Accomodation Definitions
Grading and definitions as provided by the South African Tourism Grading Website.
For further information visit Tourism Grading Website.
1 Star
Acceptable quality in the overall standard of the furnishings, service and guest
care. Clean, comfortable and functional accommodation. Guests should expect a continental
breakfast or a quick, cooked, simple breakfast. Bathrooms should have soap and a
bath towel.
2 Star
Good quality in the overall standard of furnishings, services and guest care. Guests
should expect a continental breakfast and limited variety of cooked items could
be available. Bathroom should have soap plus a hand and bath towel.
3 Star
Very good quality in the overall standard of furnishings, service and guest care.
Guests should expect a breakfast with an extensive variety of cooked food. The bedrooms
should be more spacious with additional furniture such as a desk. The bathroom should
have at least shower gel, wrapped soap, shampoo and both a hand towel and bath towel.
4 Star
Superior (excellent) comfort and quality with a very high standard of furnishings,
service and guest care. A full cooked breakfast must be served over an extended
period. Guests can also expect table service if desired. The bedroom must have a
working area with a desk. Guests can also expect to have 18 hours of service available.
Bathrooms should have amenities such as shampoo, shower gel, wrapped soap, hair
conditioner, body lotion, hand towel, bath towel, shower cap, bath sheet and face
cloth.
5 Star
Exceptional quality and luxurious accommodation matching best international standards.
Highest standard of furnishings, flawless service and meticulous guest care. Guests
should expect 24 hour room service in hotels. Bedrooms must have a working area
or desk. Bathroom should have a full range of amenities - bath sheet, hand towel,
bath towel and face cloth. It should also have a shower gel, shampoo, wrapped soap,
hair conditioner, body lotions. Guests should expect a full cooked breakfast usually
available all day and can be served to the guest in the bedroom. The eating area
must provide table service. Most 5 star hotels have health and beauty facilities
on site or at least can provide them to the guest at a nearby facility. Most five
star establishments will also provide business facilities such as internet access
as well as fax facilities.
Bed & Breakfast
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 public
shares the public areas with the host family.
Caravan & 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 traveling
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
(traveling public) will qualify for grading.
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 traveling public, has a reception area and
offers at least a "breakfast room" or communal eating area. In general a hotel makes
food and beverage services are available to guests, though these may be outsourced.
Lodge
A lodge is an accommodation facility located in natural surroundings. The rates
charged are usually inclusive of an experience offered at the lodge, via 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.