The AA reveals Britain’s best places to eat and stay in 2026
From exceptional restaurants and standout hotels and B&Bs to much-loved inns and the chefs behind some of Britain’s finest food, the AA has revealed the winners of its 2026 Hospitality Awards, highlighting some of the UK’s best places to eat and stay.
As the AA celebrates 70 years of its renowned AA Rosette award, which recognises restaurants serving food of a superior standard, this year’s awards showcase the breadth and diversity of hospitality excellence across the UK, with the AA Hotel of the Year, AA Restaurant of the Year and AA B&B of the Year among the headline awards.
The awards also see a host of restaurants awarded new AA Rosettes and hotels recognised with AA Red Stars, the AA’s annual accolade for hotels and restaurants that demonstrate high standards of quality, hospitality and service, giving diners and travellers a fresh list of outstanding places to discover.
Among this year’s winners is Adam Byatt of Trinity Restaurant, London, who has been named AA Chefs’ Chef of the Year 2026, as voted for by fellow AA Rosette-holding chefs. The award recognises the chef who has earned the respect of their peers for their contribution to British hospitality and culinary excellence.
Adam Byatt said of his win: “Winning this award is a huge honour. I’m incredibly proud and grateful to have been chosen as this year’s AA Chef’s Chef of the Year out of such an esteemed group.”
Simon Numphud, Managing Director of AA Hotel & Hospitality Services said:
“Every year, the AA Hospitality Awards shines a light on hotels, restaurants, B&Bs, Inns and Chefs going above and beyond to deliver memorable experiences for guests and diners. This year’s winners showcase the breadth and quality of hospitality across the UK, giving consumers a host of trusted recommendations and inspiration for their next meal or stay.
“Behind every award is a commitment to quality and service, which is what helps sets British hospitality apart, underpinning its world-renowned reputation. Congratulations to all this year’s finalists and winners – we look forward to seeing their guests enjoy what they have to offer.”
AA Hospitality Awards – 2026 winners
AA Chefs’ Chef of the Year
Adam Byatt of Trinity Restaurant, London
AA Restaurants of the Year
England – The Star Inn, Harome, North Yorkshire
London – AngloThai, London
Wales – The Walnut Tree Inn, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
Scotland – Swadish by Ajay Kumar, Glasgow, Glasgow City
AA Group of the Year
The Celtic Collection, Newport, South Wales
AA Hotels of the Year
London – The Emory, London
England – Calcot & Spa, Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Scotland – Crossbasket Castle, High Blantyre, South Lanarkshire
Wales – Porth Tocyn Hotel, Abersoch, Gwynedd
Northern Ireland – Culloden Estate & Spa, Holywood, County Down
AA Small Hotel Group of the Year
Firmdale Hotels, London
AA Wine Award
England and Overall – etch. by Steven Edwards, Brighton, East Sussex
Wales – The Jackdaw, Conwy, Conwy County Borough
Scotland – Knockinaam Lodge, Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway
AA Sustainable Restaurant of the Year
The Black Swan at Oldstead, Oldstead, North Yorkshire
AA Inn of the Year
The Penny Bun, Otley, West Yorkshire
AA B&B of the Year
Lys-Na-Greyne, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire
AA Restaurant with Rooms of the Year
House of George W. Davies, Broadway, Worcestershire
AA Spa Hotel of the Year
Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa, St Andrews, Fife
AA Sustainable Award
Malmaison & Hotel du Vin, Nationwide
AA College Restaurant of the Year
The Classroom, Cardiff & Vale College, Cardiff
New 4 Rosettes
Frog by Adam Handling, London
Hide and Fox, Hythe, Kent
Ikoyi, London
Inver, Strathlachlan, Argyll and Bute
LI~LY by Aiden Byrne, Knutsford, Cheshire
The Cocochine, London
New 3 Rosettes
AngloThai, London
Daise by Tony Parkin, Wirral, Merseyside
FERN, Nanstallon, Cornwall
Flavour, Tarbert, Western Isles
KYND at Hampton Manor, Solihull, West Midlands
Langar Hall Hotel, Langar, Nottinghamshire
Lofft, Cardiff
Luna Omakase, London
Orrery by Pierre Minotti, London
Restaurant Elm, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Sō-lō Restaurant, Aughton, Lancashire
St Barts, London
The Bath Priory Hotel, Restaurant & Spa, Bath, Somerset
The Gunroom Restaurant, Caernarfon, Gwynedd
Tom Brown at The Capital, London
New 5 Red Stars
Ashford Castle, Cong, County Mayo
Langdale Chase, Windermere, Cumbria
The Chancery Rosewood, London
The Emory, London
New 4 Red Stars
Holmes Hotel, London
Penmaenuchaf Dolgellau, Dolgellau, Gwynedd
