishment, the higher the levels of quality you can expect. Establishments at higher rating levels also have to meet some additional requirements for facilities.
Ratings made easy…
* Simple, practical, no frills
** Well presented and well run
*** Good level of quality and comfort
**** Excellent service throughout
***** Exceptional with a degree of luxury
For further information on grading and classification:
Special Awards
Wye Valley & Forest of Dean Tourism Association
Members of the Tourism Association are committed to providing the highest quality facilities and service to ensure that guests have a memorable and superb stay.
AA Rosettes
This award is made to hotels serving exceptionally high quality food
Walkers and Cyclists Welcome
Accommodation with these awards provide facilities specifically for walkers and cyclists.
South West Tourism Green Tourism Business Scheme
Tourism providers with these awards have taken steps to becoming more environmentally aware which is a key theme at the heart of sustainable tourism. The awards are divided into three levels; Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Herefordshire Green Tourism Awards
B&Bs with the Wildlife Action Awards have taken steps to promote wildlife in their gardens and to provide visitors with information to help them explore the surrounding countryside. B&Bs with Green Business Awards have reduced their impact on the environment by using resources efficiently and minimising waste.
Green Dragon Environmental Award
The Green Dragon Standard is a stepped standard recognising effective environmental management. The Standard offers an environmental management system relevant to the specific needs of the establishment. Welsh businesses with such awards have demonstrated understanding, commitment and management of environmental issues.
National Accessible Standard
The National Accessible Scheme includes standards for guests with mobility, visual or hearing impairments. When you see one of the symbols, you can be assured the accommodation has been thoroughly assessed against demanding criteria.
Complaints
If you have any issues regarding your stay in an establishment, please contact the provider in the first instance. If these are not resolved by the proprietor/manager and you would like to bring to our attention. Please write to:
For VisitBritain ratings:
Quality in Tourism
Farncombe House
Broadway
Worcestershire
WR12 7LJ
For AA ratings:
The AA
15th Floor Fanum House
Basing View
Basingstoke
RG21 3EA
For Visit Wales ratings:
Visit Wales
Welsh Assembly Government
Brunel House
2 Fitzalan Road
Cardiff
CF24 0UY