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Cars 4 Rental Guide To Accomodation in  England

Accommodation is available at hotels, motels and posthouses, guest houses, farmhouses, inns and self-catering establishments and on campsites. HOTELS: It is rare to find a town in England, however small, which does not have at least one hotel; in villages, very often doubling as the local pub. Some London hotels, for example the Savoy, are famous the world over but there are many newer first-class hotels. In addition, there are many smaller hotels throughout the larger cities; in London, Earl’s Court and the area around King’s Cross are famous for their many streets of small hotels bearing such names as the Albany, Apollo or Victoria. For further information, contact the British Hospitality Association, Queens House, 55-56 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BH (tel: (020) 7404 7744; fax: (020) 7404 7799; e-mail: bha@bha.org.uk; website: www.bha-online.org.uk). A selection of some of the finest hotels in England is available (website: www.distinctionworld.com). Grading: Over the past 3 years, the AA, RAC and English Tourism Council have collectively worked towards harmonising inspection standards and ratings of hotels and guest accommodation. The introduction of new quality standards has simplified the rating system. Hotels are classified by use of a star-rating system and guest accommodation by a diamond-rating system. The new classification scheme will apply to all hotels and guest accommodation inspected in England. Although the Scottish and Welsh tourist boards operate separate accommodation classification schemes, the star and diamond ratings will apply to Welsh and Scottish hotels and guest accommodation inspected by the RAC and AA. The hotel classifications are as follows: 1-star: Clean and comfortable accommodation, with a minimum of 6 bedrooms, three-quarters of which will have en suite/private facilities. Range of facilities will include a lounge area, alcohol licence, lunch availability option and dining facilities for evening meals; 2-star: Accommodation offering more extensive facilities including colour TV and private/en suite facilities in all bedrooms, a lunch availability option and a restaurant serving evening meals; 3-star: The range of facilities increases and includes a laundry service. More emphasis is placed on the quality and comfort of bedrooms, including remote-control TVs. Staffing levels and quality are of a good standard. Full dinner service, light snacks and lunches are available to residents and non-residents; 4-star: Includes hotels with extensive accommodation and smaller luxury hotels, which provide high standards of service and wide range of facilities. These include a dry cleaning service and a superior standard of decor, furnishings and fittings in all bedrooms. All en suite/private facilities will include baths with overhead showers. At least one restaurant will be open daily to residents and non-residents, for all meals. A full lunch service will be available in a restaurant, brasserie or similar; 5-star: The highest classification, with an extensive range of facilities and services, including excellent staff, high-quality service and a luxurious standard of decor, furnishings and fittings. All rooms have en suite facilities which include baths fitted with overhead showers, bath robes and bath sheets. All colour TVs offer cable and satellite channels, along with video channels. Additional fax and computer points may be provided. Brochures, booklets and leaflets giving full information on accommodation are available from the English Tourism Council or any of the regional tourist boards. Back to Top GUEST HOUSES: There are guest houses and bed & breakfast facilities throughout the country. Under the new quality standards, guest houses, inns and farmhouses providing bed & breakfast services are classified by a diamond-rating system. For listings, contact the appropriate regional tourist board for more information. The classifications are as follows: 1-diamond: Clean and comfortable accommodation. Services include a full-cooked or continental breakfast. Probably no private bathrooms or en suite facilities in bedrooms. Limited range of additional facilities and accessories in bedrooms (eg colour TV, radio, kettle, hairdryer and reading material); 2-diamond: A higher standard of facilities, comfort and quality, with greater emphasis on guest care; 3-diamond: An increased standard of comfort and range of facilities, with good levels of customer care. At least 40 per cent of all bedrooms have private bathrooms or en suite facilities; 4-diamond: Good customer care and facilities. A very good level of quality and comfort; 5-diamond: Excellent overall level of quality in facilities, accessories, customer care, decor and furnishings and a high standard of maintenance. At least 80 per cent of all rooms have private bathrooms or en suite facilities. Back to Top SELF-CATERING: Cottages and bungalows can be rented in many areas. For information, contact the regional tourist board or look in the relevant section in local and national papers. Standards may vary. Grading: The English Tourism Council has a ‘key’ classification system: 1-key: Clean and comfortable, adequate heating, lighting and seating, TV, cooker, fridge and crockery; 2-keys: Colour TV, easy chairs or sofas for all occupants, fridge with icemaker, bedside units or shelves, plus heating in all rooms; 3-keys: Dressing tables, bedside lights, linen and towels available, vacuum cleaner, iron/ironing board; 4-keys: All sleeping in beds or bunks, supplementary lighting in living areas, more kitchen equipment, use of an automatic washing machine and tumble dryer; 5-keys: Automatically controlled heating, own washing machine and tumble dryer, bath and shower, telephone, dishwasher, microwave and fridge freezer. Back to Top CAMPING/CARAVANNING: There are camping and caravan sites throughout the UK, for short and long stays. Some sites hire out tents or caravans. Most sites offer basic facilities, while some have playgrounds, clubs, shops, phones and sporting areas. Back to Top HOLIDAY CAMPS: Offer accommodation, food and a full range of leisure activities generally at an all-inclusive price. Back to Top YOUTH HOSTELS: Standards vary greatly, from very basic night-time accommodation for hikers and cyclists, to modern hostels and motels which are often used by families and groups. Prices are very reasonable. For information, contact the Youth Hostel Association, Trevelyan House, Dimple Road, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3YH (tel: (0870) 770 8868; fax: (01629) 592 702; e-mail: customerservices@yha.org.uk; website: www.yha.org.uk). Back to Top

Car Hire England

Cars 4 Rental can provide car hire vehicles throughout the UK.

Whether you need a car for business or for pleasure Cars 4 Rental will be able to provide a car to meet your needs. Our hire cars can be equipped with many optional extras including child seats so that your car rental is ideally suited to your needs.

Hire a car in England