Wedding venue help- 5 star hotel now 4 star

julie_waite

Hi there

We have booked a local hotel as a venue for my daughter's wedding in June this year. When we booked it, in May 2009 it was rated as a 5 star hotel. It has since been demoted to a 4 star hotel.

Just wondering if anyone had experienced this, and whether it's likely to get a cheaper price on the booking now that the star rating is lower?

Any help or suggestions welcome.

Thanks

frannyann

Well, I would discuss this with the hotel. You booked a 5* hotel but are receiving a 4* hotel. How much deposit have you put down as a %? I am sure that they will tell you that this is not a reason to return a deposit (whether you want to or not) but I would be looking for a substantial discount or a much increased meal/drinks package etc.

bigmomma051204

I would hope that they would give you a discount or (probably more likely) an upgrade on packages you have chosen etc.... Because lets face it (sorry to those who will complain!), saying my wedding is at a 5* hotel is very "impressive"...saying its at a 4* hotel doesn't have the same ring to it! It will still be lovely and wonderful - you chose it based on how it was, not how many stars it had i assume lol.....but nonetheless, you are not receiving what you orginally paid a deposit for which was a wedding reception at a 5* hotel.... so i reckon you have SOME bargaining power there! :A

stuart.pinfold

The hotel star system is based on the facilities and service of the hotel parts of the business, not any extra events such as functions or weddings. The AA sets out the criteria on its website.

For a hotel to get a five-star rating, they must:

[Have] awareness of each guest's needs with nothing being too much trouble. All bedrooms are ensuite or have a private bathroom. Excellent quality beds and furnishings. Breakfast includes specials/home-made items, high quality ingredients, and fresh local produce.

...none of which applies to your wedding reception.

For comparison, a four-star rating must:

[Have an] Attentive, more personalised service. At least half of the bedrooms are ensuite or have private bathrooms. Very good beds and high quality furniture. Breakfast offers a greater choice, and fresh ingredients are cooked and presented with a high level of care.

You won't be having breakfast there as part of the reception, and any rooms you stay in (with or without breakfast) or service you receive will be part of the hotel's core business, which is (for the purposes of AA ratings) unrelated to any private functions which take place on the hotel property.

You presumably chose the venue based on a combination of its reputation, service, food quality, location and appearance, not solely because it had five stars. Unless its management has changed hands (which could potentially trigger changes in its service or quality), I'm afraid you don't really have anything to argue about - unless the service/goods you will receive on the day are signifcantly different to those advertised when you paid the deposit.

smk77

bigmomma051204 wrote: »

Because lets face it (sorry to those who will complain!), saying my wedding is at a 5* hotel is very "impressive"...

I'd say it sounds boastful rather than impressive...

stuart.pinfold wrote: »

You presumably chose the venue based on a combination of its reputation, service, food quality, location and appearance, not solely because it had five stars. Unless its management has changed hands (which could potentially trigger changes in its service or quality), I'm afraid you don't really have anything to argue about - unless the service/goods you will receive on the day are signifcantly different to those advertised when you paid the deposit.

I have to agree with this. You book a venue because you like it or have heard good reports about it. Not because it's 5 star.

I've just checked the rating of the hotel that I got married in because I don't actually know what it was. It's a 3* but with it being a Scottish castle I can guarantee that it is more impressive to my guests than most characterless 5* venues would have been.

The OP has every right to question the reason for the drop in rating however it sounds like the OP is more interested in saving a bit of cash now that actually finding out the reason for the drop. Perhaps the venue failed to answer the phone in 5 rings (one of the criteria in the QS brochure)? I guess the AA produced a report? Is that available to the public?

frannyann

stuart.pinfold wrote: »

The hotel star system is based on the facilities and service of the hotel parts of the business, not any extra events such as functions or weddings. The AA sets out the criteria on its website.

For a hotel to get a five-star rating, they must:
...none of which applies to your wedding reception.

For comparison, a four-star rating must:
You won't be having breakfast there as part of the reception, and any rooms you stay in (with or without breakfast) or service you receive will be part of the hotel's core business, which is (for the purposes of AA ratings) unrelated to any private functions which take place on the hotel property.

You presumably chose the venue based on a combination of its reputation, service, food quality, location and appearance, not solely because it had five stars. Unless its management has changed hands (which could potentially trigger changes in its service or quality), I'm afraid you don't really have anything to argue about - unless the service/goods you will receive on the day are signifcantly different to those advertised when you paid the deposit.

Thanks for the information, however I would argue that their prices quoted at the time of booking would have reflected the 5* rating, and now it has a 4* rating I would be looking for a discount. Just for example I looked at one hotel which is 5* rated and for the same amount of people it was £3K more than the 4* we have chosen. That would be my basis for asking for the discount. However the OP can take comfort from the fact the wedding is unlikely to be any different.

julie_waite

The hotel has chosen to downgrade "due to the current climate and to help increase conference business. The standard of service and quality of food, presentation of the hotel has not changed and for this reason the price for weddings has not been reduced."

This was my first time using a forum and found it great to see other peoples views, and the trouble some went to help.

I feel reassured and have got over one of my paranoia's! Thank you.
:j:T

bigmomma051204

Blimey - that surprises me! I wouldn't have thought any hotel would CHOOSE to downgrade their stars....?!!? Surely prospective clients go by price, not how many stars a hotel has....? I mean, if i could have a 5* hotel which charged 4* prices, then i would....just don't see the logic - i guess they mean that people immediately assume that a 5* will cost more, so don't investigate further.....Still seems a VERY odd excuse to me!

Guess thats why i am not a hotelier!

frannyann

I wonder if they thought the 5* status was putting off the 'bread and butter' conference trade, a lot of companies may be over looking them as a 'luxury' hotel??