North Coast Holiday Homes prides itself on offering quality homes and service to all of our guests.
To ensure that our properties meet internationally recognized standards, we are in the process of grading our exclusive portfolio.
Our Tourism star grading will be explained in this article so you can understand what you can expect from our homes and services.
In this article:
4 - Ungraded homes
What is Tourism Grading and why is it important?
Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) is an independent quality assessment and official worldwide ranking system. The only Star Gradings accepted are Star Gradings. The voluntary star grading system aims to improve service delivery in South Africa and give travellers an indication of what to expect from the accommodation. To enable travellers to identify accommodation standards in South Africa quickly, the TGCSA developed a unified star rating system. Grading is conducted by the national body, the TGCSA. To categorize tourist accommodations, the TGCSA assigns a star rating between 1 and 5 based on the facilities available and the overall standard expected by guests. A building's exterior, bedrooms, bathrooms, public areas, service, and housekeeping are all considered when assessing Star Grading.
Despite what you might think, a one-star rating does not necessarily indicate a lower-quality establishment. It may mean additional requirements need to be in place before it can progress to a higher rating. Also, grading standards may differ from country to country. The standards in South Africa are generally of high quality.
There are nine accommodation categories
1. Hotels
2. Lodges
3. Bed and Breakfasts
4. Guest Houses
5. Country Houses
6. Self-Catering facilities (North Coast Holiday Homes falls under this category)
7. Caravan and Camping sites
8. Meetings, Exhibitions, and Special Events venues
9. Backpackers and hostels
There are different grading requirements for different establishments (e.g., hotels have different grading requirements than self-catering). We will breakdown self catering, exclusive homes.
Minimum Standards
There are minimum requirements that an establishment must meet before it can be graded within each category. Service should be the same throughout!
Ungraded Homes
Ungraded establishments often adhere to star-rated standards; however, an official star grading from the TGCSA provides the most reliable quality assurance. An ungraded establishment is more of an unknown, so you always need to figure out what to expect.
☆ 1-star
An establishment that is rated one star offers moderate to acceptable quality in terms of furnishings, services, and customer care. A 1-star establishment should be clean, comfortable, and functional.
Here are some features you can expect based on grading standards:
- Bed provided for each advertised sleeping position
- Headboards (do not have to be secured)
- Foam mattresses are acceptable
- One pillow for each sleeping position
- Reasonably sized mirror
- All bathrooms include a bath or shower
- Shower curtains are acceptable
- Mini fridge without a freezer compartment
- Basic cutlery, crockery, and utensils
- Seating area (inside or outside)
- Free-to-air channels available (local channels)
☆☆ 2-star
The standard of 2-star accommodations is high when it comes to furnishings, services, and customer support. You can expect to get complimentary toiletries and towels in every bathroom as well as a color television in at least one room.
Here are some features you can expect based on grading standards:
- On-site safe or safety deposit box
- Headboards (do not have to be secured)
- Foam mattresses are acceptable
- One pillow for each sleeping position
- Reasonably sized mirror
- All bathrooms include a bath or shower
- Shower curtains are acceptable
- Mini fridge without a freezer compartment
- Basic cutlery, crockery, and utensils
- Seating area (inside or outside)
- Free-to-air channels available (local channels)
☆☆☆ 3-star
A 3-star accommodation offers excellent quality regarding the overall standard of furnishings, services, and customer care. You should expect larger rooms; extra furnishings like a desk, colour television, and safe available on request; and an en-suite bathroom with towels and hand soap.
A 3-star establishment generally provides excellent service.
Here are some features you can expect based on grading standards:
- In-room unit safe
- Headboards (firmly secured
- Foam mattresses not accepted
- Additional bedding available on request
- Two pillows per sleeping position
- 5 hangers for each sleeping position
- Hairdryer available
- Adequate lighting per sleeping position
- Convenient power points in each bedroom
- Full-length mirror
- An adequate amount of space
- At least one en-suite bathroom
- Shower screens (Shower curtains are not acceptable)
- Refrigerator with freezer compartment
- Seating area large enough to seat all guests (plastic chairs are not acceptable)
- Flat screen, high-definition television (minimum 32 inches)
- Multi channels (minimum of 9) available on each TV.
- Laundry facilities provided
- Daily cleaning available
- Braai and braai grids available
☆☆☆☆ 4-star
A 4-star accommodation offers superior quality in terms of overall furnishings, services, and customer care. In addition to a variety of rooms and suites, you will also find a color television with at least 12 channels, a work area (desk and Wi-Fi), and complimentary towels and toiletries in the en-suite bathroom.
Here are some features you can expect based on grading standards:
- 3-star requirements plus
- Additional blankets and extra pillows available on request
- Covered parking facility
- Desk/ table with appropriate lighting, chair, and mirror available
- Window coverings must close easily and provide complete privacy.
- Spacious vanity space in bathrooms
- Must have a separate shower
- Toweling bathmat and absorbent towels, and hand towels
- Microwave
- Cutlery box with sufficient cutlery
- Variety of pots and pans
- Indoor and outdoor seating for all sleeping positions
- Multi channels (minimum of 9) available on each TV
- International plugs available
- Interesting artwork
- Washing machine and tumble dryer available
- Wi-Fi available
☆☆☆☆☆ 5-star
A 5-star luxury accommodation offers the highest quality in terms of the overall standard of furnishings, services, and customer care (on par with the highest international standards). You should expect multiple room or suite options, a colour television with at least 12 channels, a work area (desk and Wi-Fi), and an en-suite bathroom stocked with complimentary toiletries and towels.
Here are some features you can expect based on grading standards:
- 4-star requirements plus
- At least two televisions available (lounge and one bedroom)
- Bath sheets
- Blender and coffee machine
- Loungers set up around the pool, umbrellas, landscaped gardens
- Bathrobes and slippers for every guest
TGCSA star gradings remain valid for one year, after which a property is reassessed.
The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa website provides more information about what you can expect at graded accommodation.
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North Coast Holiday Homes is a leading luxury holiday let company specialising in the Dolphin Coast area, including Ballito, Simbithi and Zimbali. Their expertise is second to none, and you can rest assured that your luxury holiday on the Dolphin Coast will be a memory to last a lifetime.
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