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 Eight Hotels Achieve 2008 AAA Five Diamond Status For the First Time;
Complete List of 100 Hotels and 60 Restaurants
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Orlando, Fla. - 11/9/2007 - AAA has announced the 100 hotels and 60 restaurants that have achieved Five Diamond status, the travel authority’s highest rating for hotels and restaurants.

For 2008, eight hotels made their first appearance on the list: The Canyon Suites at the Phoenician, Scottsdale, Ariz.; St. Regis Resort, Monarch Beach, Dana Point, Calif.; The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, Las Vegas; The Umstead Hotel & Spa, Cary, N.C.; Four Seasons Resort Whistler, Whistler, BC; The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman; the JW Marriott Resort & Spa, Cancun and the Fairmont Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

The four dining additions are The Penrose Room at The Broadmoor (Colorado’s first Five Diamond restaurant), Lautrec, Farmington, Pa.; Blue, Cayman Islands and Le Basilic in Cancun.

Representing the upper echelon of the hospitality industry, AAA Five Diamond Award® winners make up just 0.27 percent of the 60,000 Diamond Rated® lodgings and restaurants throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

“Five Diamond establishments reflect the characteristics of ultimate luxury and sophistication,” said Michael Petrone, director of AAA Tourism Information Development. “The physical attributes of these properties are extraordinary in every manner, and personalized services for guests consistently exceed expectations of even the most refined traveler. To achieve and maintain this level of service is an amazing accomplishment, and AAA is pleased to honor these establishments as Five Diamond Award recipients.”

The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, The Greenbrier in West Virginia and The Camelback Inn in Scottsdale have maintained a Five Diamond Rating for 32 consecutive years – since the hotel Diamond Ratings were first published in the AAA TourBook® guides. Two restaurants have also maintained Five Diamond status for 20 consecutive years (since the Diamond Ratings were first applied to restaurants): The Inn at Little Washington Dining Room in Washington, Va., and Le Bec-Fin in Philadelphia. 

The assignment of a AAA rating of one to five Diamonds marks the completion of a successful annual evaluation. All properties must first meet AAA’s rigorous requirements and guidelines during an evaluation by one of AAA’s 65 full-time professional inspectors to become AAA Approved. 

AAA’s Diamond Rating System is the only ratings system that covers all of North America and one of only two that conduct physical, on-site evaluations. It is the only system that uses full-time, professionally trained evaluators to inspect each property on an annual basis using a set of guidelines that are made available to all establishments. AAA rates more properties than any other rating entity. AAA considers and investigates member feedback during reviews, but does not depend on guest opinions to derive a rating. In addition, AAA provides travelers the opportunity to post comments about their experiences at AAA Approved establishments.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 50 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Consumers can visit AAA on the Internet at AAA.com and access complete Five Diamond Award lists and information at AAA.com/Diamonds.

The Many Facets of Five Diamonds Establishments

All AAA Five Diamond establishments offer exemplary surroundings and service. “In addition to providing unwavering quality, many Five Diamond establishments enhance the diner or guest experience with unique elements such as the following, noted by AAA inspectors during their evaluations,“ said Michael Petrone: 

• Kai (in the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa) – Phoenix, Ariz. 
“The menu uses seasonal ingredients farmed on the local Native American reservation and unique plants developed from the Native Seeds/SEARCH Institute in Tucson. The dining room overlooks Montezuma Peak and the desert floor where wild horses truly do roam.”
• Le Baccara – Gatineau, Quebec 
“Le Baccara restaurant is located in a casino connected to a luxurious Four Diamond Hilton Hotel. What makes this dining room particularly special for foodies is the open kitchen behind a low glass wall. While guests dine, they can watch the orchestration of details that go into each course - from the preparation of individual menu ingredients to the symphonic presentation and garnishing of each plate.”
• Signatures @ Le Cordon Bleu – Ottawa, Ontario 
“The Five Diamond experience is dependent on a property’s ability to consistently elevate the ordinary to the exceptional. Case in point: squash soup at Signatures @ Le Cordon Bleu. The soup is served with the finesse that benefits any fine creation, and visually demands the diner’s attention. But of course the proof is in the eating, and this squash soup with mixed temperatures, textures and flavors creates an unexpected sensation on the palate that is wonderfully delicious and unique.”
• The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park – New York, N.Y. 
“Located only five blocks from Ground Zero, The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park is a phoenix that rose among the ashes and tears of September 11. Its greatest distinction is the magnificent views of the Statue of Liberty. Guests will find the landmark riveting to the point of distraction. It’s an odd juxtaposition, the horror and grief that emanates from the World Trade Center site, and the hope and promise that the Lady and her torch represent. Between the two stands a modern hotel, with stellar Five Diamond service and a bold and defiant New York state of mind.” 
• The Greenbrier – White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. 
“The Greenbrier is a legendary American resort nestled amid West Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains. The current hotel has graced the site since 1913 and has a long history of welcoming both presidents and royalty. Its grand parlors, spas, many guest rooms and cottages are still decorated in the flamboyant mix of colors, patterns and flowers made famous by designer Dorothy Draper in the 1950s. The staff consists of mostly locals, some of whom are descended from as many as four generations of The Greenbrier employees.”
• Four Seasons Resort Whistler – Whistler, British Columbia 
“Aside from the spectacular mountain setting and beautifully appointed guest rooms, the on-site recreational facilities at the Four Seasons Resort Whistler are most impressive, including cardio machines that feature small television screens. After an arduous workout, the hotel’s changing rooms offer a sublime retreat featuring a unique rain shower system.” 
• The American Club – Kohler, Wis. 
“In the quaint little village of Kohler is one of the quiet gems of the hospitality industry. Built in 1918 by the Kohler Company to house immigrants coming to America to work in its foundry, The American Club is rich with history, artistry, craftsmanship and perhaps a ghost or two.” 


