Atout France compliance: what has really changed since the 2022 reform

A hotelier is preparing for a classification inspection. They review the criteria grid, just as they always have. But the grid has changed. Some equipment that once seemed essential can now be replaced by digital alternatives. And since January 2026, the rules for renewing classifications have become stricter.

The result: some establishments continue to maintain equipment that is now optional, while others miss out on new requirements. Taking the time to conduct a thorough review helps avoid both mistakes.

A summary of the changes from the 2022 reform

Hotel classification in France is based on a grid of over 240 criteria, defined by ministerial decree and managed by Atout France. The reform that came into effect in 2022 modernized this grid based on a new principle: it is no longer the equipment itself that is evaluated, but the service provided to the guest.

In practical terms, compliance can now be achieved through various means, provided the expected outcome is equivalent. This principle opens the door to digital substitutions for several criteria without the establishment losing classification points.

The grid distinguishes between two types of criteria. There are ten mandatory, non-compensable criteria (criteria 8, 11, 28, 57, 58, 65, 75, 116, 117, and 121) that must be met without exception, regardless of the target category. The much more numerous point-based criteria allow establishments to reach a threshold that increases with the star rating: 5% of the points are required for 1-star, compared to 40% for 5-star. Telephony and guest directories are among these point-based criteria, not the ten mandatory ones.

What changed in 2026

In addition to the criteria grid, Decree No. 2026-14 of January 14, 2026 (Official Journal of January 15, 2026) modified the classification procedure rules on two specific points.

First, the grace period for renewals has been tightened. Since September 1, 2026, an expired classification is only extended for a maximum of six months after the fifth anniversary date. For hotels that used to let their renewals slide by a year or two, this change means they need to act sooner.

Second, Atout France can now refuse a classification even when the inspection body has issued a favorable opinion. Before this decree, a favorable opinion was almost automatically sufficient. Now, Atout France can issue a reasoned decision if certain elements of the file do not meet regulatory requirements.

The criteria grid itself (telephony, guest directory, etc.) remains the same as the 2022 version.

The case of the in-room phone (criterion 89): mandatory or not?

This is the most frequently asked question, and the answer is not what many hoteliers expect.

Criterion 89 of the Atout France grid is titled "In-room telephone dedicated to accessing hotel services." The official Atout France inspection guide specifies its evaluation methodology as follows: "Equipment with similar usage (connected tablet, mobile app, etc.) that allows direct contact with hotel staff validates the criterion."

There are two important points to remember from this wording. First, it is not the device that matters, but the guest's ability to reach the front desk. A button in a hotel app or an in-room connected tablet validates the criterion just as effectively as a landline phone. Second, criterion 89 is not one of the ten mandatory, non-compensable criteria in the grid. It is a point-based criterion, the weight of which varies depending on the target category.

In practical terms, this means that a hotel that removes its landline handsets without replacing them with a compliant solution may lose points, but the loss is not necessarily disqualifying, depending on the rest of its score. Conversely, a hotel that replaces its phones with a digital interface allowing for direct, real-time contact with the front desk, without complicated procedures for the guest, fully validates criterion 89.

What the inspector checks on-site: that the guest can reach reception from their room without needing to know a number, without leaving the room, and that a prompt response is expected within a reasonable timeframe.

The full article on hotel room telephones details compliant configurations and the conditions required for a digital solution to satisfy the criteria during an inspection.

The guest directory (criteria 103-104): paper or digital format?

In the official grid, the guest directory corresponds to criteria 103 and 104. Criterion 103 covers the presence of a "service guide presenting all hotel services and rates (room directory)." Criterion 104 concerns the foreign language version, which has its own points; it is often overlooked because it looks like a duplicate, even though it is distinct.

The Atout France inspection guide explicitly accepts digital formats: "The medium can be paper (laminated display, paper guide, etc.) or digital (QR code, email, downloadable app, in-room tablet, television, etc.)."

One point not to confuse: criteria 103-104 and criterion 89 are two separate requirements. A guest directory accessible via QR code, even if very comprehensive, does not satisfy the reception reachability criterion. These are two distinct obligations, each with its own validation method. Confusing the two is the most common mistake made when preparing for an inspection.

What the directory content must cover: dining hours and procedures, safety instructions, additional services and their rates, useful access codes, and practical information about the establishment. Certain information (notably safety instructions) must also be physically displayed in the establishment, regardless of what is included in the service guide.

A digital directory can be updated in a few clicks, with no printing costs, and avoids the classic problem of a paper directory that has been outdated for six months when the inspector arrives on the big day.

Other criteria not to be overlooked

The reform is not limited to the two previous topics. A few criteria deserve a quick check before any inspection.

Wi-Fi connectivity is mandatory from 2 stars up, with stricter bandwidth requirements for 5 stars. A network limited to the reception area or insufficient on the floors can lead to non-compliance on a core criterion.

Accessibility is recommended for 1-star hotels and mandatory from 2 stars up, requiring adapted rooms, signage, and dedicated equipment. Establishments that have not conducted a recent audit often have gaps in this area without realizing it.

Environmental criteria (waste management, water and energy savings, plastic reduction) are recommended for 1 and 2 stars and mandatory from 3 stars up. They contribute to the points threshold required to achieve higher categories.

Reception operating hours also vary by category: extended hours are required from 2 stars, and 24/7 reception is expected from 4 stars.

How to update without changing everything

The reform does not require a complete overhaul. For the majority of already-classified hotels, the update involves two or three specific points, which can be identified during a half-day internal audit.

The first step is to download the updated grid from the classement.atout-france.fr platform and compare it point-by-point with the establishment's actual situation. The self-assessment tool offered by Atout France (€50 incl. tax, up to 10 attempts) uses the exact same framework as the inspection bodies and allows you to simulate the result of a visit before it takes place.

The second step is to distinguish between the ten mandatory non-compensable criteria and the points-based criteria. Non-compliance with a points-based criterion does not prevent classification if the overall threshold is met elsewhere. Non-compliance with one of the ten mandatory criteria is disqualifying.

The third step is to prioritize based on impact and cost. Replacing the in-room telephone with a digital solution, for example, reduces maintenance costs while satisfying criterion 89. It is a compliant and economically favorable update, unlike other adjustments that represent an investment with no direct return.

For hoteliers looking to take digital telephony substitution further, compliant VoIP and digital alternatives outline the valid configurations for an Atout France inspection.

Sources: Decree No. 2026-14 of January 14, 2026, regarding the classification procedure for tourist hotels (JORF of January 15, 2026); Tourist Hotel Inspection Guide, Atout France (criteria 89, 103, 104, and point calculation methods); Atout France classification platform, classement.atout-france.fr.

GetWelcom offers a digital guest directory and a digital telephony solution that meet Atout France criteria, with compliance documentation available for inspections. Request a demo at getwelcom.com.

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