Accommodation Schemes

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This information is part of the Quality Schemes topic.

In this topic:

Accommodation schemes
VisitBritain schemes
AA schemes

Please note: VisitBritain have reduced the costs of assessment for one bedroom accommodation providers and have also waived the joining fee (£61) for the National Accessible Scheme for those providers who are rated under a VisitBritain quality scheme. To find out more visit www.qualityintourism.com

Getting Assessed

To become quality assessed through either VisitBritain (VB) or the AA you need to apply and pay a fee. Before you apply, you should decide who you want to assess you, which scheme you want to be assessed under (eg Hotel as opposed to Guesthouse) and you should have read and understood the criteria and standards. Both organisations let you download their documents so you can do your own assessment before you apply or pay. You are strongly recommended to prepare thoroughly before you apply. You may want to spend some weeks going through the standards for your type of accommodation and implementing any changes in the way you advertise, handle enquirers and customers and any quality improvements you want to make to your establishment, facilities and food service.

After your application is accepted you will get an anonymous, incognito visit from an assessor if you are a serviced or spa establishment. Other types of establishment will be contacted directly by an assessor who will arrange to come and see you. When the assessment is complete the assessor will give initial feedback and then go away and complete his report. This will be emailed or posted to you and after that you'll receive your grading and certificate. You can then use the VB or AA quality logos in your advertising.

Fees

Fees can be complicated to calculate. They are generally based on the number of units or rooms you have and the price you charge customers. You will have to pay a joining fee in the first year, as well as an annual fee, thereafter just the annual fee.

You will have to pay additional fees if you choose to be quality assessed for any of the additional VB quality schemes: the National Accessible Scheme for measuring your ability to cater for guests with mobility, visual or hearing impairments, or any of the Welcome schemes, which assess your ability to cater for walkers, cyclists, families and visitors with pets.

Although the criteria for awarding a certain level of rating is the same for VB and the AA, the schemes differ in other ways, particularly how they distinguish between establishments with the same star rating by using accolades, special awards and symbols and, of course, in their benefits.

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