Star ratings and welcome schemes explained

In Northern Ireland all tourist accommodation must be inspected by NITB to ensure it meets minimum standards set by the Tourism (Northern Ireland) Order 1992.

In addition to the requirements to meet minimum standards, accommodation providers can also choose to be graded under NITB’s star grading scheme.
We use a five level star grading system to indicate the standard of customer care, quality, condition and range of facilities on offer at participating establishments.
The awards focus on a range of key areas including the standard of the welcome and hospitality in serviced accommodation, as well as cleanliness, standard of bedrooms, bathrooms and, where applicable, food. The number of stars awarded to a property indicates the standard visitors can expect of the property:

• 1 star: clean and tidy, a fair and acceptable standard
• 2 stars: a good overall standard
• 3 stars: a very good standard
• 4 stars: an excellent standard
• 5 stars: an exceptional standard

Star-graded establishments:

An extensive range of tourist accommodation is assessed under NITB’s star-grading scheme including:

Serviced and self-catering

B&Bs, budget hotels, exclusive-use venues, guest accommodation, guest houses, hotels and self-catering.

Hostels

Activity accommodation, backpackers, group accommodation and hostels.

Caravan and camping

Camping parks, holiday caravans, holiday parks and touring parks.

NITB also assess visitor attractions:

Activity centres, arts venues, castles, gardens, garden centres, historic attractions, historic houses, museums, tours and tourist shops.

Welcome Schemes

The Welcome Schemes recognise special efforts made by operators to provide for visitors, and to help you choose accommodation suitable to your needs. Those operators participating in the Welcome Schemes should display a positive attitude towards anglers, cyclists, pet owners, families, golfers or walkers and a genuine desire to meet and anticipate your needs.

  

  

What you can expect:

Anglers welcome scheme

A suitable facility for the drying and storage of fishing clothing, storage boxes for rods; a daily weather forecast; freezer facility for bait or catch and facilities for preparing catch. Equally important is the local knowledge of where to fish.

Cyclists welcome scheme

A supply of maps and local cycling routes, a lockable shed for bike storage, information on local transport services, contact details of nearest cycle specialist and a suitable facility for the drying and storage of clothing.

Dogs welcome scheme

Details of local dog walks, pet shops and vets, the provision of a food and water bowl, suitable food preparation area, towels available for use on pets and storage space for animal transportation crates.

Families welcome scheme

A storage area for pushchairs, availability of high chairs and cots, local activity and eateries provided along with contact details for local doctors all allow parents peace of mind while on holiday.

Golfers welcome scheme

A suitable facility for the drying and storage of outdoor clothing, lockable storage for golf clubs, a daily weather forecast, details of tee-off times and local sports/golf shops.

Walkers welcome scheme

A suitable facility for the drying and storage of outdoor clothing, provision of ordnance survey maps and local public transport information, early breakfast options and a packed lunch on request.