Re: [Fwd: Re: innkeeping: AAA ratings]

[Barb Winandsy <hillend@clinton.net>]

I wish to address the AAA rating system from the perspective that it is 
frustrating for a small or large bed & breakfast to be rated by  a 
creditable, recognizable, established organization.  Not all guidebooks 
and/or promotion campaign work for everyone.  But the AAA guidebook 
seems to be one of the few promotional avenues that works the most 
consistently for all who participate thus it is frustrating to not 
qualify for inclusion or that the rating system is subjective.

It appears that the consumers and the bed & breakfast industry have 
placed a lot of emphasis on ratings and inspections.  Although state 
associations inspect bed and breakfasts, inspection process is not as 
creditable to the consumer or the industry as AAA, Mobil or American Bed 
and Breakfast Association.  

The problem as I see it is that if the bed and breakfast cannot be rated 
or rated properly through AAA, or you cannot afford to join the ABBA, or 
the Mobil guide inspects the bed & breakfast but chooses not to include 
it due to space limitations there are few alternative sources in which 
to become rated thus notifying the consumer of the "high level of 
personalized service" provided.  (Please note that I am not a AAA 
inspected property at this time but I am currently applying for 
inspection.)

I do not know the answer to this problem since ratings are a "necessary 
evil" provding in the consumer basis in which to make a 
decision.  Currently only a few organizations have chosen to develop 
criteria and have invested monies and personnel for rating bed & 
breakfasts, those are the organizations we have to work with.