Today we take another look at Atout France, the awarding of points and hotel classification. You know what’s at stake, and so do we. The digital welcome booklet will be your ally in fulfilling many of the required criteria, because our aim is for you to keep your stars, or even better, to get them back.
What is the missionof Atout France?
Every day, Atout France works alongside tourism professionals to promote France’s tourism assets, such as its historical and cultural heritage, its landscapes, its gastronomy and wines, and its diverse leisure and recreation activities. It also takes charge of various systems to optimize passenger satisfaction:
* Classification of tourist accommodation: awarding of stars to tourism professionals (hotels, furnished accommodation, campsites, vacation villages, etc.).
* Registration of travel operators
* The Vignobles & Découverte label : awarded for a 3-year period by Atout France following a recommendation by the Conseil Supérieur de l’Œnotourisme.
The agency sets up promotional campaigns aimed at foreign markets via social networks, online advertising and participation in trade shows.
Keep or get your stars easilywith the StyQR digital welcome booklet
Now we’d like to tell you about the advantages of using a digital welcome booklet in your rental. The criteria earn you between 1 and 5 points. All you have to do is add the following information to your welcome booklet to recover the associated number of points.
Services and products to be indicated
Criteria
Scope of application Atout France
Points
Bond status
156
Number of rooms / services offered / room rates and services
+3
Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
Criterion 156
Scope: Number of rooms / services offered / room rates and services
Number of points: +3
Status: Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
157
Booking engine accessible from the website
+5
Mandatory for 4* and 5* hotels
Criterion 157
Scope: Reservation engine accessible from the website
Number of points: +5
Status: Mandatory for 4* and 5*.
158
Contact form or dedicated email
+3
Mandatory for 1* to 3* and not applicable for 4* and 5*.
Criterion 158
Application fields: Contact form or dedicated email indicated
Number of points: +3
Status: Mandatory for 1* to 3* and not applicable for 4* and 5*.
159
Foreign language 1
+3
Mandatory from 2* to 5*
Criterion 159
Areas of application: Foreign language 1
Number of points: +3
Status: Mandatory from 2* to 5*.
160
Foreign languages 1 + 2
+3
Mandatory for 5*.
Criterion 160
Areas of application: Foreign languages 1 + 2
Number of points: +3
Status: Mandatory for 5*.
161
Foreign languages 1 + 2 + 3
+3
Mandatory for 5*.
Criterion 161
Fields of application: Foreign languages 1 + 2 + 3
Number of points: +3
Status: Not required
162
Site updated
+5
Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
Criterion 162
Scope: Up-to-date site
Number of points: +5
Status: Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
207
Animals, indicate the animal policy on the site
+3
Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
Criterion 207
Scope: Animals, indicate animal policy on site
Number of points: +3
Status: Not required
208
PMR inform about the accessibility of the hotel
+2
Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
Criterion 208
Scope: PMR inform about the hotel's accessibility or not
Number of points: +2
Status: Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
This first category earns you up to 30 points for maintaining or obtaining your stars.
Responding to requestsin terms of food
This category groups together all the mandatory/optional or non-applicable criteria, in terms of food, that must appear in your welcome booklet in order to earn points.
Food & beverages
Criteria
Fields of application
Points
Bond status
23
Vending machine
+3
Criterion 23
Applications: Vending machines
Number of points: +3
Status: Not required
87
Minibar (fully stocked: 3 ranges of drinks + 3 ranges of snacks)
+2
Criterion 87
Applications: Minibar (filled: 3 beverage ranges + 3 snack ranges)
Number of points: +2
Status: Not required
190
PDJ in a dedicated area
+5
Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
Criterion 190
Scope: PDJ in a dedicated area
Number of points: +5
Status: Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
193
PDJ terrace
+2
Criterion 193
Application fields: PDJ terrace
Number of points: +2
Status: Not required
194
PDJ room
+4
Mandatory for 4* and 5* hotels
Criterion 194
Scope: PDJ room
Number of points: +4
Status: Mandatory for 4* and 5*.
