South Africa Hotel Grading.
Stars
The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa has secured the exclusive use of the “star” symbol to denote standards in the Tourism Industry.
Establishments will be assessed and given a “star” rating. Brief descriptions of what each star level represents can be viewed for serviced and self-catering accommodation.
Accommodation (Hotel / B&B, Guest House, Lodge, Country Houses, Caravan & Camping, Backpacker & Hostelling)
Fair to good (acceptable/modest) quality in the overall standard of furnishings, service and guest care. Clean, comfortable and functional accommodation.
Good quality in the overall standard of furnishings, service and guest care.
Very good quality in the overall standard of furnishings, service and guest care.
Superior (excellent) comfort and quality with a high standard of furnishings, service and guest care.
Exceptional quality and luxurious accommodation (matching best international standards). Highest standard of furnishings, flawless service and meticulous guest care.
Star Grading Hotels in South Africa details
This information is subject to change at any time.
Self-catering
Fair to good (acceptable/modest) quality in the overall standard of furnishings and service. Clean, comfortable and functional accommodation.
Good quality in the overall standard of furnishings and service.
Very good quality in the overall standard of furnishings and service.
Superior (excellent) comfort and quality with a high standard of furnishings and service.
Exceptional quality and luxurious accommodation (matching best international standards). Highest standard of furnishings and flawless service
B&B
Definition
Bed and Breakfast accommodation is usually provided in a family (private) home and the owner/manager lives in the house or on the property. Breakfast is usually served. Bathroom facilities may or may not be en-suite and/or private. In general, the guest shares the public areas with the host family.
Guest House
A guest house is either a converted house, manor, etc adapted to accommodate overnight guests or it may be a purpose built facility. A guest house is run as a commercial operation and is often owner-managed. A guest house has public areas which are for the exclusive use of the guest. The owner/manager either lives off-site, or in a separate area within the property.
Hotel
A hotel provides accommodation to the travelling public, has a reception area and offers at least a “breakfast room” or communal eating area. In general an hotel makes food and beverage services available to a guest, though these may be outsourced or provided by the hotel.
Lodge
A lodge is an accommodation facility located in natural surroundings. The rates charged are usually inclusive of an experience offered at the lodge, viz game drives, battlefield tours, etc. In general, food and beverage services are provided for all meals. The accommodation grading process will only grade the hospitality aspects of Lodge operations and not the experience.
Self-Catering
A house, cottage, chalet, bungalow, flat, studio, apartment, villa, houseboat, tents or similar accommodation where facilities and equipment are provided for guests to cater for themselves. The facilities should be adequate to cater for the maximum advertised number of residents the facility can accommodate.
Backpacker and Hos telling
A Backpacker and/or Hosteling establishment is an accommodation facility that provides communal facilities, including dormitories yet may offer a range of alternative sleeping arrangements. Only establishments that cater for transient guests (travelling public) will qualify for grading.
Caravan and Camping
A Caravan and Camping Park is a facility that provides ablution and toilet facilities and space for guests to provide for their own accommodation, such as a tent, motorhome and/or caravan. Only establishments that cater for transient guests (public travelling for recreational purposes) will qualify for grading.
Country House
A Country House is a large Guest House, usually situated in natural, peaceful surroundings such as near a nature reserve, a forest, a lake etc. It offers all the services of a hotel, including dinner. Only establishments that cater for transient guests (travelling public) will qualify for grading.
Meetings, Exhibitions, Special Events (MESE)
Definition
Meeting, Exhibition or Special Events Venue
A meeting, exhibition and/or special events venue is a venue fit for the purpose of hosting a meeting, exhibition and/or special event.
Meeting Venue
A meeting venue is a specialised facility designed to meet the demands of groups of people convening for the purpose of a meeting or function. A meeting is an event designed to bring people together for the purpose of exchanging information or carrying out an activity.
The term meeting includes various types of events that differ in their size, subject matter and agenda, for example, training session, conference, symposium, forum, seminar, workshop, corporate meeting, association meeting, breakfast, lunch or dinner meeting, all-day meeting, multi-day meeting, etc. A function is a type of meeting.
Functions are events designed to bring people together for the purpose of exchanging information or for a celebration, for example, cocktail party, banquet, product launch, wedding, etc. In general, functions (and meetings) are for invited delegates/guests/attendees only or for a select market segment. Functions are often part of a planned meeting.
Exhibition Venue
An exhibition venue is a facility designed or adapted to meet the needs of exhibition organisers and exhibitors. Exhibitions are events at which vendors display their products, promotional material or services to a contingent of potential clients and buyers for the purpose of public relations, sales and/or marketing. In general, the vendors pay a fee to set up their displays, usually based on the size of the area their displays require.
Information credit to SA grading council