If you prefer the flexibility of 'doing it yourself' then the self-catering option may be for you.  Self-catering properties can be a good alternative to hotels and guest accommodation.  They can offer good value for money and can be more cost effective, especially for longer stays and for families.  Most units are available for weekly lets but often you can negotiate shorter lets, such as a long weekend break.  Properties range from town centre apartments to cottages in the country.



For self-catering accommodation, the layout and design of the accommodation and the range and quality of the kitcken equipment is assessed, as well as the quality and comfort of the bedrooms and bathrooms and, most importantly, the cleanliness.

All the national assessing bodies now assess hotels and guest accommodation (including B&Bs) to a set of specific criteria and award one to five stars.  The star ratings reflect the overall quality of the experience.  Places that 'go the extra mile' to make your stay a special one will be awarded a high star rating and hotels and guest accommodation may achieve a Gold or Silver Award.

The ratings made easy: