Quality Standards

We assess and rate accommodation under a set of quality standards agreed between the AA and the UK tourist authorities. You can read our guide to hotel standards, below.

How does a hotel get stars?

One of our professional inspectors will visit a hotel as a mystery guest. They will then discuss their assessment with the hotel and provide feedback. They will award a star rating based on the assessment and they may also award Rosettes for food quality.

Star ratings

★ Stars: Ranging from 3 to 5, black star ratings denote the standard of quality for hotels in the areas of hospitality, service, bedrooms, bathrooms, cleanliness and food.

★ Highly Recommended. Hotels with Silver Stars have been selected for offering superior levels of quality, high standards of housekeeping and for the quality of food within their star rating.

★ Best UK Hotels. Each year we select the best hotels in each rating from 3 to 5 stars. These hotels stand out as the very best in the United Kingdom, regardless of style. View them all on RatedTrips.com >>

Quality Assessed

The ‘Quality Assessed’ accreditation level involves a full inspection, testing all services to ensure minimum quality standards are met, but with no star rating awarded.