Assessment Awards

VisitBritain Awards

VisitBritain's unique Gold and Silver Awards are given to establishments in recognition of exceptional quality within their existing rating. Properties therefore already need to be accredited in order to enter these awards.

Gold Award - This award is given to Hotels and Guest Accommodation. It reflects a very high level of quality. Properties achieving the Gold Award have exceptional levels of quality, comfort and cleanliness in bedrooms and bathrooms, and outstanding levels of customer care and food.

Silver Award - This award is given to Hotels and Guest Accommodation. It reflects a high level of quality, comfort and cleanliness in bedrooms and bathrooms with very good levels of customer care and food provision.

Rose Award - Rose Awards are given to individual caravans where the overall holiday parks services and facilities provide very good or exceptional levels of quality. These can only be found on 4 or 5 star Holiday Parks.

Green Tourism Business Scheme - The Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) is the largest and most successful environmental accreditation body of tourism-related businesses in Europe. In the UK over 500 members -- accommodation providers, visitor attractions, tour operators and conference facilities - guarantee high quality service. Enjoy their service: you will also be making a valuable contribution towards improving the environment.
Click here for more information on the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

Welcome for Walkers & Cyclists - This accolade is given to establishments who make a conscious effort to welcome walkers and cyclists and go out of their way to meet specific needs. Two sets of criteria have been drawn up which focus on the specific requirements for walkers and cyclists such as somewhere to dry wet outdoor clothing overnight, somewhere to clean off cycles or walking boots, appropriate food arrangements etc.

The AA Awards (percentage %)

AA Merit Scores - In addition to the star classification, the AA gives each hotel an AA Merit Score in the form of a percentage. This indicates the level of quality achieved within each star rating and will help you to compare hotels with the same number of stars.

Good Quality - (64% to 70%). A hotel, which more than satisfies the minimum standards and in certain areas offers higher standards than its star rating requires.

High Quality - (71% and above). A very good hotel, which is strongly recommended for achieving excellent standards in most areas of its operation.

Red Diamond Award & AA Rosettes (for outstanding cuisine)

Diamonds - Bed & Breakfast accommodation assessed by the AA before January 2006 was graded using a Diamond rating. Establishments were awarded one diamond at the simplest level and up to five diamonds at the luxury end, based on an assessment of cleanliness, service, bedroom comfort, bathroom facilities and the standard of food.

Red Diamonds - Recognise the very best establishments within the three, four and five Diamond rating levels, and are amongst the top 10% of establishments in the country.

Red Stars - These hotels are amongst the top 200 Hotels in Great Britain and Ireland. The awards are made annually in recognition of excellence within each star rating.

The AA's Rosette Award Scheme - Is the only homegrown nationwide scheme for assessing the quality of food served by hotels and restaurants. They are annual awards, on a rising scale of one to five, and the emphasis is solely on the quality of the food served, although presentation and competent service are important, they cannot affect the rosette assessment. Not all hotels and restaurants qualify for an award, but will generally serve enjoyable food.