At Dorset Holiday Cottages Ltd. We have 2 rating systems, a Client Grading and Visit England, so that we can provide our guests with the most information possible before booking and assure them that we maintain the highest quality standards.

Client Grading

Each year we send feedback questionnaires to all our guests who have stayed at one of our cottages during high season. Once a minimum of six responses has been received, an average is taken of the grading scores and this is the result that leads to the number of Cottages and Butterflies that appear on individual cottage pages.

	The cottages represent how our guests felt about the quality and facilities at the property.
	The butterflies represent how our guests felt about the cottages location.

We at Dorset Holiday Cottages Ltd believe that it is fundamentally important to be able to present to our future guests an impartial, independent review of our properties from those who have stayed in them.

If an individual cottage page states that we are awaiting client grading, then this can be for one of two reasons. It is either that we at the agency did not receive 6 feedback questionnaires or that the cottage is new on our books and has not been available for a full season yet. We feel that 6 responses is the absolute minimum to create a fair and balanced review.

VisitEngland Ratings

	100% of our properties are inspected by VisitEngland assessors each year. They are then given a quality rating of 1 to 5 stars. This is the national standard of quality assessment set by the English Tourist Board. Our client gradings are subjective based on each guests own individual experiences and might vary based on expectations. VisitEngland's rating system is an unbiased uniform set of quality standards by which each property is judged. Assessments are carried out on the general lay out and design taking into account the comfort and quality offered in all rooms.
	Simple, practical, no frills		Well presented and well run
	Good level of quality and comfort		Excellent standard throughout
	Exceptional standard with a degree of luxury

There are also certain qualifiers that, if not present in a cottage, will not allow the cottage to achieve any higher than a specific rating:

No washing machine or laundry service maximum 3 star Rating.

Beds smaller than standard sizes maximum 4 star (with the exception of some listed or heritage properties). In the event that the property has a bed that is less than full size its width will be stated on the website. VisitBritain states that a 2'6" bed is ideally suited as a child's bed.

Fridges with iceboxes maximum 4 star, lower efficiency iceboxes are maximum 3 star.

Older style night storage heaters (without an instant heat facility) maximum 3 star.

No dishwasher maximum 4 star.

 

The Gold award is given when a property achieves a very high level of consistency within its star rating, showing that it excels in all areas, reaching the very top percentage scores of that star rating in all areas both inside and out.

 

 

Dorset Holiday Cottages Ltd, hope that the grades noted above will reassure all guests when making their cottage bookings. Dorset Holiday Cottages Ltd has been assessed and awarded the Quality Accredited Agency Marque from VisitEngland for meeting the criteria of office policies, practise and procedures.