Although we are members of the South West Tourist Board, simple membership does not give any quality assurances or force the hotel to comply with any sort of standards. Membership allows us special rates with certain suppliers and advertisers for a fee of around £80 per year. Only by putting ourselves and the hotel on trial and applying for an inspection under the National Grading Scheme, can visitors be assured of the type of quality and standards to be expected according to grading. Terms like "Tourist Board Listed, Approved or Commended" are now meaningless and caution should be given to such claims, unless the diamond or star symbols can be shown.

At present a grading fee cost is around £200. Establishments do not know when a grading will take place. Any number of continually changing inspectors will make a booking for bed & breakfast and evening meal posing as typical guests. Only by concealing identity and without the establishment having prior knowledge of the impending visit, can a reasonable assessment be made of the type of quality standards, food and hospitality to be found on any given average day. Identities are revealed on check out and a rigorous full inspection of the establishment throughout then follows.

With the new standards, comes higher quality expectations at each rising level. Paignton has at present only 2 establishments which hold a Silver distinction at 4 STAR level. With new applications for assessments being continually submitted, the new rating system will make the 'hit or miss' factor when choosing accommodation, a thing of the past, allowing visitors to choose their own standards of expectancy and lessen the chance of ruined holidays.

Gradings are quality assurances for the prospective visitor. We pay a high price for protection on your behalf.

From September 1999 the Crown Rating System for Hotel Standards was replaced with Diamonds and Stars. A harmonised standard has been created by the English Tourism Council, the AA and the RAC to make assessments of hotel quality much simpler and standards easier to assess. By working together, the Tourist Boards, The AA & RAC have all agreed the same minimum standards for inspected accommodation. The new system should now make accommodation values the same, regardless of the assessing organisation. An opinion poll conducted by the Regional Tourist Boards found that out of all the people surveyed, 3 factors emerged that were considered most important to an enjoyable holiday:

Traditional hotels maintain the Star System while smaller hotels, guest houses, pubs, inns and farming accommodation used to use the Diamond System BUT we are now using the Star System. Confusing, I know - but it's not our fault - blame the Tourist Boards! The difference now between a large hotel and a small hotel like the Cherwood is basically we will have "Guest Accommodation" written in small print at the base of the signage, whilst the hotels will have "Hotel" written. Of course, we do not compete with a "Hotel" per se; we do not offer 24-hour reception, or room service, or evening meals, 24/7, but we do offer a very much more personal service, where we know the YOU, where we can strive to make your stay more enjoyable - that "something extra" you will not get from a many-bedroomed establishment.

• clean accommodation, providing acceptable comfort with functional decor
• a full-cooked or continental breakfast. Other meals, where provided, will be freshly cooked
• comfortable bed with clean bed linen, towels & fresh soap for each guest. Very limited range of additional facilities and accessories - e.g. colour TV, radio, kettle, hairdryer and reading material

• possibly no en-suite or private bathroom facilities
• adequate heating & hot water available at reasonable times for baths & showers at no extra cost
• acceptable overall level of quality & service

• in addition to what is provided at One Star level:
• an increased standard of quality and comfort with greater emphasis on guest care in all areas

• in addition to what is provided at One & Two Star levels:
• evidence of attention to detail
• a good overall level of quality - for example
• comfortable bed
• well-maintained practical decor
• a good choice of quality items for breakfast
• freshly cooked, good quality ingredients
  for other meals where provided
• good degree of guest comfort

• good levels of customer care
• at least 40% en-suite or private bathrooms
• properly fitted, thermostatically controlled heating
• good range of additional facilities & accessories
• all equipment in good working order & well-maintained

FOUR STARS

• in addition to what is provided at Three Star levels:
• much more importance on attention to detail
• a very good high degree of guest care, extra attention given to cleanliness & warmth of welcome
• a very good range of additional facilities & accessories

• very good level of quality & bedroom comfort
• high food quality using freshly cooked ingredients
• all equipment well maintained & in good working order

Silver & Gold Awards may be granted by the Tourist Boards to establishments that are judged by the English Tourism Council to be so high in quality throughout, while maybe not meeting the CRITERIA for a 5 Star rating for example, area of space, etc, but still demands an additional quality recognition.

• in addition to what is provided at Four Star levels:
• an excellent overall level of quality - for example
• bed, furniture, interior design, & ample space for guests with   a degree of luxury
• at least 80% en-suite or private bathrooms
• in hot weather, fans available on request

• excellent range of additional facilities & accessories
• high standard of maintenance
• seasonal local ingredients used where other meals provided
• excellent levels of customer care