This guide is designed to help you select accommodation in the right place, at the right price, with the right services and facilities for your requirements, whatever your reason for travel - business, holiday, or perhaps visiting family or friends.

When booking accommodation at an hotel, it is helpful to make reservations well before your arrival date. This is particularly important if you require accommodation during a busy holiday period.

All entries in this Guide include symbols to denote the facilities and amenities offered - the key to these can be seen by holding the mouse pointer over the symbol, or by going to Key to Symbols. Should any of these facilities be of special interest to you, we suggest that you ask for more information at the time of booking. When making a booking or an enquiry try to ensure that the following points are clearly understood to avoid embarrassing misunderstandings later: (please mention this guide when making enquiries)

1. Your proposed arrival and departure dates.
2. The type of room you require - single, double, twin, with or without bathroom.
3. The type of accommodation you require - bed and breakfast, half or full board.
4. Any particular requirements - child's cot, sea view etc.
5. The price - the tariffs shown were correct at the time of going to press but there could be changes during the time of the currency of this Guide.
6. How you wish to pay - cash, cheque with cheque card, credit card, etc. - and if a deposit is required.
7. Your anticipated time of arrival, particularly if you expect to arrive late.

It is advisable to confirm your booking in writing and to let your hotel know of any unexpected delay or change of plans.

We also recommend that you consider taking out insurance cover, which costs very little, against the likelihood of a cancellation - a quotation for this can usually be obtained from the hotel. Remember that, whether in writing or not, your booking amounts to a contract so you may be asked to pay all or part of the cost in the event of a cancellation.

Guests with disabilities

People with disabilities who require special facilities should mention this when booking so they can be advised whether suitable accommodation can be provided.
A number of hotel entries within this Guide include the symbol which indicates that some special facilities are available. You are advised to enquire about what facilities are available when booking.

The Holiday Care Service provides general information for disabled guests, and answers questions concerning ‘Tourism for All’. They operate a reservation service and even offer reduced rates at certain hotel groups.

For information contact The Holiday Care Service - 2nd Floor Imperial Buildings, Victoria Road, Horley, Surrey RH6 7PZ. Telephone (01293) 774535, Minicom (01293) 776943, Fax (01293) 784647, E-mail: holiday.care@virgin.net.

There are also several publications available for disabled people. Among them are ‘Accessible Holidays in the British Isles’, obtainable from RADAR (the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation), telephone (020) 7250 3222, Minicom (020) 7250 4119, Fax (020) 7250 0212, E-mail: radar@radar.org.uk, Website: www.radar.org.uk and the ‘Guide for the Disabled’ published free for disabled members of the AA.

Gratuities

There is no general practice relating to tipping or the addition of service charges to bills. You may, therefore, wish to enquire about the practice adopted in the particular establishment in which you are staying.