VisitEngland’s unique Gold and Silver awards are given in recognition of exceptional quality within a property's star rating, or for outperforming a star rating. Serviced accommodation (hotels and guest houses) are eligible to receive either a Silver or Gold award, where as self-catering and serviced apartments (new for 2009) are able to achieve a Gold award only. 

The assessment criteria for obtaining a Gold or Silver award varies between types of accommodation. However, properties do need to be a member of VisitEngland’s Quality Assessment Scheme in order to go for an award. 

Serviced Accommodation:

For serviced accommodation, consistent levels of high quality must be demonstrated in all key areas identified by consumers as very important. High quality scores must be achieved as follows:

For guest accommodation, the areas are:
• Housekeeping 
• Hospitality 
• Bedrooms 
• Bathrooms 
• Breakfast    

And for hotels: 
• Housekeeping  
• Hospitality 
• Service 
• Bedrooms 
• Bathrooms 
• Food       

For more information on how to achieve a Gold or Silver award for Serviced Accommodation, click here.

Self-Catering Accommodation and Serviced Apartments:

VisitEngland recently announced a new Gold award for its self-catering businesses.  The awards have been given to the top scoring 5-star properties and all 4-star properties with 5-star quality scores that are 'capped' because they don't offer all the facilities and services required to achieve 5 stars. (eg. bath AND shower). The same applies to a few 2 and 3-star properties with high 4-star quality scores. This will mirror the hotels and guest accommodation awards, which can be achieved by properties at all star levels. 
                                                      
Additionally, a number of 4-star Gold awards have been given to the properties with high overall scores and solid scores in the sectional consistency areas, to include public areas, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen and cleanliness.
VisitEngland has taken into account the views of participants and the Assessors in developing the guidelines. 2009 will be a pilot year and the process and criteria will be reviewed for next year. 
              
Unlike the Gold and Silver awards for hotels and guest accommodation, the assessors will not confirm the award after the annual visit. Instead there will be a review of the previous year's scores in March 2010 and the 2010/11 awards will be announced soon after.   
                        
The award is for the individual unit and awarded annually for the following 12 months only. In multi-unit businesses, it is important to show clearly on websites which units have received the award. 

To find out whether you are close to achieving a Gold award, or for more information and general hints and tips on how to achieve one, click here.

Displaying your award…

Individual recipients of a Gold or Silver award will receive a certificate congratulating them on their achievement, which can be displayed in the property. The Gold or Silver award logo can also be displayed on all websites. Signs for each award can be ordered from Alpen Signs, VisitEngland's supplier. 

Why not take a look at what Gold and Silver awarded accommodation has to offer…

All Gold and Silver award properties are listed in the Official Tourist Board Guide to Quality-Assessed Accommodation (formerly known as the 'Where to Stay Guides') found in all good bookshops. They can also be found in our EnjoyEngland and VisitBritain websites.