Prom Hotel in Great Yarmouth awarded coveted four star AA rating

James Docwra and Ian Scott of the Prom Hotel, Great Yarmouth. (Image: TMS Media Ltd)

The hotel's Strollers Restaurant also retained its AA Rosette, awarded to restaurants that achieve notable standards in their local area.

'We see the four-star rating as recognition of both the huge financial investment we've made in the Prom Hotel and the professionalism and commitment of our fantastic team,' said Ian Scott, co-owner with his father Rodney.

'The hotel business is highly competitive and continuous investment is the only way to ensure that you meet the high standards and expectations of today's leisure and corporate visitors. There's only one other four-star hotel in Great Yarmouth and only 16 throughout Norfolk. We feel privileged to be in such good company.'

Hotel manager James Docwra said: 'We were completely unaware an AA inspector was staying with us, so there was no special treatment. What she experienced was what every guest can expect.

'I can't praise the team enough for their exceptional professionalism, which shone through in the inspector's report. It's encouraging to know that our investment in facilities and team training, and our commitment to raising standards has been acknowledged in this way.'

The 50-bedroom Prom Hotel, on Marine Parade and opposite the Britannia Pier, has been created from four adjoining hotels - the Lincoln, the Sandringham, the Fairholme and Number 78 - which were purchased and redeveloped over a number of years with an investment of more than £1m.

This includes the opening of Strollers restaurant, new bar, kitchen, reception and lift, and the development of the Green Room function suite and breakfast room.

The AA adopted star rating to classify hotels as long ago as 1912. In 2006, in collaboration with VisitBritain, VisitScotland and VisitWales, it developed Common Quality Standards for inspecting and rating accommodation, now applied throughout the British Isles.