195
PDJ takeaway
+2
Criterion 195
Areas of application: PDJ takeaway
Number of points: +2
Status: Not required
196
Restaurant
+3
Criterion 196
Application fields: Restaurant
Number of points: +3
Status: Not required
198
Snacks
+3
Criterion 198
Applications: Snacks
Number of points: +3
Status: Not required
199 + 200
Room service - Show times (19h/24 min)
+0
Mandatory for 5*.
Criterion 199 + 200
Areas of application: Room service
No. of points: +0
Status:Mandatory for 5*.
201
Category 1 beverage service
+2
Criterion 201
Scope: Category 1 beverage service
Number of points: +2
Status: Not required
202
Bar (Licence IV)
+4
Criterion 202
Scope: Bar (Licence IV)
Number of points: +4
Status: Not required
If you include food and beverage criteria, you can earn up to 30 points.
Improving spaceshotel
In this category, you’ll find all the criteria relating to hotel facilities. The more equipment and specialized rooms your hotel has, the more points you’ll earn. Of course, you already have to meet several of these criteria.
Hotel areas
Criteria
Fields of application
Points
Bond status
46
TV room
+3
Criterion 46
Applications: TV room
Number of points: +3
Status: Not required
132
Ironing room / irons and ironing boards
+2
Criterion 132
Applications: Ironing rooms / irons and ironing boards
Number of points: +2
Status: Not required
134
Parking
+5
Criterion 134
Application fields: Parking
Number of points: +5
Status: Not required
135
Bike parking
+2
Criterion 135
Application fields: Bicycle parking
Number of points: +2
Status: Not required
138
Space dedicated to outdoor sports (tennis, etc.)
+5
Criterion 138
Areas of application: Space dedicated to outdoor sports (tennis, etc.)
Number of points: +5
Status: Not required
139
Children's play area (2 types of play equipment minimum)
+4
Criterion 139
Scope: Children's play area (minimum 2 types of play equipment)
Number of points: +4
Status: Not required
140
Games room (dedicated area or lobby, PDJ room, ...) + board games
+5
3 sets for 1* and 2* / 5 sets for 3* and 4* / 8 sets for 5*
Criterion 140
Areas of application: Games room (dedicated area or lobby, PDJ room, etc.) + board games
Number of points: +5
Status: 3 sets for 1* and 2*/ 5 sets for 3* and 4* / 8 sets for 5*.
141
Billiards
+3
Criterion 141
Applications: Billiards
Number of points: +3
Status: Not required
142
Video games room
+3
Criterion 142
Areas of application: Video arcade
Number of points: +3
Status: Not required
143
Private screening room
+3
Criterion 143
Applications: Private screening room
Number of points: +3
Status: Not required
144
Gymnasium
+3
Criterion 144
Applications: Gymnasium
Number of points: +3
Status: Not required
145
Spa
+4
Criterion 145
Application fields: Spa
Number of points: +4
Status: Not required
147
Indoor pool
+4
Criterion 147
Applications: Indoor pools
Number of points: +4
Status: Not required
148
Outdoor swimming pool
+4
Criterion 148
Applications: Outdoor swimming pool
Number of points: +4
Status: Not required
149
Coworking spaces
+4
Criterion 149
Areas of application: Coworking spaces
Number of points: +4
Status: Not required
150
Meeting room (15 people minimum)
+4
Criterion 150
Area of application: Meeting room (minimum 15 people)
Number of points: +4
Status: Not required
You can earn up to 58 additional points by furnishing the different areas of your hotel.
Offering more servicesto its travelers
As you know better than we do, every hotel offers extra services to its guests, but did you know that some of them can earn you points towards your star rating? We’ll let you discover the services and their associated points.
