AA rising stars feel ‘ripped off'

The AA's fees for hotel inspections are too high and rising too quickly, according to some small hoteliers.

Fritz Maas, owner of the 13-bedroom Croft hotel in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, said his fee of £307.85 was an increase of 18% on last year's £260.85, and 79.5% more than his 1997 fee of £171.55.

He said: "We talk about being ripped off, but with inflation at 1.4% I think we have been."

But the AA said that the reason Maas's charge went up so much was that last year the hotel had a one-star rating but this year it had two stars.

The association added that the increase for two-star hotels was just 1.5% on last year's fee.

Albert Hampson, business manager of hotel services at the AA, said: "In general, our fees have increased by 2%. They go up as you move up the scale, but that has always been the case.

"We always get people who say we do not give value for money, but the vast majority are happy with the service they get and our membership is growing each year."

Other small hoteliers unhappy with the fees include Paul McDougall, owner of the 10-bedroom Elder Grove in Ambleside, Cumbria.

He said: "We are in the guide this year, but it was getting too expensive so we have decided to give it the boot; we will not be in it next year."

Isobel Smellie, owner of the eight-bedroom Carrick Lodge in Ayr, south Ayrshire, added: "It is very expensive. It is far too much for an eight-bedroom hotel and I am not sure it is worthwhile. I will have to give it serious consideration next year."

by Louise Bozec

• No harmony between the AA and Mr Ronay, see Albert Hampson's Viewpoint on page 18