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Quality Assurance Guest Accommodation

Category: Guest Accommodation

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When you are looking for a place to stay you need a rating system you can trust. VisitBritain and AA ratings are your clear guide to 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.

The diamond ratings that were previously awarded to guest accommodation (B&Bs, Guest Houses etc) 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 of consumers with regards to quality and facilities. 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 4 diamond rating and has been reassessed under the new standards as 3 stars. It does not necessarily mean that their quality standards have dropped.

Using a simple one to five rating, it puts great emphasis on quality and is based on research which showed exactly what consumers are looking for when choosing accommodation.

Within the Guest Accommodation category are designators that will give customers a further indication of the style that can be expected. These include:

Guest Accommodation - is the category which encompasses anything from one-room bed and breakfasts to the larger places found in our coastal resorts, which may offer dinner and may be licensed.
Bed and Breakfasts - accommodate no more than six people. It's like staying as a special guest in someone's home.
Farmhouses - offer bed and breakfast and sometimes dinner, always on a farm.
Guest Houses - tend to have more than three rooms and may offer dinner to their guests. Some may be licensed.
Restaurants with Rooms - are just that. The restaurant is the main business and they will be licensed. They generally offer a small number of bedrooms with all the facilities you would expect and breakfast.
Inns - are pubs with rooms, which serve food in the evenings, as well as breakfast.

Sometimes access to guest accommodation may be restricted during the day, but you will be advised on booking. Guest accommodation tends to be personally run by the owners.

Star Ratings

ONE Star:

Simple, no-frills accommodation suitable for those on a tighter budget. Décor will be clean and furnishings fit for purpose. Beds will be made up with clean linen and bedding, towels and fresh soap provided. Bedrooms will have a form of heating, acceptable lighting levels and privacy. Bathroom facilities may be shared and hot water will be available at reasonable times.

As a minimum, breakfast will be provided - either a full cooked meal or, if advertised in advance, a substantial continental breakfast. Service levels may be limited.

TWO Stars:

Accommodation offering a good overall level of quality together with some facility and service enhancements, e.g. in-room televisions, fitted heating. Décor will be in good condition, furniture sound and lighting well positioned. Flooring will provide adequate comfort underfoot. Bath or shower rooms may be en-suite or shared with other guests and/or proprietor, facilities being maintained in a clean and serviceable condition.

Additional services may be provided, e.g. dinner. Meals may be simple with limited choice but will be freshly prepared.

THREE Stars:

A good level of quality in all areas. Bedrooms will offer a reasonable amount of space and comfort, e.g. access to both sides of double beds. Décor will show elements of coordination with the soft furnishings. Furniture will be more substantial and may provide additional facilities, e.g. writing desk. Conveniently positioned lighting and controllable heating. En-suite facilities, where provided, may be compact but will be clean and well maintained. Toiletries (e.g. shampoo, shower gel) are likely to be provided. All rooms will have a washbasin facility.

A greater selection of items may be offered at breakfast, including choice of eggs cooked to order. Service throughout will be efficient and hospitable.

FOUR Stars:

Very good quality in all areas. Bedrooms will be more spacious with greater emphasis on quality of décor, furnishings, fixtures and fittings. Extra facilities and personal touches may be provided, e.g. hairdryer, radio. At least half the bedrooms will have en-suite facilities, which will be well fitted with quality sanitary ware, effective lighting and ventilation. Towels will be of a high quality and a range of toiletries will be provided.

A very good breakfast will be offered, with a wide selection of starter and cooked options. Local or homemade specialities may be featured, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients.

Service and guest care will be attentive, efficient and hospitable.

FIVE Stars:

Excellent quality accommodation with exceptional levels of hospitality. Bedrooms will offer ample space with excellent comfort and elements of luxury. High quality décor, furnishings and fittings will feature in all guest areas. All bedrooms will be en-suite or have private facilities, which will be fitted out with high quality sanitary ware and fixtures. Luxury towelling, including bath sheets and a wide range of quality toiletries.

Public areas will offer the same high quality as the bedrooms and provide guests with additional space for comfort and relaxation.

Breakfast will offer a wide selection of produce such as freshly squeezed fruit juices, fruits in season, bakery items and homemade preserves. Cooked options will be numerous, possibly with some original or regional specialities.

Service and hospitality levels will be exemplary.

Diamond ratings

At a ONE Diamond you will find:

An acceptable overall level of quality, offering, as a minimum, a full cooked or continental breakfast. Other meals, where provided, will be freshly prepared.

At a TWO Diamond you will find:

A good overall level of quality and comfort, with greater emphasis on guest care in all areas.

At a THREE Diamond you will find:

A very good overall level of quality, comfortable, well maintained bedrooms, a good choice of quality items available for breakfast, customer care and all-round comfort.

At a FOUR Diamond you will find:

An excellent level of quality in all areas and attention to detail, evident in all areas.

At a FIVE Diamond you will find:

An exceptional overall level of quality. For example, high quality furniture, excellent interior design and customer care, anticipating your needs.