Le QR code est-il vraiment obligatoire pour obtenir des étoiles ?

Le classement retient désormais la généralisation du QR code pour mettre le livret d’accueil à disposition du client. C’est l’un des critères liés à la digitalisation des services, au même titre que le check-in dématérialisé et l’accès au Wifi. Autrement dit, un livret papier posé sur la table de nuit ne suffit plus à cocher cette case.

Qui vient inspecter mon hôtel, et est-ce que je suis prévenu ?

L’inspection est réalisée par un cabinet accrédité par le COFRAC, le Comité français d’accréditation. Les hôtels de 1 à 3 étoiles sont prévenus de la visite. Pour les 4 et 5 étoiles, l’inspecteur arrive sans annonce et se comporte comme un client ordinaire, ce qui change tout dans la préparation.

Est-ce que mes étoiles sont acquises définitivement ?

Non. Les étoiles doivent être réévaluées tous les cinq ans pour vérifier qu’elles correspondent toujours à la réalité de l’établissement. La demande vient de vous, pas d’Atout France : personne ne vous relancera. Passé le délai sans démarche, le classement tombe.

Quels critères concernent la restauration et l’environnement ?

Un établissement qui propose un service de restauration doit mettre à la carte au moins trois produits alimentaires issus du circuit court. S’ajoutent l’usage de produits d’entretien respectueux de l’environnement, l’information des clients sur les solutions de mobilité douce à proximité et la formation du personnel sur les trois grands sujets d’économies de ressources.

L’Écolabel Européen et le label Tourisme & Handicap, c’est la même démarche ?

Non, les deux ne mesurent pas la même chose. L’Écolabel Européen porte sur des mesures environnementales : limiter la consommation d’énergie et d’eau, réduire la production de déchets, utiliser des ressources renouvelables et sensibiliser la clientèle. Le label Tourisme & Handicap, lui, atteste d’un accueil et de services adaptés aux besoins des personnes en situation de handicap. Un téléservice permet de rechercher les établissements qui le détiennent.

Hotel stars in all their glory

What are the new criteria in the Atout France hotel classification? Find out all the details in the article.

4 min readBy the StyQR team

This is it, the hotel and tourism world has taken a great leap forward! ?

Yes, the hotel classification now takes the digitalisation of services into account: paperless check-in, internet access in every room and plenty more besides.

What are the new criteria?

Let's start by looking at the new criteria that will earn you those famous stars from Atout France, the tourism development agency in France. Make a note of 1 April:

The widespread use of the QR codeto give access to the property's welcome book
Paperlesscheck-in
Wifiaccess
A minimum offer of3 food products sourced locallywhere the establishment provides a catering service

A receptionist hands a key card to a guest across a hotel's marble counter

The use ofenvironmentally friendly cleaning products
The obligation to inform guests about sustainable transport options near the holiday destination
Staff trainingon the 3 major resource-saving topics

How does the assessment work?

Five stars drawn on a yellow background, the third sketched on a spiral notepad beside a black pen

To set off on your road to the stars, you need to submit a request for assessment to Atout France. Inspectors will then visit your hotel to check your facilities.For information, the inspection is carried out by COFRAC (the French Accreditation Committee), an accredited body and maker of stars.

For hotels rated 1 to 3 stars, there's no suspense! They are told in advance about the inspectors' visit. ;)

For 4 and 5 star hotels, it's trickier, because they have no idea when the inspectors will turn up posing as ordinary guests.

And bear in mind that stars have to be reassessed every 5 years, to check they are still deserved. As we said above, it's up to you, the hotelier, to apply, otherwise you will sadly lose those precious stars...

Certification labels

As you probably know, certification labels are an integral part of the new criteria. A mark of quality to raise awareness among your guests or to reassure them.

Raised wall sign reading "HOTEL" above five golden stars on a weathered ochre wall

We're going to focus on two labels: the EU Ecolabel and the Tourisme & Handicap label.

As far as the EU Ecolabel is concerned, you need to put certain environmental measures in place to obtain it. ??

For example:

Limitingenergy and water consumption
Reducingwaste production
Usingrenewable resources
Raising guest awareness about protecting the environment.

For the Tourisme & Handicap label, you need to offer a welcome and services suited to the needs of people with disabilities.

Of course, you can use an online service to search for an establishment certified under Tourisme et Handicap.All that's left is to put these new criteria in place so that your stars match the standard of your establishment! ?

Frequently asked questions

Is the QR code really required to get stars? The classification now includes the general use of a QR code to make the welcome book available to guests. It sits alongside the other digital criteria, such as paperless check-in and Wi-Fi access. A paper booklet left on the bedside table no longer ticks that box on its own.

Who inspects my hotel, and am I warned in advance? The inspection is carried out by a firm accredited by COFRAC, the French accreditation committee. Hotels rated 1 to 3 stars are told when the visit will take place. For 4 and 5 stars, the inspector turns up unannounced and behaves like any other guest, which changes how you prepare entirely.

Are my stars mine for good? No. Stars have to be reassessed every five years to check they still match what the property actually offers. The request comes from you, not from Atout France, and nobody will chase you about it. Let the deadline pass without acting and the rating simply lapses.

Which criteria cover food service and the environment? A property with a food service must offer at least three food items sourced through short supply chains. On top of that come environmentally friendly cleaning products, information for guests about soft mobility options nearby, and staff training on the three main resource-saving topics.

Are the EU Ecolabel and the Tourisme & Handicap label the same thing? No, they measure very different things. The EU Ecolabel covers environmental measures: cutting energy and water consumption, reducing waste, using renewable resources and raising guest awareness. The Tourisme & Handicap label certifies that the welcome and the services are adapted to the needs of guests with disabilities. An online service lets you search for properties holding it.

Here are the new criteria that now structure hotel classification according to Atout France:

Criterion	Nature	Requirement
QR code for the welcome book	Digitalization	Yes
Dematerialized check-in	Digitalization	Yes
Wifi access in all rooms	Digitalization	Yes
3 short-chain food products in dining	Environment	If catering service offered
Eco-friendly cleaning products	Environment	Yes
Information on soft mobility options	Environment	Yes
Staff training on resource conservation	Environment	Yes
Re-evaluation every 5 years	Procedure	Must be requested

On the same topic

All articles