Acknowledged Hotels Dear Guest, A number of our local businesses concerned with guest accommodation have aligned themselves with the classification systems intended to optimise standards considered ideal and appropriate for welcoming guests. The following certification measures and conditions have implied considerable financial and personal commitment in order to comply with the needs of our guests. For their part, guests can be assured on their arri-val that the standards associated with these quality features are at hand. With this in mind, we would like to recommend that guests note the following characteristics when making their decision to stay with us. Service Quality Germany What do guests expect from us? How do they experience our services and how can we adjust our service performance to their needs and requirements? The training and cer-tification initiatives, Service/Quality Germany, have consistently analysed service per-formance from the point of view of the guest. In this, research was not so much concer-ned with furnishings and 'hardware', but more with the requirements and expecta-tions of guests. As an active programme dealing with service personnel concerned with promoting quality, it urges its members to orientate themselves to this from the very beginning and also to the goal of systematically promoting further improvement. In this way, Service/Quality Germany sees itself not only as useful to guests, but also as a means of encouraging motivation and commitment among service personnel. German Hotel Classification System (DEHOGA) The German Hotel Classification System was brought into existence in 1996 and is valid throughout the country. As many as 280 criteria were checked with regard to the follo-wing areas: building/room offer, service, type of service offered, leisure facilities, in-house conference facilities, design/fittings and furnishings. Subjective impressions and gastronomical judgements were not a part of the assessments. 1-star Tourist – simple accommodation 2-stars Standard – catering for standard requirements 3-stars Comfort – catering for more comfortable demands 4-stars First Class – furnishings and service of high standard 5-stars Luxury – highest standards in service and furnishings Superior Service and furnishings correspond with the next highest category The Classification of Holiday Apartment and House Accommodation According to the German Tourist Association (DTV) The classification of the German Tourist Association complements that of the German Hotel Classification for holiday apartment and house accommodation as well as priva-te rooms. The stars shown are a symbol for controlled performance features. Accommodation is divided into five categories as follows: 1-star simple but adequate furnishing 2-stars good, comfortable furnishing 3-stars homely furnishing all round with comfortable facilities of better quality 4-stars high-quality, very comfortable furnishings and fittings 5-stars luxury facilities all round (highest quality) Bed and Bike Those accommodation facilities, which display the 'Bed and Bike' sign, offer the cyclist a special service. It provides a separate, lockable room for cycles, for example, the pos-sibility to dry clothes and also offers a breakfast rich in vitamins and carbohydrates, the sale or loan of cycle tour tickets, up-to-date timetables for public transport, a cycle repair kit at the guest's disposal and information about the nearest cycle repair shop. World Heritage, Upper Middle Rhine Valley The World Heritage certification 'Recommended World Heritage' is achieved by filling out a form with personal details. These are then forwarded to the European Tourist Institute by the local association and later tested by them on site. The main emphasis is on the regional connection with especial reference to the quality of information and communication offered (history, particular attractions and events within the heritage area). Wanderbares Deutschland Quality Certificate The German Walking Association has set quality standards throughout Germany with their Wanderbares Deutschland (= walkable Germany) Quality Certificate. Together with competent regional partners they certify particularly walker-friendly accommo-dations and culinary establishments in Germany. The quality certificate list is continu-ously expanding. Services offered include preparation of boxed lunches, pick-up and drop-off service, clothes-drying possibility, choice of walking-trail maps, current public transportation time tables as well as the latest weather reports. Several of the quality certificate holders are also ‘Rheinsteig Partner Businesses’. Symbols Room with telephone TV Restaurant Lift Parking Garage Conference room Domestic animals allowed Suitable for wheelchairs Credit cards accepted Cycle accommodation Cycle hire Balcony/Terrace No Smoking Washing machine Dish-washing machine Bread roll service Internet access Dutch Englisch Spanish French