Quality Assurance

Quality Assessment

All the accommodation on the www.cotswolds.com website has either been assessed against one of the National Quality Assessment Schemes, which will give them a star rating, or signed up to the Cotswolds Local Assessment Scheme which shows that the businesses are clean, safe and legal.

Visit England Assessment Services (via the AA) carry out the ratings and administer the national quality assessment scheme on behalf of VisitEngland.

What do stars mean?
The star ratings reflect the overall quality of the experience:

1 star: Simple, practical, no frills.
2 star: Well-presented and well run.
3 star: Good level of quality and comfort.
4 star: Excellent standard throughout.
5 star: Exceptional with a degree of luxury.

Professional assessors visit every year and test all the facilities and services, giving a score for every aspect of the experience. Places that 'go the extra mile' to make your stay a special one may also receive a Gold or Silver award.

Check before you book
Having a Star Rating is a matter of choice, so customers are advised to check directly before booking to ensure grading and awards are still current. For those with no rating we recommend checking on review websites for customer reviews to ensure you satisfy yourselves of the service and quality being offered before booking.

Most of our providers have reviews from visitors on TripAdvisor and these are shown on the individual pages.

Further information

Visit England Assessment Services
Website: www.visitenglandassessmentservices.com
Email: visitenglandassessmentservices@theaa.com
Tel: 01256 491111

Explore UK (for AA rated accommodation)
Website: www.exploreuk.com
Email: AAHotelServices@aamediagroup.co.uk
Tel No: 01256 844455

Tourism for all
The National Accessible Scheme (NAS) is designed to help you find accommodation to suit your needs, independently assessed on behalf of VisitEngland by  trained assessors against demanding criteria. Assessed properties will have facilities such as handrails, ramps, level-access showers, hearing loops and colour contrast. For more information visit:
www.tourismforall.org.uk/National-Accessible-Scheme

Awards and Welcome Schemes
There are additional awards to complement star ratings including breakfast or dinner awards and there are also a number of Welcome Schemes available which highlight operators that provide certain targeted facilities or services to welcome groups such as walkers, cyclists, pets or families.  For more information on these additional assessment schemes and the star ratings visit: www.visitenglandassessmentservices.com 

Green Tourism Business Award
Businesses that apply and are awarded Green Tourism awards at three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold for operating in an environmentally sensitive manner. They will participate and demonstrate green & sustainable initiatives.

Caring for The Cotswolds
Cotswold businesses are encouraged to sign up to the scheme and then collect funds by way of a small donation from their customers for environmental projects across the Cotswolds through the Caring for the Cotswolds scheme.

As visitors if you want to visit, eat and do things in the Cotswolds, these participating businesses will give you a chance to contribute towards maintaining the outstanding beauty that you have come to enjoy! www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/grants-and-projects/visitor-giving/companies-that-care