With so much to see and do in Cape Town you barely get a moment to spend time in your accommodation. Identifying this many guests choose to stay in affordable B&B style accommodation, giving them more budget to spend on another part of their trip.
Unlike many international B&B establishments, we select Bed & Breakfast where you will not be living in the hosts house, but rather simple accommodation with just a few rooms. Like Guesthouses, B&B’s offer personalized honest hospitality and give you the opportunity to meet and interact with the owners of the Bed and Breakfast establishments.
Whilst we have our very own Rhino Rating to evaluate hotels, guesthouses and bed & breakfasts, the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa is very active in South Africa and has graded most of the accommodation in the country.
The star grading system has been developed from a consumers point of view and is based on your expectations. The star grading takes away the guess work when selecting accommodation, Grading schemes which rate as good and understandable are simple and focused on the standard of the property rather than on the range of facilities. Research undertaken indicated that to a consumer ‘ stars’ mean quality around which they can make a ‘value for money’ assessment on where they want to stay based on impartial and independent accessment. The basic requirement from all establishments is to provide a full continental breakfast. Cleanliness and friendliness also very important. As a general rule we only recommend 3, 4 and 5 star properties.
1 Star
Acceptable quality in the overall standard of the furnishings, service and guest care. Clean comfortable and functional accommodation. Guest should expect a continental breakfast, or a quick cooked simple breakfast. Bathrooms should have soap and a bath towel.
2 Star
Good quality in overall standard of furnishings, service and guest care. Guests should expect a continental breakfast and limited variety of cooked items could be available. Bathrooms should have soap, plus a hand and bath towel available
3 Star
Very good quality in the overall standard of furnishings, service and guest care. Guest should expect a breakfast wit an extensive variety of cooked food. The bedrooms should be more spacious with additional furniture such as a desk. The bathrooms should have at least shower gel, wrapped soap, shampoo and both a hand and bath towel.
4 Star
Superior comfort and quality with a very high standard of furnishings, service and guest care. A full cooked breakfast must be served over an extended period. Guests can also expect table service if desired. The bedroom must have a working area with a desk. Guests can also expect to have 18 hours of service available. Bathrooms should have amenities such as shampoo. Shower gel, wrapped soap, hair conditioner, body lotion, hand towel, bath towel, shower cap, bath sheet and a face cloth.
5 Star
Exceptional quality and luxurious accommodation matching best international standards. Highest standard of furnishings, flawless service and meticulous guests care. Guests should expect 24 hour room service in hotels. Bedrooms must have a working area or a desk. Bathrooms should have a full range of amenities. Guests should expect a full cooked breakfast, usually available all day and can also be served in the guests bedroom. The eating area must provide table service. Most five star hotels have health and beauty facilities on site or a least can provide them to a guest at a nearby facility. Most five star establishments will also provide business facilities such as internet access as well as fax facilities.
