Hotel Inspector reports on Corisande

All guests in hotels in Britain will be pleased to hear that the various bodies who inspect hotels have decided to (try to) come up with a unifies system of grading hotels.

Therefore the AA, the English Tourist Board and the RAC have a common format. Basically they award stars for "services" and "check list amenities", then each body awards its own "distinctions" for quality.

The confusing thing for the visitor is that stars are not an indication of quality, but are a function of quantitative things like "night porter", "24 hour room service", "uniformed staff", "full length mirrors", etc. For some peculiar reason they all have a thing about "covered tea bags" at the moment. It is unclear whether guests are offended by uncovered tea bags, whether it is considered unhygienic, or whether (the most likely explanation) nobody knows, but it has just been put on the check list so they police it.

Here are a couple of typical reports from inspectors, who has stayed anonymously overnight and , like superman, revealed their true identity after paying their bill. They then have a full tour of all bedrooms, and a discussion with me which takes all morning. I therefore hope our guest appreciate the sterling efforts that these "quality assessors" and I put in to ensure you comfort

The only comment I would make on the first report is that the inspector found us "friendly" which I believe that we indeed are. However friendliness is a two way process, we rely on our guests reciprocating!! The second report is from an AA inspector.

Overall the Tourist Board gave us a quality grading of "Highly Commended" and the AA gave us a quality grading of 75% and a Rosette for our cooking. It means that both these grading organisations put us at the very top of quality gradings in Cornwall (for the record there are only 10 hotels that get a higher quality mark than we do, and most of these, like the Seafood Restaurant in Padstow are not just more expensive, they are considerably more expensive)

Excerpts from a report by Tourist Board Inspector 14th September 1998

Following the recent visit, an assessment was completed under the Crown scheme, and the new harmonised standards. The quality grade of "HIGHLY COMMENDED" is confirmed under the scheme.

Exterior

The hotel enjoys outstanding views over the sea and surrounding countryside, with terraced grounds extending to the waters edge, the garden is in the process of being restored after years of neglect ....

Public Areas

The entrance hall ,stairs and lounge have been redecorated to very good effect, with an attractive colour scheme, co-ordinating furniture and furnishings, an abundance of books, artefacts, quality pictures and antique furniture...

The standard of housekeeping is very good throughout these areas

Bedrooms

The majority of bedrooms have been redecorated to an extremely high standard, there are four rooms on the lower ground floor that are to benefit from the same treatment this winter...

The redecorated rooms have quality drapes that co-ordinate with the decor and excellent beds and bedding, with padded headboards, or antique bases...

There is new flooring, excellent lighting and a high level of accessories, including a hair drier, a very good folder of information about the property and the surrounding area, and bathrobes. The pictures and furniture are in keeping with the style of the building, and many of the rooms have interesting features.

Housekeeping in the bedrooms was very good overall, with attention required to the container for the beverage tray, where the requirement for wrapped tea bags would be of assistance...

Bathrooms

The standard of the new bathrooms is very high, with excellent fittings including bath and shower, with Swift being particularly spacious. There is new flooring, and very good lighting

Bedroom housekeeping, there was minor dust on lower levels, but overall the standard was very good

Restaurant

This is an interesting room with a feature ceiling, very good flooring and lighting of a high standard. The tables were well presented

The housekeeping was of a very high standard in this area

(guests note the tourist board do not at present comment on the quality of the food - I find this very odd, but food quality is not part of their grading system)

Hospitality and Efficiency

There was a very friendly welcome on arrival, with assistance with luggage, the room facilities demonstrated, and refreshment offered

Lounge Service

Refreshment was served in the lounge on arrival, and was of a good standard, with home-made cake and biscuits. Coffee was also served here after dinner and was of a very good standard, all service being very friendly and efficient

Bar/wine service

There is no bar, but drinks are served in the lounge, with n informal manner, and there is a very full and comprehensive wine list, with assistance with choice, and it was pleasing to have half bottles offered. The service at dinner was excellent, with the bottle shown, opportunity to taste and a top up service

Dinner Service

The service was very attentive and there was a very good atmosphere created by the proprietor. The presentation of the meal was very good, with a pleasing selection of vegetables, and well cooked items including crab soup, venison pate, plaice and lemon tart.

Breakfast Service

There is no menu provided for breakfast, and this was discussed, with the proprietor telling guests what was available. ..

The standard of cooked items was good, there was fresh grapefruit and good quality coffee..

Room Service

Morning tea and a wake up call were provided in a very friendly manner, with a well presented tea tray

Departure

The account was ready for departure, and there was assistance with luggage, from the friendly proprietor

Excerpts from a report by an AA Inspector 1st October 1998

Since the Grants took over they have wasted no time in improving the quality and comfort of both public areas and bedrooms. The results display the innate professionalism and good taste of the proprietors which has resulted in this highly interesting country house slowly being returned to its former glory. The standard of cuisine remains high whilst other areas, including Service, Hospitality and Cleanliness also exceed expectations.

Service; The standard of service received throughout the visit was high and exceeded expectations under the New Quality Standards. Mrs Grant provided an escort to the room, offering help with the luggage and giving a full explanation of the facilities. Afternoon tea was also offered... Mr Grant maintained an efficient but informal style of service both at dinner and breakfast. Whilst check out saw the bill ready on request; Cuisine; The retaining of one rosette is recommended. The choice of dishes on the dinner menu is limited, but is compensated for by the quality and presentation of cuisine. All courses at dinner were prepared with care and proved successful and worthy of the award. Cooked breakfast was hot, greasefree and appetising (Corisande's note - this comment on breakfast tells you a lot about the AA inspectors life in the average hotel !!); Bedrooms; Scoring here reflects the considerable investment in bedroom stock, which overall exceeds requirements. Rooms on the first and second floors have been upgraded with taste and care, whilst those on the lower ground floor are due for similar treatment this year.; Public Areas; The quality of public areas remains high, exceeding expectations. The lounge, which has stunning views over the Gannel, is soon to be improved when a new balcony is re-built and widened.. The decor ambience and owners propensity for civilised taste and detail offers guests a "country house" atmosphere, but within walking distance of the sea. Extensive river-fronting gardens, now being renovated, offer guests peace and tranquillity; Cleanliness; The standard of housekeeping was found to be satisfactory throughout the hotel