anonymous
2011-10-03 05:31:30 UTC
Accommodation ratings
Across Europe, the approach to hotel classification varies widely. While some countries have statutory controls, others allow the system to remain voluntary. Inspection procedures and criteria differ from area to area - in Spain, each of the 17 regional authorities has its own approach to grading. Similarly, Italy has a compulsory five - level scheme, admistered by the Ministry of Tourism, but regions are allowed to add their own requirements. In both Italy and Greece, price bands for rooms are tied in with the official rating, whilw in other countries, including the United Kingdom, hotels free to set their own charges. Another element adding to the confusion is the difference in opinion about which qualities are important in a hotel. One of the priorities in the Austrian classification system is noise levels - the doors of four and five - star hotels must be sound - proofed. In Italy the emphasis in on cleanliness - in higher - grade hotels, sheets must be changed more than twice a week, and rooms cleaned twice a day. By contrast, the French seem particularly concerned with size - double rooms in four star hotels must measure at least 12 square metres, as opposed to a minimum of nine for lesser establishments. In England, aspects such as warmth of welcome and atmosphere are given as much consideration as the range of a hotel's facilities, whereas classification in Scotland and Wales in based on cleanliness, sevice and comfort.
Italy
Hotels in Italy, including pensioni ( small, family-run guesthouses) must adhere to a five - level star rating system. Locande are usually simple one - star inns. The italian system, however, tends to reflect the number of staff and services offered as well as facilities such as televisions, telephones and mini - bars, rather than giving and indication of hoe good the service actually is, or the quality of the furnishing and decoration.
England
Hotels can volunteer for assessment under one - to five - star rating system, based on the quality of customer care plus the range of facilities and levels of services. There is also another system in England - using one to five diamonds - for B&Bs, inns and guesthouses. These focus on quality and guest car, so the establishment is assessed on such aspects as cleanliness, comfort, food quality, service and hospitality.