Hotel Star Ratings Explained

In 2007, a set of common quality accommodation standards were agreed by the AA and the UK national tourist authorities (VisitBritain, VisitScotland and VisitWales). These quality standards give you confidence that establishments can meet the standards you require.

Hotel Categories

There are now five formal full-service Hotel categories:

• Hotel - formal accommodation offering full hotel services
• Country House Hotel - hotel with ample grounds or gardens set in a rural or semi-rural situation, these properties have an emphasis on peace and quiet
• Small Hotel - smaller establishments having a maximum of 20 bedrooms
• Town House Hotel - high-quality property of distinctive style with a maximum of 50 bedrooms, situated in a town or city centre
• Metro Hotel - a town or city property providing full hotel services except dinner, close to a range of places to eat.

Star ratings for establishments assessed under the Hotels criteria:

5 Star Hotel
Luxurious accommodation and public areas, with a range of extra facilities and a multi-lingual service available. Guests are greeted at the hotel entrance. High quality menu and wine list.

4 Star Hotel
Professional, uniformed staff respond to your needs or requests, and there are usually well-appointed public areas. The restaurant or dining room is open to residents and non-residents and lunch is available in a designated eating area.

3 Star Hotel
Staff are smartly and professionally presented. All rooms are en-suite, and the restaurant or dining room is open to residents and non-residents.

2 Star Hotel
All rooms are en-suite or have private facilities. A restaurant or dining room serves breakfast daily and dinner most evenings.

1 Star Hotel
Courteous staff provide an informal yet competent service. The majority of rooms are en-suite and a designated eating area serves breakfast and dinner most evenings.

The AA and the UK Tourist Authorities also recognise excellence with the following awards.

The AA - Highly Commended
AA inspectors determine a quality score as a percentage to cover all aspects of a guest accommodation including service. The score is then represented as a one to five star rating. Yellow stars indicate that an establishment is within the upper 10% of the quality score range for a three, four and five star hotel.

UK Tourist Authority - Silver Award
This award reflects a high level of quality, comfort and cleanliness in bedrooms and bathrooms with very good levels of customer care and food provision.

UK Tourist Authority - Gold Award
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.

AA Inspectors' Choice
These hotels stand out as the very best in the UK and Republic of Ireland, regardless of style. The selected Inspectors' Choice hotels are identified by red stars.

B & Bs/Guest Accommodation Star Ratings Explained

In 2007, a set of common quality accommodation standards were agreed by the AA and the UK national tourist authorities (VisitBritain, VisitScotland and VisitWales). These quality standards give you confidence that establishments can meet the standards you require. In addition, you will find on this site locally APPROVED accommodation which meets or exceeds the requirements of the St Ives Hotel and Guest House Association's independent quality assurance scheme, described below.

Guest Accommodation Categories

There are now six formal Guest Accommodation categories:

• Bed and Breakfast - Accommodation provided in a private house by the owner for up to six paying guests
• Guest House - Accommodation for more than six paying guests, with the owner and staff providing more services e.g. licensed bar
• Farmhouse - Bed and Breakfast or Guest House provided on a working farm
• 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 - A restaurant offering a maximum of 12 bedrooms
• Guest Accommodation - Any establishment that meets the minimum entry requirements can choose to use this general category

Guest Accommodation gradings are as follows:

5 Star Guest Accommodation
Awareness of each guest's needs with nothing being too much trouble. All bedrooms are en-suite or have a private bathroom. Excellent beds and furnishings. Breakfast includes specials/home-made items, high quality ingredients and fresh local produce.

4 Star Guest Accommodation
Attentive, more personalised service. At least half of the bedrooms are en-suite 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

3 Star Guest Accommodation
Friendly welcome, and good-quality, well presented beds and furniture. A choice of good-quality, freshly cooked food is available at breakfast.

2 Star Guest Accommodation
Courteous service, well-maintained beds and breakfast prepared with a good level or care.

1 Star Guest Accommodation
There are minimum quality requirements for cleanliness, maintenance, hospitality, facilities and services. A cooked or substantial continental breakfast is served in a dining room, eating area or bedroom.

In addition to the above ratings, the AA and the UK Tourist Authorities recognise excellence with the following awards.

The AA - Highly Commended

AA inspectors determine a quality score as a percentage to cover all aspects of a guest accommodation including service. The score is then represented as a one to five star rating. Yellow stars indicate that an establishment is within the upper 10% of the quality score range for a three, four and five star guest accommodation.

UK Tourist Authority - Silver Award This award reflects a high level of quality, comfort and cleanliness in bedrooms and bathrooms with very good levels of customer care and food provision.

UK Tourist Authority - Gold Award 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.

"APPROVED" accommodation on this site is inspected by the St Ives Hotel and Guest House Association's own assessor and meets or exceeds the Association's minimum standards for clean, comfortable accommodation. The owners of these establishments have elected not to be part of a national quality assurance scheme, usually because it is uneconomic for them to do so on account of their size or the length of their operating season. Much of our "approved" accommodation exceeds the requisite standard by a wide margin. This is an entirely independent quality assurance scheme operated by the St Ives Hotel and Guest House Association Ltd only in West Cornwall.

Self Catering Ratings Explained

In 2007, a set of common quality accommodation standards were agreed by the AA and the UK national tourist authorities (VisitBritain, VisitScotland and VisitWales). These quality standards give you confidence that establishments can meet the standards you require.

In addition, you will find on this site locally APPROVED accommodation which meets or exceeds the requirements of the St Ives Hotel and Guest House Association's independent quality assurance scheme, described below. Self Catering gradings are as follows:

5 Star Self Catering accommodation

• Exceptional with a degree of luxury
• Two of the following to be provided: Tumble dryer, Telephone incoming & outgoing (Prepaid mobile acceptable), Hi-Fi, Video recorder, DVD player
• All beds to be full size including children's
• Bath and shower in main bathroom
• Freezer provided within unit
• Dishwasher provided within the unit
• Washing machine provided in the unit, maybe provided in an external laundry room with 24 hour access

4 Star Self Catering accommodation

• An excellent standard throughout
• All units to be self contained
• All easy seating to be provided in the main lounge/lounges
• All sleeping space to be in bedrooms (Studios acceptable when clearly advertised)

3 Star Self Catering accommodation

• A good level of quality and comfort
• Bedside table/shelf and light for all bed spaces (Twin beds may share)
• Where more than 6 guests a shower should be available (Hands free can be over bath)

2 Star Self Catering accommodation

• Well presented and well run
• There should be no more than one non self contained unit on each floor. All full size beds

1 Star Self Catering accommodation

• Simple, practical, no frills. Non self contained; all facilities to be for the sole use of one unit.

"APPROVED" accommodation on this site is inspected by the St Ives Hotel and Guest House Association's own assessor and meets or exceeds the Association's minimum standards for clean, comfortable accommodation. The owners of these establishments have elected not to be part of a national quality assurance scheme, usually because it is uneconomic for them to do so on account of their size or the length of their operating season. Much of our "approved" accommodation exceeds the requisite standard by a wide margin. This is an entirely independent quality assurance scheme operated by the St Ives Hotel and Guest House Association Ltd only in West Cornwall.