UK: The AA has announced the launch of a star rating scheme for serviced accommodation.
The organisation has been inspecting and rating hotels and restaurants for more than 100 years and says that in that time it has seen many changes in the hospitality industry as the needs of guests change.
“Whilst relatively new in the UK, the serviced accommodation sector of the hospitality market is mature in Australasia, and is experiencing exponential growth now in the UK and Europe. Serviced accommodation establishments are mainly located in city centres and differ from Self-Catering by offering an element of service choice to residents who often use this type of accommodation for long periods of time,” says the AA.
The AA scheme will differentiate the segment by use of “designators” akin to the hotel and guest accommodation schemes including: Aparthotels, Corporate Housing, Residences, Suites, Studios and Extended Stay.
The rating scheme will be from three to five stars. Full members will be eligible for existing AA Hotel Scheme membership benefits including the recently announced ReviewPro software as well as free hospitality and service training.
Alistair Sandall, commercial manager at AA Hotel & Hospitality Services, said: “We have seen the growth in the market in recent years and both the industry and the guest now see a real need for quality accreditation for the market to mature and grow. This new scheme has been developed through our many years of experience and expertise and compliments our suite of quality accreditation and consultancy products and services.”
This launch sees serviced accommodation join the AA accreditation scheme alongside hotels, restaurants, guest accommodation, self-catering accommodation, and caravan and campsites.
www.theaa.com</p
