ChatterBank2 mins ago
Hotel stars
Can a hotel say it has stars but not say which organisation gave it the stars?
For example I'm looking at http://www.courtlandshotel.com/:
"The Courtlands is a fine three-star hotel in Brighton and Hove" - but there's no logo or anything.
I even saw one place which said it was "self-accredited" as a 3 star hotel!
For example I'm looking at http://www.courtlandshotel.com/:
"The Courtlands is a fine three-star hotel in Brighton and Hove" - but there's no logo or anything.
I even saw one place which said it was "self-accredited" as a 3 star hotel!
Answers
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In the UK they are bound by the Trade Descriptions Act and can be prosecuted for not advertising honestly. The star and diamond and rosette rating system has many flaws within the UK. It's quite unfortunate. However, the hotel's self-proclamation would need to be worded in a most unusual way for them to get away with rating themselves. I'd need to see any specific printed material to determine this. The web link doesn't appear to be working at present for me.
I wish you well
Fr Bill
I wish you well
Fr Bill
At the beginning of 2000, The AA, RAC and English Tourism Council agreed on a standardised rating scheme to which all hotels could adhere. The diamond scheme is for hostelries offering lesser services, such as B&B�s, etc.
Any hotel that has earned such a rating is provided with the collateral materials to advertise and promote their grading.
Clearly, this site does not show who has bestowed this rating upon them. Before I�d jump to conclusions, it might be more appropriate to phone them and ask, specifically, from whom did they receive this rating, and when.
As it stands, I do not believe this hotel is being clear with their description and as such, may fall under the Trade Descriptions Act. However, they�ve shown a quote from the Evening Standard.
Hotels can have their ratings adjusted in either direction for numerous reasons. If it�s done downwardly, it will not have been without an initial warning and then a follow-up inspection.
In other countries (this is not a policy here yet) ratings can be suspended when there is a change in ownership or management. This is a two-way street. It allows the new owner/manager the time to acclimate themselves and it provides a gentle message to the public that there is a transition in place. (good or bad).
I hope this offers a bit of light on the subject.
I wish you well
Fr Bill
Any hotel that has earned such a rating is provided with the collateral materials to advertise and promote their grading.
Clearly, this site does not show who has bestowed this rating upon them. Before I�d jump to conclusions, it might be more appropriate to phone them and ask, specifically, from whom did they receive this rating, and when.
As it stands, I do not believe this hotel is being clear with their description and as such, may fall under the Trade Descriptions Act. However, they�ve shown a quote from the Evening Standard.
Hotels can have their ratings adjusted in either direction for numerous reasons. If it�s done downwardly, it will not have been without an initial warning and then a follow-up inspection.
In other countries (this is not a policy here yet) ratings can be suspended when there is a change in ownership or management. This is a two-way street. It allows the new owner/manager the time to acclimate themselves and it provides a gentle message to the public that there is a transition in place. (good or bad).
I hope this offers a bit of light on the subject.
I wish you well
Fr Bill
That actually seems fair enough to me. It's broadly understood what the star system implies - 5 is luxury, 1 is hostel; 3 should get you comfortable beds with cotton sheets, en suite loo and bath/shower and carpet. Might have a fridge/minibar but those are more likely with 4 stars. It isn't exact, of course, and if you spend a night there and think it's rubbish you might think they've given themselves a star too many. Equally you might think a hotel is worth more because even though the facilities are standard the staff are wonderful. But in general knowing it's 3-star ought to give you a pretty good idea of what to expect.
Jno: I agree in principle. That�s what the grading system is supposed to represent � a measurable benchmark so guests don�t have to gamble with their money. Unfortunately, it doesn�t always work, at least in this country, and hoteliers and regulators alike have been pushing for standardisation.
In other countries, such as Germany and the states, the star rating system is an exact science. This helps not only the general consumer, but businesses as well. As an example, within a business environment employee contracts may include specific hotel grades for those who travel on business. In an environment where it�s a science, it�s easy to choose a hotel grade, but where it�s a variable and everything is wrapped in a miasma of uncertainty as to the specifics, both employee and employer are left wondering.
We now see some hotels advertising themselves as seven star hotels. Determining qualifiers mean nothing as the hotels promote their own obsessive marketing vision of what makes their property worth more than what the finest business and guest practices of other hoteliers has set throughout the world.
Indeed, it�s an interesting science and it is within the same theme as to why I�ve asked in another thread about what people consider to be their favourite airlines.
Be well
Fr Bill
In other countries, such as Germany and the states, the star rating system is an exact science. This helps not only the general consumer, but businesses as well. As an example, within a business environment employee contracts may include specific hotel grades for those who travel on business. In an environment where it�s a science, it�s easy to choose a hotel grade, but where it�s a variable and everything is wrapped in a miasma of uncertainty as to the specifics, both employee and employer are left wondering.
We now see some hotels advertising themselves as seven star hotels. Determining qualifiers mean nothing as the hotels promote their own obsessive marketing vision of what makes their property worth more than what the finest business and guest practices of other hoteliers has set throughout the world.
Indeed, it�s an interesting science and it is within the same theme as to why I�ve asked in another thread about what people consider to be their favourite airlines.
Be well
Fr Bill
The AA give it three stars:
http://www.theaa.com/travel/details/102/377902
It seems strange that the hotel doesn't boast about this nor do they indicate the nature of the award the restaurant has won.
http://www.theaa.com/travel/details/102/377902
It seems strange that the hotel doesn't boast about this nor do they indicate the nature of the award the restaurant has won.
Steve: Indeed that is interesting, which is what prompted my writing them. They have links to two other hotels, presumably owned by the same group, where they proudly display their ratings. However, for The Courtlands, they seem to have no reference at all. It's very strange indeed!
I also note that I've not had a reply from them asking about their rating, which I find to be even more interesting, or possibly reflective of some internal problems they may be having.
Fr Bill
I also note that I've not had a reply from them asking about their rating, which I find to be even more interesting, or possibly reflective of some internal problems they may be having.
Fr Bill
there's always been a debate about different rating systems. Some just award points for facilities - whether a room has direct dial phones or minibars or baths for instance. With those ones a hotel can easily assess itself. Others may give more stars for a nice ambience or helpful staff and not worry if a bathroom tile is cracked. I've stayed in various Travelodges in the UK - clean, neat, mass produced (same prints in all the rooms, most likely); but entirely lacking in character and often in crummy locations. Whether they're worth 2, 3 or 4 stars, who knows? But I know I'm happy to spend the night in them.
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