Guide to Ratings and Symbols

Properties on this website have been assessed by Visit Britain or the AA, under the national quality assessment scheme and awarded a star rating.   

VisitBritain is the official government body for tourism and the AA an internationally recognised inspection scheme. Every establishment has carried out a Fire Safety Risk Assessment, (as required under the Fire Safety Order), and has public liability insurance.

For more information on what the star ratings mean click on the relevant accommodation type on  the list on the right of this page.

NB: Poole Tourism can only guarantee our commitment to quality on those properties advertised within the Poole Tourism website.

 AA inspectors annually award Rosettes to restaurants in hotels and guest accommodation for the quality of their food. Restaurants are awarded one to five rosettes. Excellent restaurants that stand out in their local area are awarded one rosette. The best local restaurants, offering higher standards and better consistency are awarded two rosettes. Outstanding restaurants that demand recognition well beyond the local area are awarded three rosettes.

Green Tourism Business Scheme  
 The Green Tourism Business Scheme is the leading sustainable tourism certification scheme in the UK.   Businesses opting to join are assessed by a qualified grading advisor against a rigorous set of criteria, covering a range of areas e.g. energy and water efficiency, waste management etc.   Businesses displaying this symbol take environmental responsibility seriously and have made a special effort to care for our environment. 

Welcome Schemes
These schemes highlight operators that provide facilities or services to welcome certain groups.  These assessments are completed with the annual quality assessment. If you're a walker or cyclist, for example, you know how helpful it is to stay somewhere that offers facilities like a room to dry wet clothes - so look out for Walkers Welcome and Cyclists Welcome logos on accommodation that does this and much more. 

Enjoy England Breakfast Award
Sponsored by Kellogg's, this award recognises  hotels and B&Bs that offer their guests a quality & choice of breakfast, service and hospitality that exceeds what would be expected at their star rating. Where you see this symbol your hosts have gone the extra mile to ensure the breakfast will exceed expectations.

National Accessible Scheme
If you have particular mobility, visual or hearing needs, look out for the National Accessible Scheme. Properties displaying a National Accessible Scheme (NAS) symbol meet the requirements of the scheme and have been independently audited by trained assessors. 

For disability information specific to the Poole area please visit Further Info - Access to Poole Guide above.