Hotel services
Criteria
Fields of application
Points
Bond status
26 + 27
Wifi in public areas + free of charge; indicate procedure (+ rates if paying)
+5 ; +5
Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
Criterion 26 +27
Scope: Wifi in common areas + free of charge; indicate procedure (+ rates if paying)
No. of points: +5; +5
Status: Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
90 + 91
Wifi in rooms + free of charge; indicate procedure (+ rates if paying)
+5 ; +5
Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
Criterion 90 + 91
Scope: Wifi in rooms + free of charge; indicate procedure (+ rates if paying)
No. of points: +5; +5
Status: Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
94
Alarm clock
+2
Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
Criterion 94
Applications: Alarm clock
Number of points: +2
Status: Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
136
Shuttle
+3
Criterion 136
Application fields: Shuttle
Number of points: +3
Status: Not required
176
Secure luggage storage
+2
Mandatory for 4* and 5* hotels
Criterion 176
Applications: Secure luggage
Number of points: +2
Status: Mandatory for 4* and 5*.
177
Valet parking
+0
Criterion 177
Applications: Valet parking
No. of points: +0
Status: Not required
186
Pressing
+3
Mandatory for 4* and 5* hotels
Criterion 186
Application fields: Dry cleaning
Number of points: +3
Status: Mandatory for 4* and 5*.
189
Shoe care service
+4
Criterion 189
Scope: Shoe care service
Number of points: +4
Status: Not required
203
Hairdresser
+3
Mandatory for 5*.
Criterion 203
Fields of application : Hairdresser
Number of points: +3
Status: Not required
204
Sports coach
+3
Criterion 204
Fields of application: Sports coach
Number of points: +3
Status: Not required
205
Massage
+3
Criterion 205
Areas of application : Massage
Number of points: +3
Status: Not required
206
Childcare (with dedicated area)
+5
Criterion 206
Applications: Daycare center (with dedicated space)
Number of points: +5
Status: Not required
Additional services offered to your customers can earn you up to 48 points.
Careful receptionand equipment on offer
Do you offer additional facilities at your hotel reception? Then you certainly need to meet some of the following criteria. See the list of mandatory and optional equipment below.
Available at reception/lobby
Criteria
Fields of application
Points
Bond status
18
Safe deposit box at reception
+2
Not applicable to 4* and 5* hotels
Criterion 18
Application fields: Reception safe
Number of points: +2
Status: Not applicable for 4* and 5*.
19
Luggage carts
+2
Mandatory for 5*.
Criterion 19
Applications: Luggage carts
Number of points: +2
Status: Mandatory for 5*.
53
Cots
+3
Mandatory from 2* to 5*.
Criterion 53
Applications: Cribs
Number of points: +3
Status: Mandatory from 2* to 5*.
55
Pillows of various types (feather, memory foam, anti-allergy, etc.)
+3
Criterion 55
Applications: Pillows of various types (feather, memory foam, anti-allergy, etc.)
Number of points: +3
Status: Not required
63
Additional toilet line
+2
Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
Criterion 63
Applications: Additional toilet line
Number of points: +2
Status: Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
89
In-room telephone
+2
Mandatory from 3* to 5*.
Criterion 89
Application fields: In-room telephone
Number of points: +2
Status: Mandatory from 3* to 5*.
109
Shoe kit
+1
Mandatory for 5*.
Criterion 109
Applications: Shoe kit
Number of points: +1
Status: Mandatory for 5*.
110
Sewing kit
+2
Mandatory from 4* to 5*
Criterion 110
Applications: Sewing kit
Number of points: +2
Status: Mandatory from 4* to 5*.
125
Hygiene kit
+1
Mandatory for 5*.
Criterion 125
Applications: Hygiene kit
Number of points: +1
Status: Mandatory for 5*.
131
Baby equipment (at least high chair, food warming equipment, changing mat)
+3
Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
Criterion 131
Scope: baby equipment (at least high chair, food warming equipment, changing mat)
Number of points: +3
Status: Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
133
Shoe shine machine
+2
Criterion 133
Applications: Shoe shine machine
Number of points: +2
Status: Not required
137
Newspapers (3 4* titles, 4 5* titles including 1 in English)
+2
Mandatory for 4* and 5* hotels
Criterion 137
Scope: Newspapers (3 titles in 4*, 4 titles in 5* including 1 in English)
Number of points: +2
Status: Mandatory for 4* and 5*.
