The Wales In Style Selection Process
Wales In Style is not a grading scheme nor is it based on a grading scheme operated by any other party, although these may be taken into account as one of many factors and we will refer to the major independent UK guides such as those published by Which?, Michelin and Alistair Sawday. As such it is not possible to operate a set of strict criteria for each sector featured in Wales In Style and it is acknowledged that there is a large and intangible element of 'we know it when we see it' in the selection process. The Wales In Style portfolio will also reflect our ongoing research into the needs of this area of the market together with feedback from users of the website. Nevertheless, there are some set procedures by which potential Wales In Style partners are selected, involving different considerations and processes depending on the sector.
Hotels, B&Bs & Self Catering Accommodation
Key hotels and B&B’s are selected by the Wales In Style panel on basis of personal experience and with reference to the major independent UK guides to accommodation and eating out. The panel is headed by Simon Wright who is a restaurateur, food writer and restaurant consultant who currently works as the Restaurant Consultant on Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares. Previously he was Senior AA Hotel and Restaurant Inspector for Wales, Editor AA Restaurant Guide, Editor Dining Out In Wales 2005. Other panel members currently include food and travel writer David Hancock (who has edited guides for Les Routiers, the AA and Alistair Sawday) and Wales In Style Partnership Manager Andrew Lloyd Hughes.
Once key establishments are recruited then they are offered the opportunity to comment on potential new inclusions and their comments will be taken into account by Wales In Style when considering offering an invitation to join.
Requests and recommendations for new hotels and B&B’s to join are first subject to the above and then may at some future point be subjected to a random anonymous inspection by an experienced freelance inspector appointed by Wales In Style. A report is made to Wales In Style with a recommendation and comments fed back.
Restaurants
Stand-alone restaurants will initially be selected on the basis of ratings in Dining Out In Wales 2005. Dining Out In Wales is an independent, anonymously inspected guide published by the WDA – no payment is taken for entry in the guide. Gold and Gold Star entries from Dining Out In Wales 2005 are invited to be included (unless there has been a material change of ownership or chef) Restaurants outside of this band or new restaurants that post-date Dining Out In Wales 2005 are considered on their merits with particular regard for ratings in the Good Food Guide, Egon Ronay’s Guide to Restaurants and Gastropubs, Michelin and the AA. If considered for entry a restaurant may receive an anonymous independent inspection before inclusion.
Pubs
Initially selected on the basis of personal experience and inspection by Wales in Style Panel member David Hancock, thereafter with reference to the major guides, panel opinion and reference to key hospitality and accommodation partners of Wales In Style.
Bars and Cafés
Selected with reference to the major guides, panel opinion and reference to key hospitality and accommodation partners of Wales In Style.
Shops
These are largely selected by recommendation from the owners/management of our accommodation and hospitality providers, on the basis that their customers and patrons are already shopping at these establishments.
Activities
These are initially selected by recommendation from the owners/management of our accommodation and hospitality providers and key partners such as Visit Wales. In addition, a set of quality criteria and safety standards for the Activities sector are being developed specifically for Wales In Style, and will be published on this website in due course, or available by emailing [email protected].
Attractions
These are selected by recommendation from the owners/management of our accommodation and hospitality providers and key partners such as Visit Wales.
Wales In Style is dependent for its success on its relevance and usefulness to its target market amongst potential visitors to Wales. When issuing invitations to partners in all sectors there will therefore be some consideration of the balance of products across the various sectors and also some regard for geographical distribution of products. We will also take careful consideration of customer feedback on all our products and partners that we receive via www.walesinstyle.com/feedback, and will regularly review our membership.