interesting thread, as this year we have been in consultation with our local tourist board to try and explain the 'worth' of the stars to the customer.
We have found over the years the customer has changed and no longer looks towards stars and ratings. At one time a certain star rating meant you were guarenteed a certain standard and possible price structure akin to the number of stars. Now it seems it is not on the customers list of things to look out for when selecting a site.
Congratulations to Ross Park on their award, we have been notified that we are finalists in the Practical Caravans Top 100 Sites - based on customers votes for us, not a scheme and inspectors which we signed up for for that very reason - as it is based on customers votes. And yes it does give us status over the site down the road, but we find ourselves in an increasingly competative market these days at times that's not a good thing at all!
This year will mark a change for us as we are probably going to opt out of paying for the welsh tourist board rating scheme as it is simply more expense for little return - lets hope what we have been told by our customers is true that they simply don't look at the stars when selecting.
On the point of number of tenters we are probably 70% tenters over the season, they are certainly the 'main' income generators at peak times for us.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
- lets hope what we have been told by our customers is true that they simply don't look at the stars when selecting.
I can only speak for myself of course but I firstly decide where I want to go. Then I look for campsites in that area...hopefully within walking distance of where I want to visit. I check out the reviews on here and then I go to the website if they have one and check out the tariff. If all that looks good, then I put it down as a possible. I then of course look at the facilities but providing they are adequate I am happy. I do this with all the sites in the area. It is mainly the price and the distance to where I want to be that clinches it.
I obviously look at the site itself, the layout, size and quality of pitches...quite often this is in the reviews but I am afraid all the references to David Bellamy or the AA and any little badges and stars that appear on the website just aren't of any interest to me.
- lets hope what we have been told by our customers is true that they simply don't look at the stars when selecting.
I can only speak for myself of course but I firstly decide where I want to go. Then I look for campsites in that area...hopefully within walking distance of where I want to visit. I check out the reviews on here and then I go to the website if they have one and check out the tariff. If all that looks good, then I put it down as a possible. I then of course look at the facilities but providing they are adequate I am happy. I do this with all the sites in the area. It is mainly the price and the distance to where I want to be that clinches it.
I obviously look at the site itself, the layout, size and quality of pitches...quite often this is in the reviews but I am afraid all the references to David Bellamy or the AA and any little badges and stars that appear on the website just aren't of any interest to me.
This what we have been told by many many customers Bob61, almost no one asked referred to the WTB grading system or number of stars we have, so we are hoping to make a saving by not paying in this year - altho now the environment agency has decided to charge us for having a septic tank it may just have to go on that instead
To scarletsfair - almost ALL of the gradings/awards systems require for you to pay for them up to and including the tourist boards, aa, rac, david bellamy awards, bhhpa, acsi, kosmos etc etc. Practical caravans/motorhomes systems is based on number of votes, but then they plumb you for advertising in the Top 100 Guide to the tune of £300 - we opted out of this too so guess we won't be a regional winner!
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
We used to go to Ross park but not anymore.Sadly like many sites its become far too expensive for a family of four in main weeks.
Pitty as its a great park no doubt just not worth the money they are asking.Having said that we stayed just down the road at Dornafield once ,a great site with good facilities but now as with Ross park far too pricey for us mere mortals.
As has been said it's all down to personal choice and grading schemes will NOT cover everyones own likes/dislikes
I just checked the list to see what won in my area (The Midlands)....Well the winner for the Heart of England was in NORFOLK near GT Yarmouth !!!! How the hell does that work? OH, and its adults only and has no grass pitches at all, how can such a restricted site win? Bonkers.
Seems all you have to do is have loads of local info leaflets and smile a lot to win an AA prize.
Anyway my personal method to find a decent site (as a tenter) is use this website and read other tenters reviews. I find that gives the best advice.
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I also choose the location first and then check out the sites in that area.
Photos, and other campers' reviews are what influence me. Often there aren't enough photos on the websites to get a proper feel for the place. I have a little look on Google maps as well to get a bird's eye idea of location, and then on street view to see what else I can see. Then I type the postcode into AA Route Planner to see how far I have to travel and how long it's likely to take.
To be honest, I probably wouldn't pay much attention to stars. If a site had a high grading I would assume it would be manicured and regimented, busy and expensive, and not really what I'm looking for. All I want is a beautiful peaceful location to camp in, with access to nearby toilets and preferably showers. It doesn't have to be an official campsite as such.
Post last edited on 07/02/2012 22:14:54
------------- Sarah
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
An award to any site is in my mind a bad thing . other than a very commercial site who are looking for this kind of approval . Reviews on here and similar are far more important . Even a bad review can get site custom . ie poor facilaties no level pitchs poor accsess through farm but fantastic location . Sounds ideal to me . Were as very little control over party goers noise all night ect sounds horrendous but for some groups it would be ideal . And as yet no star award system tackled the jumble in between . Books like cool camping and articles in news papers do nothing to help the confusion . One persons idea of heaven is a another persons hell. Just because it's not five star AA or what ever doesn't mean you will have a bad stay. But just maybe a cheaper stay in a stunning location that couldn't be improved with an award .
In Britain I have always judged sites by the reviews given on this website and on others where available as people are invariably honest in their comments. it has to be taken into consideration that what suits one person will not suit someone else.
We personally dont want "all singing / dancing sites" but appreciate some people do.
As there does not appear to be a common standard of classification its hard to be certain that you are comparing like with like. Even in France where there is a more rigid system of classification as laid down by the "Federation de Camping et Caravanning", it is still down the the local "Prefecture" to decide on the star rating. What is 4* in the Lot may not be the same in the Ger region. A better guide is probably the "Camping Qualite" label which does require its members to reach a high standard.
Closest equivalent here may be "Best of British" or "Tranquil Sites (adults only however)" or the CC or C&CC sites.
Recommendations are usually the best way to find what suits you whether that is here of abroad.
Quote: Originally posted by armchaircamper on 07/2/2012
I also choose the location first and then check out the sites in that area.
Photos, and other campers' reviews are what influence me. Often there aren't enough photos on the websites to get a proper feel for the place. I have a little look on Google maps as well to get a bird's eye idea of location, and then on street view to see what else I can see. Then I type the postcode into AA Route Planner to see how far I have to travel and how long it's likely to take.
To be honest, I probably wouldn't pay much attention to stars. If a site had a high grading I would assume it would be manicured and regimented, busy and expensive, and not really what I'm looking for.
I couldn't agree more.
Yep, that's exactly the way I look for a site.
If it's got lots of stars, I won't look at it.
Much prefer basic but clean facilities in a good location.
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Topic: AA names Campsites of the Year 2012
- altho now the environment agency has decided to charge us for having a septic tank it may just have to go on that instead 
so guess we won't be a regional winner!