172
Tourist information (brochures, maps, etc.)
+2
Mandatory from 2* to 5*.
Criterion 172
Areas of application: Tourist information (brochures, maps, etc.)
Number of points: +2
Status: Mandatory from 2* to 5*.
173
First aid kit
+4
Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
Criterion 173
Applications: First aid kit
Number of points: +4
Status: Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
179
Electrical adapters (1 per 15 rooms)
+3
Mandatory from 3* to 5*.
Criterion 179
Application: Electrical adapters (1 per 15 rooms)
Number of points: +3
Status: Mandatory from 3* to 5*.
Together, these criteria will earn you 34 extra points .
Clarify or developa CSR approach
This category is a little more fussy and precise in terms of criteria. Here you’ll find all the criteria for CSR initiatives that your company should implement to earn extra points.
CSR approach
Criteria
Fields of application
Points
Bond status
209
Raising staff awareness of how to welcome disabled customers
+3
Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
Criterion 209
Scope: Raising staff awareness of how to welcome disabled customers
Number of points: +3
Status: Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
210
Staff training for disabled visitors
+5
Criterion 210
Scope: Training staff to deal with disabled people
Number of points: +5
Status: Not required
217 + 218
Energy-saving measures
+2 , +1
Mandatory from 2* to 5*.
Criterion 217 +218
Scope: Energy-saving measures
Number of points: +2; +1
Status: 217 mandatory from 1* to 5*.
223 + 224
Water-saving measures
+2 , +1
Criteria 223 + 224
Scope: Water-saving measures
Number of points: +2; +1
Status: 223 mandatory from 1* to 5*.
229 + 230
Waste reduction measures
+2 , +1
Criterion 229 + 230
Scope: Waste reduction measures
Number of points: +2; +1
Status: Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
232
Customer selective sorting in common areas
+2
Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
Criterion 232
Scope: Customer selective sorting in common areas
Number of points: +2
Status: Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
233
Hotel selective sorting (if available in the commune)
+2
Mandatory for 5*.
Criterion 233
Scope: Hotel selective sorting (if available in the commune)
Number of points: +2
Status: Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
234
Ecological hospitality products - Minimum 2
+3
Criterion 234
Scope: Ecological home products - Minimum 2
Number of points: +3
Status: Not required
236
Environmentally-friendly cleaning products
+1
Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
Criterion 236
Applications: Environmentally-friendly cleaning products
Number of points: +1
Status: Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
237
Staff training in water and energy saving and waste reduction
+3
Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
Criterion 237
Scope: Staff training in water and energy saving and waste reduction
Number of points: +5
Status: Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
238
Raising staff awareness of the need to save water and energy and reduce waste
+2
Criterion 238
Fields of application: Raising staff awareness of water and energy saving and waste reduction.
Number of points: +2
Status: Not required
239
Low environmental impact transport
+1
Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
Criterion 239
Applications: Low environmental impact transport
Number of points: +1
Status: Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
240
Products from French or regional production or agriculture, or short distribution channels (food/drinks) - Minimum 3
+5
Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
Criterion 240
Scope: Products from French, regional or short-distance production or agriculture (food/drinks).
Number of points: +5
Status: Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
241
Fair trade or organic products (food/drinks) - Minimum 3
+5
Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
Criterion 241
Scope: Fair trade or organic products (food/drinks) - Minimum 3
Number of points: +5
Status: Mandatory from 1* to 5*.
243
Environmental label
+5
Criterion 243
Scope: Environmental label
Number of points: +5
Status: Not required
You can therefore recover up to 46 points by integrating CSR criteria into your hotel.
We hope this article has given you a clearer understanding of Atout France’s expectations when it comes to awarding your stars .