Classification Schemes
When you're looking for a place to stay, you need a rating system you can trust.
The ETC (English Tourism Council), AA and RAC have joined
forces to create one overall rating scheme for serviced accommodation - a clear
guide of what to expect, in an easy-to-understand form. Properties are visited
annually by trained, impartial assessors, so you can have confidence that your
accommodation has been thoroughly checked and rated for quality
before you make a booking.
Using a simple one to five rating, the system puts greater emphasis on
quality and is based on research which showed exactly what consumers are
looking for when choosing accommodation.
Ratings Hotels = 
Are given a rating of from one to five Stars - the more
stars, the higher the quality and the greater the range of facilities and
level of services provided.
Red starred hotels (AA ratings only) are in the top 200 (of their rating)
across the country.
Guest Accommodation = 
Covers a wide variety of serviced accommodation for which England is renowned, including guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, inns and farmhouses. Establishments are rated from one
to five Diamonds. The same minimum requirement for facilities and services applies to all Guest Accommodation from one to five Diamonds. Progressively higher levels of
quality and customer care must be provided for each of the one to five Diamond ratings. The more Diamonds, the higher the overall quality in areas such as cleanliness, service & hospitality,
bedrooms, bathrooms and food quality.
Guest accommodation with red diamonds are amongst the very best
within their rating band.
Self-catering =
Are given a rating of from one to five Stars - the more
Stars, the higher the quality and the greater the range of facilities
and level of services provided.
Camping & Caravanning =
Are given a rating of from one to five Stars - the more Stars, the higher the quality and the greater the range of facilities and level of services provided.
What to expect at each rating level
Stars (Hotels)
In a One Star hotel you will find an acceptable level of quality, services and range of facilities. Moving up the One to Five Star rating scale, you will fund progressively higher quality
standards providing ever better guest care as well as a wider range of facilities and a higher level of services.
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At a ONE STAR hotel you will find: Practical accommodation with a limited range of facilities and services, but a high standard of cleanliness throughout. Friendly and
courteous staff to give you the help and information you need to enjoy your stay. Restaurant! eating area open to you and your guests for breakfast and dinner. Alcoholic drinks will be
served in a bar or lounge. 75% of bedrooms will have en-suite or private facilities.
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At a TWO STAR hotel you will find: (in addition to what is provided at ONE STAR) Good overnight accommodation with more comfortable bedrooms, better equipped - all with
en-suite or private facilities and colour TV. A relatively straightforward range of services, including food and drink and a personal style of service. A restaurant/dining room for
breakfast and dinner. A lift normally available.
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At a THREE STAR hotel you will find: (in addition to what is provided at ONE and TWO STAR) Possibly larger establishments, but all offering significantly greater quality
and range of facilities and services, and usually more spacious public areas and bedrooms. A more formal style of service with a receptionist on duty and staff responding well to your needs
and requests. Room service of continental breakfast. Laundry service available. A wide selection of drinks, light lunch and snacks served in a bar or lounge.
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At a FOUR STAR hotel you will find: (in addition to what is provided at ONE, TWO and THREE STAR) Accommodation offering superior comfort and quality; all bedrooms with
en-suite bath, fitted overhead shower and WC. The hotel will have spacious and very well appointed public areas and will put a strong emphasis on food and drink. Staff will have very good
technical and social skills, anticipating and responding to your needs and requests. Room service of all meals and 24 hour drinks, refreshments and snacks. Dry cleaning service
available.
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At a FIVE STAR hotel you will find: (in addition to what is provided at ONE, TWO, THREE and FOUR STAR) A spacious, luxurious establishment offering you the highest
international quality of accommodation, facilities, services and cuisine. It will have striking accommodation throughout, with a range of extra facilities. You will feel very well cared for
by professional, attentive staff providing flawless guest services. An hotel setting the highest international standards for the industry, with an air of luxury, exceptional comfort and a
sophisticated ambience.
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RED STAR hotels (AA ratings only) are amongst
the top 200 Hotels in Great Britain and Ireland. |
Diamonds (Guest Accommodation)
The Diamond ratings for Guest Accommodation reflect visitor expectations of this sector. The quality of what is provided is more important to visitors than a
wide range of facilities and services. Therefore, the same minimum requirement for facilities and services applies to all Guest Accommodation from One to Five Diamonds, while progressively higher
level of quality and customer care must be provided for each of the One to Five Diamond ratings.
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At One Diamond Guest Accommodation you will find: Clean accommodation, providing acceptable comfort with functional decor and offering, as a minimum, a full cooked or
continental breakfast. Other meals, where provided, will be freshly cooked. You will have a comfortable bed, with clean bed linen and towels and fresh soap. Adequate heating and hot water
available at reasonable times for baths or showers at no extra charge. An acceptable overall level of quality and helpful service.
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At Two Diamond Guest Accommodation, you will find: (in addition to what is provided at One Diamond) A sound overall level of quality and customer care in all areas.
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At Three Diamond Guest Accommodation, you will find: (in addition to what is provided at Two Diamond) A good overall level of quality. For example, good quality,
comfortable bedrooms; well maintained, practical decor; a good choice of quality items available for breakfast; other meals, where provided, will be freshly cooked from good quality
ingredients. A good degree of comfort provided for you, with good levels of customer care.
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At Four Diamond Guest Accommodation, you will find: (in addition to what is provided at Three Diamond) A very good overall level of quality in all areas and customer
care showing very good levels of attention to your needs.
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At Five Diamond Guest Accommodation, you will find: (in addition to what is provided at Four Diamond) An excellent overall level of quality. For example, ample space
with a degree of luxury, an excellent quality bed, high quality furniture, excellent Interior design. Breakfast offering a wide choice of high quality fresh ingredients; other meals, where
provided, featuring fresh, seasonal local ingredients. Excellent levels of customer care, anticipating your needs.
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Accomodation with a RED DIAMOND (AA) rating are
amongst the top 10% of establishments in the country. |
Stars (Self-catering Accommodation)
All properties have to meet an extensive list of minimum requirements before they can be considered for a Star rating. From there, increased levels of quality apply. For
example, you will find acceptable quality at One Star, good to very good quality at Three Star and exceptional quality at Five Star.
Awards
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