The RAC awarded Ariel House the highly acclaimed "Small Hotel Of The Year" award in 1996. The RAC has been inspecting properties for over 90 years and is the authoritative voice on guest accommodation in the UK and in Ireland. The rating awarded gives the reassurance of quality and service.

Ariel House has been awarded five diamonds from the AA - the highest accolade one can be awarded. The Diamond award assesses guest accommodation over five categories of quality, from 1 Diamond at the simplest, to 5 Diamonds at the luxury end of the spectrum.

At all levels, cleanliness and good housekeeping are of the highest importance and the emphasis of the assessment for a Diamond rating is customer care and quality rather than the provision of extra facilities. The 5 Diamond level of which Ariel House has been awarded means that the Quality percentage is 85% plus, the highest standard of accommodation, which can be awarded.

Egon Ronay has recommended Ariel House for the last 10 years. The Egon Ronay guides are entirely independent in their editorial selection and do not accept advertising or payment. The Los Angeles Times state regarding the guides that "The answers to virtually any questions about hotels and restaurants are forthright as ever".