The last R&C property I stayed at was Gravetye Manor in the UK. As a 5C member, I paid for the basic room B&B and got upgraded to a premium corner room and had a champagne tea for free. Plus a little goodie bag on departure. I had the same treatment at Whatley Manor the previous year.

It's a pity R&C no longer publish their annual guide and I think the website is terrible. And f course, not all R&C hotels are as good as they seem but I've had some good recent experiences. Does anyone here know how much money a hotel pays R&C for entry into the consortium?

As per be human above, I never, ever, use a travel agent.