The biggest mistake hospitality businesses make when responding to a crisis? Waiting until it’s already become one. 🔥 At our Stay Ahead Marketing Masterclass, Maria from Custard will show how hospitality businesses can spot the early sparks of an issue before they turn into a bigger fire, and how the right communications strategy helps you respond with confidence when challenges arise. It’s just one of the practical sessions designed to give hospitality businesses ideas and tools they can take away and put into action. 🗓️ 23 November 2026 📍 St. Ermin’s Hotel, London Book your tickets to Stay Ahead today: eventbrite.co.uk/e/stay-ahea… #StayAhead

AI is changing how people discover, research, and choose where to stay, and hospitality businesses need to understand what that means for their visibility. At Stay Ahead, Clockwork Marketing will unpack the latest AI trends in hospitality and the growing importance of Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) - with practical insight into how businesses can adapt as search evolves. 📍 St. Ermin’s Hotel, London 🗓️ 23 November 🎟️ Don’t get left behind. Book your ticket to Stay Ahead: eventbrite.co.uk/e/stay-ahea… #StayAhead #HospitalityMarketing #HotelMarketing #AI

We’re always looking for new ways to showcase our rated establishments. 💡 That was part of the thinking behind our new Great British Detour campaign. We asked AA and VisitEngland-assessed accommodation providers across Britain to share the places they recommend to their own guests – from hidden beaches and coastal walks to historic landmarks, local food stops and lesser-known viewpoints. We’ve turned that local knowledge into travel inspiration on RatedTrips.com, connecting each detour back to the rated establishment that recommended it and helping travellers discover more of the brilliant places and businesses across the UK. The first 12 Great British Detours are now live – but this is just the start! The Great British Detour is an ongoing campaign, and we’d love more of our rated providers to get involved. If there’s a hidden gem, local experience or lesser-known spot you always recommend to your guests, we want to hear about it. 📍 Explore the first 12 detours or submit your detour recommendation here: ratedtrips.com/great-british… #GreatBritishDetour

Just over 6 weeks to go until our Stay Ahead Marketing Conference, in collaboration with Custard! Our Managing Director, Simon Numphud, shares what you can expect from a day designed specifically for hospitality businesses. From AI and changing guest behaviour to social media, PR, and consumer psychology, we’ll explore what’s changing in hospitality marketing and, importantly, what businesses can do about it. 📅 23 November 2026 📍 St. Ermin’s Hotel, London Hear more from Simon below and book your place: eventbrite.co.uk/e/stay-ahea… Thank you to Clockwork Marketing and Biteluxe for sponsoring this event. #StayAhead #HospitalityMarketing #HospitalityIndustryEvent

Hospitality marketing is changing fast. Is your marketing keeping up? From AI and social media to shifting customer behaviour, there’s a lot to stay ahead of. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Custard to bring you Stay Ahead – a one-day masterclass for hospitality professionals. Join industry experts for practical insights across marketing, PR, social media, AI and consumer behaviour, with ideas you can take straight back to your business. 🗓️ 23 November 2026 📍 St. Ermin’s Hotel, London 🎟️ £150pp | Exclusive offer for AA members 🕘 9am–5pm + drinks reception Ready to Stay Ahead? Book your place: eventbrite.co.uk/e/stay-ahea… #StayAhead

Give customers confidence before they even walk through the door. ✅ Visitor Ready helps hospitality businesses show they meet key standards while keeping the process straightforward from start to finish. Signing up is quick, easy and free 👉 VisitorReady.com #VisitorReady

What’s really happening across UK hospitality right now? We want to hear from you - the people working in it. We’ve launched our first industry survey, giving hospitality and travel businesses the chance to share what they’re seeing on the ground – from changing customer behaviour and rising costs to bookings, investment and the opportunities ahead. ⏱️ It takes just 10 minutes 🔒 Your responses are confidential 🎟️ Complete the survey and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win a ticket to the AA Stay Ahead Marketing Conference at St. Ermin’s Hotel, London, on 23 November. Your insight will help us build a clearer picture of where UK hospitality stands today – and where it’s heading next. Have your say and take the survey: forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/… Entries close Friday 2 October at 5pm.

Just one week to go until the Independent Hotel Show! Our Managing Director, Simon Numphud, and Head of Inspections, Paul Hackett, will be discussing how AA ratings and inspections work, how standards are evolving alongside guest expectations, and how hotels can make more of their accreditation across their marketing and guest communications: Star power: Getting more from your AA rating 📅 6 October | 13:15–14:00 📍 Social Business Space If you’re attending, come along to the session and make sure you stop by stand 810 and say hello to the AA team. 👋 #IndependentHotelShow

The AA Hospitality Awards 2026 winners have been revealed! 🏆 Last night, we brought the industry together to recognise the hotels, restaurants, people and teams setting the standard across UK hospitality. A huge congratulations to all of this year’s winners, and to everyone recognised for their hard work, talent and contribution to our industry. What a night for UK hospitality! Meet the 2026 winners 👉 ratedtrips.com/travel-ideas/… #AAawards

Last year, Gareth Ward of Ynyshir restaurant was crowned our AA Chefs’ Chef of the Year, voted for by his fellow AA Rosette chefs. Gareth’s career began in local pubs before taking him to Hambleton Hall, Seaham Hall, Hart’s and Restaurant Sat Bains. Then, in 2013, he made the move to Ynyshir in Wales. Alongside partner Amelia Eriksson, Gareth transformed the former country house into the unique dining destination it is today, achieving five AA Rosettes in 2017. Known for doing things entirely on his own terms, his bold, creative approach has shaped Ynyshir’s fast-paced, immersive experience of more than 20 courses. A career built on creativity, constant innovation and a drive to keep pushing forward – recognised by the chefs who know our industry best. Thank you to Woods Foodservice for sponsoring this year’s award, and best of luck to all those shortlisted. Not long until we reveal our 2026 winner… #AAawards

