The English Tourism Council, AA and RAC now inspect hotel and guest accommodation to the same agreed rating system. The new ratings are your sign of quality assurance, giving you the confidence to book the accommodation that meets your requirements. Hotels Hotels have to be licensed, offer dinner at least 5 nights a week (unless categorised as a Metro Hotel) and have all rooms ensuite or with private bathrooms. The different categories are: Hotel, Small Hotel, Country House Hotel, Metro Hotel, Town House Hotel and Budget Hotel. Guest Accommodation The Guest accommodation category includes Guest Accommodation, Bed & Breakfast, Guest House, Farmhouse, Inn, Restaurant with Rooms (no star rating). They tend to be personally run by the owners. Self Catering For Self catering accommodation, the layout and design of the accommodation and the range and quality of the kitchen equipment is assessed, as well as the quality and comfort of the bedrooms and bathrooms and, most importantly, the cleanliness. Campus Accommodation Star Ratings Campus accommodation includes educational establishments such as universities and colleges with sleeping accommodation in halls of residence or student village complexes. It is rated from one to five Stars. Establishments must meet a minimum entry requirement for both the provision and quality of facilities and services, including fixtures, fittings, furnishings, decor and any other extra facilities. Progressively higher levels of quality and customer care are provided for each of the Star ratings. The more Stars, the higher the overall level of quality. Holiday, Touring and Camping Parks and Holiday Villages EnjoyEngland award star ratings reflecting the overall quality of the park from one to five stars – five being reserved for parks of exceptional quality. Holiday Villages Star Ratings Holiday villages are rated from one to five Stars. A holiday village usually comprises a variety of types of accommodation, with the majority provided in custom-built rooms (e.g. chalets, hotel rooms). A range of facilities and activities are also available which may, or may not, be included in the tariff. Properties must meet a minimum entry requirement for both the provision and quality of facilities and services, including fixtures, fittings, furnishing, decor and any other extra facilities. Progressively higher levels of quality and customer care are provided for each of the Star ratings. Quite simply, the more Stars, the higher the overall level of quality you can expect to find. Hostels Star Ratings Hostels are rated from one to five Star, where Five Star equals the highest standard. Hostel accommodation is assessed for both quality and facilities, including cleanliness, the friendliness and efficiency of staff, decor, furnishings, food and any additional facilities.