About Ratings
Because the accommodation you expect should be the accommodation you get.
There are now several ways properties are a being rated and it is up to guest to decide which is telling the true story.
Star Ratings
Stars once controlled and managed by the Australian Automobile Associations is now owned by the Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATIC).
Based on property inspections one might feel this only reflects the overall quality of the property on the day as inspections can be up to 3 years apart.
Stars management claim the following:
The “Stars” symbolise the cleanliness, quality and condition of guest facilities following an independent and qualified property review. A Star Rating is determined by more than 200 criteria that have been ranked by Australian travellers according to what is important to them.
Star Ratings are a mark of quality, regardless of the number of Stars displayed by a property.
Star Ratings are awarded to six distinct accommodation categories: Hotels, Motels, Serviced Apartments, Hosted Accommodation, Caravan-Holiday Parks and Self Catering properties.
Star Ratings stand for independently reviewed quality standards and are easily defined:
Outstanding establishments characterised by luxury appointments offering an exceptional standard of facilities, furnishings and guest services
Very well appointed accommodation reflecting stylish décor throughout and a high standard of facilities, furnishings and guest services
Well appointed and comfortable accommodation with a good range of facilities and furnishings
Basic accommodation with clean and reasonably well maintained range of facilities
Simple and clean, no-frills style accommodation with limited room facilities and often a shared bathroom
A Half Star is awarded to properties that provide a more extensive range of facilities
Self Rated
Self Rating appeared as properties opted out of Star Rating inspections for one reason or another. They then nominated what they felt their property deserved in comparison to a Star Rating and we show it as a “Dot”
Customers can only confirm this rating as true or false after they have stayed at the property.
Trip Advisor and other On-Line Travel Agent Ratings
Now possibly the most accurate way of assessing a properties standards across the board.
These rating are based on customer reviews posted after a guest has stayed. Some are prompted by the property, others prompted by the booking site and others made unpromted by the guest.
There is some criticism from property owners that there is a degree of false reviews but in light of the sheer volume of reviews being posted you would have to agree they generally represent a fair appraisal of a properties service, quality and style.