The AA, English Tourism Council and RAC, in response to customer demand, have joined forces to create one new overall rating scheme for Hotels and Guest Accommodation.

Now, when you see an accommodation sign showing Stars or Diamonds, you'll know that the Hotel or Guest Accommodation has been visited overnight anonymously by qualified inspectors - all working to the same high standards. So you can have confidence that your accommodation has been thoroughly checked and rated for quality before you make a booking.

HOTELS are given a rating from one to five stars - the more stars, the higher the quality and the greater the range of facilities and level of services provided.

GUEST ACCOMMODATION, which includes guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, inns and farmhouses, is rated from one to five diamonds. The same minimum requirement for facilities and services applies to all Guest Accommodation from one to five diamonds. Progressively higher levels of quality and customer care must be provided for each of the one to five diamond ratings.

SELF CATERING Look for the English tourism Council Self-Catering Star ratings. The more stars (from one to five) awarded to an establishment, the higher the level of quality you can expect. Establishments at higher rating levels also have to meet some additional requirements for facilities.

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