HOTELS will no longer be able to call themselves "four-star" if they are three-star in some aspects and five-star in others.

Under new rules, all key aspects of the hotel must meet the four-star requirement if they are to describe themselves as such.

The principle will apply to hotels across the quality spectrum.

Any hotels, guest houses and B&Bs which do not adopt the industry's new revised star system will not be marketed by VisitBritain tourism bosses.

Establishments will from January 2006 be star-rated under a new set of common standards following an agreement between the five main accreditation bodies.

Under the shake-up, diamond ratings for B&Bs will disappear. Accommodation will be judged in three categories - only two of which will be allocated stars:

hotels, including the designations 'country house hotel', 'small hotel', 'townhouse hotel' and (for urban hotels not serving dinner) 'metro hotel' - rating of one to five stars;

accommodation, including 'B&B', 'guest house', 'farmhouse', 'inn' and 'restaurant with rooms' - rating of one to five stars;

budget hotels, for branded chains with uniform bedroom-style, facilities and quality across all outlets - no star ratings but they will be subject to annual inspections.

"While the industry has been asking for a proper unified rating system for some years, it is likely that the proposed scheme will not suit all accommodation providers," said a spokesman for Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association (BAHA).

"We have already heard from some of our members of their concerns about the proposals."

Worried local hotel and B&B/guest house operators are being urged to contact BAHA chairman Mark Haslingden, 01202 369988, mark.haslingden@forestdale.com

First published: August 11