UK Tourism Gradings / Ratings made easy:
The national assessing bodies (VisitBritain and the AA, as well as the Welsh Tourism Board, and the Scottish Tourism Board) assess Hotels and Guest House/B&B accommodation and award 1-5 stars. Self Catering and Camping and Caravanning sites, are also inspected and graded, awarding 1-5 stars.
The star gradings reflect the overall quality of the accommodation and experience. The establishments are quality checked by independent assessors who work to ensure that the standards you find are what you would expect.
Gradings made easy
1 Star - Simple, practical, no frills
2 Star - Well presented and well run
3 Star - Good level of quality and comfort
4 Star - Excellent standard throughout
5 Star - Exceptional standard with a degree of luxury.
What the gradings mean:
The Quality Rose is the official mark of England's official nationwide quality assessment scheme and is an independent, reliable and an impartial assessment of quality covering every type of accommodation.
The Welsh and Scottish Tourist Board offers similar signage for their graded accommodation.
Serviced Accommodation
There are two separate schemes - one for Hotels and one for B&Bs/Guest Houses.
Hotel categories include:
Hotel, Country House Hotel, Small Hotel, Town House Hotel, Metro Hotel. Hotels are required to be licensed, offer dinner on at least five nights per week (unless a Metro Hotel) with all rooms having en-suites or private bathrooms.
Guest Accommodation categories include:
Guest Accommodation, Bed & Breakfast, Guest House, Farmhouse, Inn, Restaurant with Rooms (no star rating).
Accolades - Gold and Silver Awards
These accolades are awarded to Self Catering properties, Hotels and Guest Houses/B&Bs and recognise exceptional quality in all areas, particularly in service and hospitality.
AA Red Star Hotels
From large luxury hotels to snug country inns, red star hotels are the best in the UK. They are selected from each of the star rating levels for their exceptional quality of accommodation and customer service.
AA Yellow Stars
AA Yellow Stars recognise the very best guest accommodation within the 3-5 star rating
Hostels
Hostels offer safe, budget prices accommodation for families, young people and large groups and are star rated. Higher rated accommodation often provides en-suite rooms.
Self-Catering
Includes the categories Self Catering, Serviced Apartments, Approved Caravan Holiday Home.
Assessments are carried out on the general layout and design of the accommodation taking into account the comfort of both bedrooms and bathrooms. Quality and range of kitchen equipment is assessed and, most important of all, cleanliness.
Individual caravan holiday homes are assessed to ensure they provide clean and comfortable accommodation, gaining Approved Caravan Holiday Home status.
Holiday, Touring Parks and Camping Parks
These star ratings reflect the overall quality of the park ranging from 1-5 stars or pennants if awarded by the AA.