Accommodation: how the star grading system works

Posted by Shelley Pembroke on 15 April 2013

Everyone wants it: the 5-star experience. You know, because we saw it in that one movie that one time. But do you actually know what that means, where the stars come from, how they get placed and whether or not they may affect your star sign?

Worry not, dear friends, for I am here to explain why you should be picking the places with those pretty, pretty stars.

The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa are the people responsible for dishing out the (legit) stars, and they recently sent yours truly on a rather special trip down to Cape Town to better understand the grading process. Now, before this, I knew about as much as the next Average Joe and expected what I’m sure many of you expect:

1 star = bad, 5 star = good, right?

Um, wrong …

How the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa awards stars

Think of it as buying a car. Some people want the luxury of a BMW 7 Series, while others just want the practicality of a Tata Indica. Is either a ‘bad’ car? No. They’re both great for what they offer and what you’ve paid for. Star grading is designed to allow you to book the accommodation that best covers your needs and budgets. Not everyone can afford ultimate luxury, but you want to be sure you’re getting exactly what you need. And each type of accommodation has its own grading criteria so you have an exact idea of what to expect, whether you’re staying at a backpackers or a hotel.

As a consumer (grrr, I hate that word), it’s your right to know just what you’re getting into. If you book your holiday with certain expectations, then damn it, they should be met. If all you need is a bed and a loo, then they’d better be sparkling clean. If you’ve paid for the Kobe beef of accommodation, then you’d better not get stuck with a sloppy joe. Star grading is your way of making sure that’s exactly what you’re getting.

During my time in Cape Town, I stayed at the unbelievable Ocean View House, a 4-star guest house in Camps Bay, while my compatriots stayed at The Winchester Mansions in Sea Point and the Atlantic Point Backpackers, both 4-Star establishments in their respective categories. Despite their obvious differences, the grading criteria for each were described in great detail, and gave us enough insight to understand how they got their stars.

I, for one, was ecstatic with my placement and damn it, I milked it for all it was worth. Someone was paying for a 4-star experience (whoever it was, thanks) and I got exactly that. The breakfast was sublime, the facilities were impressive and the view was, well, let’s just say it made me rethink all my bad decisions and want to be a better person. I slept like a baby, I awoke refreshed and only mildly hungover, and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my downtime than with a glass of wine on the gorgeous, panoramic balcony. Throw in a few extra tourist activities and some sensational lunches and dinners, and I definitely got the 4-star weekend I was planning on.

And that’s just it – you want your holiday to be as good as you’ve planned for it to be. And this is what using a star-graded establishment does for you.

Find out more about what you can expect at your graded accommodation, as well as how to get your establishment graded at www.tourismgrading.co.za