The Rating Systems Of Canada

There is one main organisation which deals with the rating systems in Canada. This is the Hotel Association of Canada. This organisation has many different schemes and awards for hotels in the country of Canada. The Hotel Association of Canada supports, protects and promotes the many different hotels, bed and breakfast establishments so they can excel in today's challenging business world. For over 90 years, they have helped them to compete by building and maintaining a high profile with governments, developing innovative marketing programs, hosting events to celebrate excellence, and providing current industry information and resources. All of their activities and awards programs share a singular goal: to help their many members to be more competitive and successful.

The Hotel Association of Canada’s Hall of Fame Awards of Excellence Program was developed in 2004 with the purpose of recognizing those of its members (individuals, companies, properties) that have demonstrated significant accomplishments, exemplary leadership and tireless commitment to Canada’s lodging industry.

Awards are presented annually to the Hotel Association of Canada members in the following categories:

The Humanitarian Award:

Given for individuals and programs that demonstrate to residents that the individual property is responsive to the local community.

The Human Resources Award:

Given for programs and individuals that develop a climate conducive to new and/or repeat business, create goodwill among guests, provide special services, reverse negative public relations situations or effectively solve guest complaints.

The Energy & Environment Award:

Recognizes lodging properties that have developed a culture towards integrating environmental management practices that improve everyday operations and the bottom line, while maintaining quality service and meeting guest expectations.

There are two main rating systems throughout Canada. The first is also done by the Hotels Association of Canada. This rating system is common among all international rating systems. Once a property has been categorized it is evaluated for physical quality of the property, content of facilities, services and amenities provided. All properties, regardless of their star level, must also meet stringent cleanliness and state of repair guidelines.

Each category and star level has distinct criteria which must be achieved.

A star rating from (1 to 5, in Ð'Ð... star increments), is awarded based on the results of the evaluation. Each star level reflects specific consumer expectations.

A one star rating reflects that a property is clean and comfortable and has met or exceeded nationally accepted criteria in the areas of facilities, services, amenities and quality of the accommodation. Additional stars are awarded depending on the extent of facilities, services, amenities and quality of accommodations.

Where the quality of facilities is superior, a property may be awarded a half-star above its criteria rating, ie. a two star property may warrant a 2Ð'Ð... star rating, depending on the overall quality assessment.

The following are the star rating descriptions:

At this level, guests should expect clean and well-maintained accommodations providing the necessary facilities for an enjoyable stay. Criteria includes standards such as room size, window screens and coverings, clothes storage, linens, door lock, smoke detector, and parking facilities.

This level equates to what is popularly considered "mid-range" accommodation. It exceeds the 1 star level in quality of mattress, bed linen, floors/window/wall coverings, and in provision of bedside and seating area lighting, additional room furniture, and parking space.

These properties will offer larger units with additional room furniture, coordinated furnishings, better quality mattresses and linens, and will be equipped with clock/alarm, extra amenities in washrooms, etc. Private baths for all BB rooms is a requirement for a 3 star and higher rating. Three star properties offer above average facilities and services.

This rating indicates exceptional quality in all areas of facilities and services offering superior quality throughout the property in areas of guestrooms, bath and common areas. The property typically provides laundry/valet service as well as many additional amenities.

A 5 star property is luxurious at a world standard, offering outstanding facilities, guest service and amenities.

This rating system is most commonly known around the world, and many people rely on this system of ratings to determine how the hotel will appear throughout their stay.

The second most popular rating system throughout Canada is the Green Key eco-rating program. The Program is unique in that it is administered entirely on-line. Once a hotelier has registered for the program, they are granted instant access to the member section of the Green Key website which includes the online audit.

The audit consists of 5 sections: Corporate Environmental Management, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage Operations, Conference & Meeting Facilities and Engineering. Each section is comprised of a number of “multiple choice”-style questions related to the following nine areas of sustainable hotel operations:

Energy conservation

Water conservation

Solid waste management

Hazardous waste management

Indoor air quality

Community outreach

Building infrastructure

Land use

Environmental management

Each question has been designated a specific value based on the environmental and social impacts of a particular action and its associated impact on guests, employees, management, and the local community. The audit also takes limited-service hotels into consideration вЂ" in situations where a lodging property does not offer either Food & Beverage Services and/or Conference & Meeting Facilities; the hotelier is given the option to indicate that this is not applicable to their operation. The audit is designed to take this into account when tallying their final score and their final score is not affected. Within