Hotel Ratings
- The AA inspects and assesses hotels for quality. As a result of this assessment hotels are given a star rating from 1 to 5 stars.
- What this star rating indicates is described in detail on the AA's web page http://www.theaa.co.uk/AAGuide/ratings.html
English Tourist Council ratings
- The
English Tourist Council inspects
hotels and gives them a rating according to the UK's national rating scheme.
There are two parts to the ratings.
Serviced Accommodation: Stars -Star ratings symbolise the level of service, range of facilities and quality of guest care that you can expect. Hotels are required to meet progressively higher standards as they move up the scale from one to five Stars.
The gradings are: One star: Practical accommodation with a limited range of facilities and services, but a high standard of cleanliness throughout. Restaurant/eating area. 75% of bedrooms will have en-suite or private facilities.
Two stars: Better equipped bedrooms, all with ensuite/private bathroom and a colour TV. A lift is normally available.
Three stars: Higher standard of services and facilities including larger public areas and bedrooms, a receptionist, room service, laundry.
Four stars: Accommodation offering superior comfort and quality; all bedrooms with en-suite bath, fitted overhead shower and WC. Spacious and well appointed public areas. More emphasis on food and drink. Room service of all meals and 24 hour drinks, refreshments and snacks. Dry cleaning service available. Excellent customer service.
Five stars: A spacious, luxurious establishment offering you the highest international quality of accommodation, facilities, services and cuisine. There will be a range of extra facilities. You will feel very well cared for by professional, attentive staff providing flawless guest services. Serviced
Accommodation: Diamonds -
Diamond ratings for Guest Accommodation reflect visitor expectations of this sector, where quality is seen as more important than facilities and services. As a result Guest Accommodation is required to meet progressively higher standards of quality and guest care as they move up the scale from one to five Diamonds.
One diamond Diamond Guest Accommodation: clean and comfortable accommodation, providing breakfast and helpful service.
Two Diamond Guest Accommodation: An increased level of quality and comfort, with greater emphasis on guest care.
Three Diamond Guest Accommodation: Well maintained, practical decor, a good choice of breakfast dishes, a higher degree of customer care and at least 40% of the bedrooms will have private or ensuite bathrooms.
Four Diamond Guest Accommodation: An even higher level of quality and comfort. Good level of customer care.
Five Diamond Guest Accommodation: Excellent quality in furnishing and rooms. At least 80% of bedrooms will have ensuite/private bathrooms. Excellent levels of customer care..
- The RAC inspects and assess hotels for quality. As a result of this assessment the hotels are awarded stars which reflect the range of facilities and the level of service provided. The star classifications are as follows:-
Rating Description 
Generally small hotels, simply but nicely furnished, offering limited but good menus and a small range of services. Likely to have an informal atmosphere. At least 25% of the bedrooms should have en-suite facilities. Usually larger hotels with more formal reception arrangements and more employed staff. Must offer lounge service to the guests and be open to non-residents for meals. Accommodation is usually of a higher standard with 50% en-suite facilities. Small luxury hotels or larger well appointed hotels offering a high degree of comfort. Some room service and a high level of professional staff. All rooms en-suite, most with a bath. Generally larger hotels offering the full range of hotel services - reception, porters and room service available at all hours. Professionally-trained staff. En-suite facilities to contain bath, shower and WC. Suites are required and conference, banqueting, recreational facilities are expected.
Large luxury hotels offering the highest international standards of accommodation, facilities, services and cuisine.
In addition to the star rating the RAC provides merit awards to establishments:
Hospitality - awarded for outstanding 'hospitality' and service.Comfort - indicates a high standard of 'comfort' throughout the hotel.
Restaurant - hotels with high quality 'restaurants' serving excellent meals.
A Blue Ribbon Award is the ultimate distinction which the RAC can bestow upon a hotel. Only those who have achieved all three merit awards are considered.
For more detailed explanation of the ratings contact:-
RAC Hotel Services
PO Box 700
Bristol
BS99 1RB
Tel: 01454 208844
Internet Address:http://www.rac.co.uk
Similar information for hotels elsewhere in the country is available at Smooth Hound's Hotel and Guest House Directory