Last year, James Thomson OBE DL MI received our AA Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising an extraordinary career and contribution to the industry. James opened The Witchery in 1979 at just 20 years old, before going on to open Edinburgh’s first rooftop restaurant, The Tower, and later transforming Prestonfield House into a 5 AA Red Star hotel. His impact reaches far beyond his own businesses. James launched ‘Lunch with an Old Bag’, which has raised more than £9 million for The King’s Trust to support young people across Scotland. He also introduced voluntary £1 donations on bills at The Witchery and Prestonfield, raising more than £1 million for the charity. Alongside this, he has supported students at Edinburgh College for over 40 years and is a founding patron of Springboard UK, helping people build skills and careers in hospitality. Reflecting on the award, James said the recognition was not only a personal milestone, but a tribute to the people who have helped bring his vision to life – including members of his team who have been with him for more than 30 years. A remarkable contribution to Scottish hospitality, and the next generation coming into our industry. ❤️ Thank you to our sponsor Chabé for their continued support of this award. #AAawards

3 days to go! 🎉 The AA Hospitality Awards are nearly here – bringing the industry together to celebrate the people and teams behind the very best in hospitality. And the celebrations don’t stop once the awards have been announced… there’s still the dance floor to look forward to! Who from your team will you be celebrating with on the night? #AAawards

From producer to plate, every choice matters. 🌱 Our new AA Sustainable Restaurant of the Year Award, sponsored by St Ewe Eggs, celebrates restaurants putting responsible sourcing and sustainable practice at the heart of what they do. As St Ewe ambassador Lisa Goodwin-Allen says, sourcing the very best ingredients is about more than quality – it’s about understanding where they come from and recognising the “time, passion and effort” that goes into producing them. The winner will be revealed at the AA Hospitality Awards on 21 September! Last-minute tickets are still available – book yours 👉 aahospitalityawards.com/aaho… #AAawards

The AA Hospitality Awards bring together hundreds of people from across the industry for an evening of recognition, celebration and, of course, plenty of catching up. 🤩 So, with 21 September fast approaching, we want to know: what are you most looking forward to? Whether you’re joining us to network, celebrate, win or simply enjoy a brilliant night with the industry, we can’t wait to welcome you! #AAawards

Last year, @InterludeSussex was named AA Restaurant with Rooms of the Year, sponsored by @RawCharging. 🏆 For Executive Chef @delportjean, the win recognised the work that goes into every part of the experience: “It recognised the hard work that goes into every part of the experience, from the kitchen and service to the rooms, vineyard and gardens. The award gave the team a real sense of pride and confidence, and has helped strengthen Interlude’s position as a destination restaurant.” Jean puts the win down to consistency, teamwork and attention to detail – with everyone pulling in the same direction to give guests something truly memorable. With less than a week to go, we’ll soon find out who will be crowned this year’s winner! aahospitalityawards.com/aaho… #AAawards

One week to go! ✨ This time next week, the hospitality industry will come together for the AA Hospitality Awards 2026! We’ll be celebrating the chefs, hoteliers, teams and rising talent making their mark across UK hospitality, and revealing this year’s winners. Our Silent Auction is also officially open, raising funds for Hospitality Action and Room to Reward – two brilliant charities supporting people within hospitality and beyond. There are some incredible prizes up for grabs, so take a look at what’s on offer and get your bids in early! 👉 app.goinggone.io/aa-awards-2… #AAawards

Simple to join, valuable for your business. For Petit Four, Visitor Ready offered an easy way to demonstrate high standards and build customer confidence. Sign up for free today 👉 VisitorReady.com #VisitorReady

If you could invite three people to your dream dinner party, who would you invite? 👀 We asked the three chefs behind this year’s AA Hospitality Awards menu, and their answers certainly made for some interesting tables… Who would be your dream dinner guests? Tell us below 👇 #AAawards

From Lyon to London! 🇫🇷 Joséphine brings the spirit of a traditional Lyonnaise bouchon to Fulham Road, with Claude Bosi’s hometown flavours at its heart. Simple, generous cooking that packs a punch, paired with slick, warm hospitality and a brilliant Rhône-focused wine list. It’s this distinctive approach that earned Joséphine the AA Restaurant of the Year London title in 2025. Now, with less than two weeks to go until this year’s winner is revealed, who will follow in their footsteps? Thank you to Venners for supporting this award and championing excellence across London’s restaurant scene. Join us at the AA Hospitality Awards on 21 September to find out who takes the title 👉 aahospitalityawards.com/aaho… #AAawards

“A trusted guide to superb food – championing great cooking for 70 years.” – @raymond_blanc OBE Looking for somewhere special to eat? The AA Restaurant Guide 2027 is here to help you discover some of the UK’s best dining destinations. 🏵️ As we celebrate 70 years of AA Rosettes, the guide features over 1,500 AA Rosette restaurants, reviewed and rated by AA Inspectors, alongside trusted recommendations, detailed reviews and inspector highlights. Be among the first to get your copy and discover the very best dining destinations for 2027! Pre-order now 👉 amazon.co.uk/Restaurant-Guid… 📸 Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling #AARated #AARosettes #AAawards