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Visit Scotland | Alba

How do we we determine your Star rating?

The Quality Assurance Grading Visit comprises of an assessment of the quality of the entire guest experience. It takes into account every point of interaction guests will have when engaging with your business.  

There are two main aspects which are assessed: 

  • the appropriate levels of quality must score in line with the Star rating awarded
  • all minimum entry requirements need to be in place

1. What do the Star ratings mean?

Our Star ratings are represented by 1 to 5 stars

  • 5 Star - reflects an exceptional standard, with an overall percentage score of 85% to 100%
  • 4 Star - reflects an excellent standard, with an overall percentage score of 70% to 84%
  • 3 Star - reflects a very good standard, with an overall percentage score of 55% to 69%
  • 2 Star - reflects a good standard, with an overall percentage score of 47% to 54%
  • 1 Star - reflects an acceptable standard, with an overall percentage score of 30% to 46%

2. How we score quality

A potential 52 elements are assessed depending on the nature of the business.  A score from 0 to 5 is awarded for each element. This will result in an overall percentage score that will place your establishment within one of five grading bands.

However, it is not simply the overall percentage score that determines the final award.

If any of the 52 potential elements assessed scores zero this will result in no award being confirmed. Please note, where any element is not applicable, no assessment will be made and there will be no penalty for not providing any of these facilities or services.

In addition, serviced apartments must score a minimum of three in any element relating to cleanliness for an award to be confirmed.

For any award, there are also five key areas that must meet a minimum percentage score for the final award that is confirmed.

The key areas are:

  • Cleanliness
  • Service and efficiency
  • Bedrooms
  • Bathrooms
  • Public areas

 

If any of the five key areas score below the band of the overall percentage, it is the lower award that will be confirmed.

The overall percentage and the five key area minimum percentage scores required for each Star rating are shown in the following table.

 

1 Star 

2 Star 

3 Star 

4 Star 

5 Star 

Overall 

30% 

47% 

55% 

70% 

85% 

Cleanliness 

55% 

55% 

55% 

75% 

90% 

Service and efficiency 

30% 

47% 

55% 

70% 

85% 

Bedrooms 

30% 

47% 

55% 

70% 

85% 

Bathrooms 

30% 

47% 

55% 

70% 

85% 

Public areas 

30% 

47% 

55% 

70% 

85% 

3. Areas and elements scored

4. Minimum entry requirements for a Star rating

Read our detailed minimum entry requirements to be considered for a Star rating as a serviced apartments business. You can also browse additional requirements for higher Star ratings where applicable.

Browse the minimum entry requirements for a Star rating
Old Town Chambers, Edinburgh