What the Diamond Awards denote

The Diamond Awards assess guest accommodation at five levels of quality, from one diamond at the simplest, to five diamonds at the luxury end of the spectrum. The following areas are assessed: cleanliness and housekeeping; service and hospitality; bedroom facilities; bathroom facilities; food quality and service; public rooms; safety and security; appearance and upkeep.

Establishments applying for AA quality assessment are visited on a ‘mystery guest’ basis by one of the AA’s team of qualified accommodation inspectors. The inspector will stay overnight to make a thorough test of the accommodation, food, and hospitality offered, and only after settling the bill the following morning will he/she declare identity and ask to be shown round the premises. The inspector will then complete a full report, resulting in a recommendation for the appropriate quality level.

¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ 5 Diamond level (outstanding quality): quality percentage is 85% plus

¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ 4 Diamond level (high quality): quality percentage is 70% - 84%

¨ ¨ ¨ 3 Diamond level (good quality): quality percentage is 50% - 69%

¨ ¨ 2 Diamond level (standard quality): quality percentage is 35% - 49%

¨ 1 Diamond level (standard quality): quality percentage is 20% - 34%