Four of Dublin’s top hotels are poised to be stripped of their five-star status in a shock decision by Ireland's grading body.
The Shelbourne, Conrad, Radisson SAS and Jurys Doyle Hotel in Ballsbridge have 30 days to appeal against the decision to reduce them to four-star status by Excellence in Tourism.
During that time they can continue to trade as five-star hotels.
As yet, 10 days after the decision was made, no appeal had been brought by any of the hotels, said a spokesman for Irish tourist board Failte Ireland, which part-owns Excellence in Tourism.
Any appeal would be referred to an independent adjudication board, which would include the Irish Hotels Federation among its members, he added.
The hotels have three options, to appeal, not to appeal or leave the grading system altogether.
The grading system looks at the hotels’ physical appearance and structural soundness, including the size of their bedroom, furnishings, restaurants, bars and reception areas.
Other areas that come under the spotlight include service, food preparation and presentation and cleanliness.
by Nic Paton
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