Posted by PAT on December 01, 2003 at 16:17:56:
In Reply to: 3 Diamond rating for B&B posted by Jean on December 01, 2003 at 00:52:25:
: I am looking at a B&B which looks nice but is not listed in the Irish Tourist Board's Booklet. It mentions a AA 3 diamond rating. Anyone know what that means? Thanks.
Dear Jean,
AA ratings are the rankings of hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs by the AA of Britain including ratings for Ireland. The web site is www.theaa.com. If you go to the web site, click the category for hotels and accommodation, and you will be able to search for a specific property or read how they determine the ratings.
To borrow a few lines from their web site, this is what they say about their "diamond ratings":
"Diamonds
Bed & Breakfast accommodation is assessed in a different way to hotels, with the emphasis on guest care and quality rather than provision of extra facilities. Establishments are awarded a diamond rating from one diamond at the simplest level to five diamonds at the luxury end, based on an assessment of cleanliness, service, bedroom comfort, bathroom facilities and the standard of food.
You can expect to find the following minimum standards at all diamond levels:
Friendly, professional check in and check out, with a properly prepared bill
Comfortable rooms equipped to modern standards
Furniture and soft furnishings in good condition. Bedding and towels changed for each new guest and at least weekly if the room is taken for a long stay
Adequate storage, heating, lighting and a sufficient hot water supply
Full, cooked breakfast, but if this is not provided, the fact must be advertised and a continental breakfast given instead
Red diamonds recognise the very best establishments within the three, four and five Diamond rating levels."
That should give you a general idea of what the ratings mean. There is also a web site for the AA in Ireland that is very helpful - www.aaireland.ie.
The "AA" in both titles sstands for "Automobile Association" - it would be the rough equivalent of the AAA in the US.
Hope this helps,
PAT