Displaying Prices in Hotels and Guesthouses

If you offer accommodation as part of a business you must meet the following legal requirements:

Displaying a Price List

You must display a price list in the reception are or at the entrance to your accommodation, unless:

• you have less than four bedrooms and you have less than eight beds
• accommodation is provided 'ancillary to business' such as in nursing homes or university halls of residence
• you normally let rooms to the same person for 21 nights or more such as in old people's homes or long-term guest houses, or
• all your customers book in advance.

The price list should include

• the price of a bedroom for one person eg £25 per night, ir all the rooms s are the same price, or £20-£30 per night if there is a range of prices
• the price of a bedroom for two people
• the price of a bed in any other type of room

All prices should include VAT and any compulsory service charge.

You must make it clear if meals are included in the price eg single bedroom £30 per night including breakfast.

The price list must be in a prominent position and be easy to read.

Credit Card Surcharges

It is legal to charge customers a surcharge for using a credit card to settle their bill. If you do this you must make the fact clearly known by:

• displaying a notice near each public door and at your reception area
• telling customers on the phone before they commit themselves and book
• including the information in your advertisements

If your normal prices are in cash, the information will be, for example: Credit Cards: surcharge 2%, or Credit Cards: £1 surcharge.

If your prices are normally shown as credit card prices, this information should be clear. You would then probably show a discount for cash, eg: Double Room £44.50 per night (credit cards), 4% discount for cash.

Please Note

This leaflet is not an authoritative interpretation of the law and is intended only for guidance. For further information please contact your local Consumer Protection or Trading Standards office.

Trading Standards Division, 3rd Floor, Wallasey Town Hall, Brighton Street, Wallasey, Wirral CH44 8ED
Telephone: (0151) 691 8020    Fax: (0151) 691 8098
Internet World Wide Web http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/wirral/
Electronic Mail: tradingstandards@wirral.gov.uk