Star and diamond accommodation ratings

In response to consumer demand, all the accommodation featured on this website has been quality assessed by either VisitBritain or the AA or is awaiting assessment. Please be aware that ratings may change throughout the year. VisitBritain and the AA now assess hotels and guest accommodation, including bed and breakfast (B&B) by the same criteria and award a star rating between one and five. The star rating reflects the overall quality of the experience.

For serviced accommodation there are two separate schemes - one for hotels and one for guest accommodation which includes B&Bs, farmhouses, inns, guest houses and restaurants with rooms.

There are also gold and silver awards for hotels and guest accommodation. Silver awards recognise exceptional quality at all levels and gold awards are given to the very best of the best.

The diamond ratings that were previously awarded to guest accommodation are gradually being replaced by stars. You will find some entries on this website with diamond ratings and some with star ratings.

The new star ratings are designed to meet the greater expectations that people now have of the quality and facilities in guest accommodation. Higher ratings are therefore more difficult to achieve than under the diamond scheme. On this website you may find, for example, guest accommodation that previously held a four diamond rating that has been re-assessed under the new standard as three star. It does not necessarily mean that the quality of the accommodation has dropped.

Self catering accommodation, hostels and holiday, touring and camping parks, as well as holiday villages, are all quality assessed as well and star rated from one to five.