AA Guest Accommodation Recognition Scheme

We aim to promote our partners – the establishments that we have recognised with our well-established ratings. To do this we use a range of printed and online marketing that allows us to reach a wide and diverse audience.

Our team also helps and advises proprietors on improvements they can make for the customer. These improvements help their businesses to be more competitive, and to increase customer satisfaction.

Common standards for accommodation

The AA assesses establishments that offer accommodation to a set of common quality standards. These standards are agreed by the AA and the UK tourist authorities: VisitBritain, VisitScotland and Visit Wales. Accommodation is assessed under three broad categories: Hotel, Guest Accommodation and Budget Hotel.

If you have been assessed and recognised by one of the tourist authorities you can join the AA as an Associate Member. This means we recognise the rating given to you by the tourist organisation that assessed you.

Guest accommodation categories

Guest Accommodation	Any establishment that meets the minimum entry requirements is eligible for this general category.
Bed & Breakfast	Accommodation provided in a private house by the owner for up to six paying guests.
Guest House	Accommodation provided for more than six paying guests, and run on a more commercial basis than a B&B. Usually more services, for example, dinner, provided by staff as well as the owner.
Farmhouse	B&B or Guest House accommodation provided on a working farm or smallholding.
Inn	Accommodation provided in a fully-licensed establishment. The bar will be open to non-residents and provide food in the evenings.
Restaurant with Rooms	Destination restaurant offering overnight accommodation with the restaurant being the main business and open to non-residents. The restaurant should offer a high standard of food and restaurant service at least five nights a week. A liquor licence and a maximum of 12 bedrooms are necessary.

AA Star ratings

From 2006, Stars replaced Diamonds as the AA's rating system for guest accommodation. Star ratings, from one to five, are used to assess guest accommodation. The following is a brief summary of standards expected from guest accommodation within their ratings.

	Minimum quality requirements for cleanliness, maintenance, hospitality, facilities and service. A cooked or substantial continental breakfast is served in a dining room or eating area, or bedroom only.
	Courteous service, well-maintained beds, and breakfast prepared with a good level of care.
	A friendly welcome and good-quality, well-presented beds and furniture. A choice of good-quality, freshly cooked food is available at breakfast.
	Attentive, more personalised service. At least half of the bedrooms are ensuite or have private bathrooms. Very good beds and high quality furniture. Breakfast offers a greater choice, and fresh ingredients are cooked and presented with a high level of care.
	Awareness of each guest's needs with nothing being too much trouble. All bedrooms are ensuite or have a private bathroom. Excellent quality beds and furnishings. Breakfast includes specials/home-made items, high quality ingredients, and fresh local produce.

For detailed information, download our Guest Accommodation Quality Standards brochure.

Highly commended guest accommodation

Yellow Stars indicate that an accommodation is in the top ten percent of its star rating. Yellow Stars only apply to three, four or five Star establishments.

Rosette awards for guest accommodation

Rosettes are awarded annually to AA inspected restaurants for the quality of their food. Some Star-rated guest accommodation have their own restaurants and we also inspect these. Not all restaurants receive an AA award, but will generally serve enjoyable food of a reasonable standard.

	Excellent restaurants that stand out in their local area. The food is prepared with care, understanding and skill, using good-quality ingredients.
	The best local restaurants, offering higher standards and better consistency. Greater precision is apparent in the cooking, and there is obvious attention to the quality and selection of ingredients.
	Three Rosettes are awarded to outstanding restaurants that demand recognition well beyond the local area. The highest quality ingredients receive sympathetic treatment, and there is consistent timing, seasoning, and judgement of flavour combinations You can expect excellent and intelligent service, and a well-chosen wine list.
	Four Rosettes highlight cooking that demands national recognition. Dishes demonstrate intense ambition, a passion for excellence, superb technical skills and remarkable consistency. An appreciation of culinary traditions is combined with a desire for exploration and improvement.
	The food at a Five Rosette restaurant stands comparison with the best in the world. It is highly individual, benefits from breathtaking culinary skills, and sets the standards to which others aspire. There will also be a knowledgeable and distinctive wine list.

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AA training and consultancy - could you benefit?

The AA provides a range of training and consultancy for hoteliers. There are a wide range of options available for owners and managers who want to improve the performance of their establishments, and the efficiency of their services and staff.

Find out more about our training and consultancy options.