The Diamonds scheme covers guest houses and bed and breakfasts that do not offer all the facilities of a hotel. Typically they will be smaller, probably family run, establishments. Sometimes the only thing stopping an establishment from being categorised as a hotel is that they do not offer an evening meal.

If a guest house or hotel has a diamond or star rating, you can expect to find the following minimum standards at all Diamond levels:

Clean, comfortable, secure accommodation, with bedrooms equipped to modern standards.
Beds, bedding and other bedroom furniture and equipment in good condition.
Bedding, linen and tea towels changed for each new guest, and at least weekly if the room is taken for a long stay. Additional pillows and blankets should be available on request.
Adequate lighting and comfortable seating, a wardrobe or equivalent, shelves or drawers. Curtains or blinds correctly fitted and functioning. Adequate, clean and comfortable floor covering with bedside rugs, or fitted carpets. Proper attention to hygiene in bathrooms and WCs; adequate provision of toilet tissue and fresh soap. Adequate heating at no extra cost, and extra heating available at no extra cost on request. Hot water available at reasonable times. Normally a full, cooked breakfast will be available, although some establishments may offer only a continental breakfast. (unless self-catering) Note that a few establishments display room only rates - if this is the case, breakfast will be charged extra!

What the Diamonds mean
Guest houses can be awarded from one Diamond at the simplest level, to 5 Diamonds at the luxury end.

To be awarded any Diamonds at all, establishments must provide sufficient quality in all areas of operation shown below. They are given a score from 1 to 5 in each section. If they do not achieve a sufficient quality standard, they cannot be awarded a diamond rating at all.

The standards they are judged on are:

Cleanliness and Housekeeping
Service and Hospitality
Bedroom Facilities
Bathroom, Shower, WC and en-suite Facilities
Food Quality and Service
Public Rooms such as guest lounges
Safety and Security, Exterior and Interior Appearance and upkeep
The awards take all these factors into account.

At all Diamond levels, cleanliness and good housekeeping are of the highest importance and the emphasis of the assessment for a Diamond rating is on guest care and quality rather than the provision of extra facilities.

Once everything has been assessed, the scores are converted into a percentage which is then turned into a Diamond rating:

1 Diamond - Standard Quality - reflects a score of between 20% and 34%

2 Diamonds - Standard Quality - reflects a score of between 35% and 49%

3 Diamonds - Good Quality- reflects a score of between 50% and 69%

4 Diamonds - High Quality - reflects a score of between 70% and 84%

5 Diamonds - Outstanding Quality - reflects a score of 85% and more.

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