 

2008 AAA/CAA Five Diamond Lodgings 
Number indicates consecutive years as a AAA Five Diamond Award Winner. 
List published November 9, 2007, and is subject to change based on establishment operation. 

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UNITED STATES

Arizona 
CAREFREE 
The Boulders Resort and Golden 
Door Spa,19 
SCOTTSDALE 
Camelback Inn, A JW Marriott 
Resort & Spa, 32 
The Canyon Suites at the 
Phoenician, 1 
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 17 
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale 
at Troon North, 7 
The Phoenician, 4 

California 
BEVERLY HILLS 
The Peninsula Beverly Hills, 15 
Raffles L'Ermitage Beverly Hills, 7 
CARLSBAD 
Four Seasons Resort Aviara, 9 
DANA POINT 
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, 22 
St. Regis Resort, Monarch Beach, 1 
HALF MOON BAY 
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, 6 
LA JOLLA 
The Lodge at Torrey Pines, 6 
LOS ANGELES 
Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles 
at Beverly Hills, 7 
MARINA DEL REY 
The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey, 16 
NEWPORT BEACH 
The Island Hotel Newport Beach, 16 
OAKHURST 
Château du Sureau, 14 
OJAI 
Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, 2 
PASADENA 
The Ritz-Carlton, Huntington 
Hotel & Spa, 5 
SAN FRANCISCO 
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, 14 
SANTA BARBARA 
Four Seasons Biltmore Santa Barbara, 3 
Simpson House Inn, 11 

Colorado 
ASPEN 
The Little Nell, 17 
BEAVER CREEK 
The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, 3 
COLORADO SPRINGS 
The Broadmoor, 32 

Connecticut 
WASHINGTON DEPOT 
The Mayflower Inn & Spa, 12 

District of Columbia 
WASHINGTON 
Four Seasons Hotel Washington D.C., 19 
The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown, 4 
The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C., 7 

Florida 
AMELIA ISLAND 
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, 14 
COCONUT GROVE 
The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami, 5 
KEY BISCAYNE 
The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, 3 
MIAMI 
Four Seasons Hotel Miami, 2 
NAPLES 
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, 5 
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, 21 
PALM BEACH 
The Breakers, 12 
PONTE VEDRA BEACH 
Ponte Vedra Inn and Club, 6 
SARASOTA 
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, 3 

Georgia 
ATLANTA 
Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, 9 
The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta, 5 
The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead, 22 
GREENSBORO 
The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, 2 
ST. SIMONS ISLAND 
The Lodge at Sea Island, 7 

Hawaii 
KAPALUA 
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, 12 
KAUPULEHU 
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka'upulehu, 10 
WAILEA 
Four Seasons Resort, Maui at Wailea, 17 

Illinois 
CHICAGO 
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, 18 
The Peninsula Chicago, 6 
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago 
(A Four Seasons Hotel), 3 

Massachusetts 
BOSTON 
Four Seasons Hotel Boston, 20 

Nevada 
LAS VEGAS 
Bellagio, 7 
Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, 9 
Skylofts at the MGM Grand Hotel, 2 
The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, 1 
Wynn Las Vegas, 2 

New York 
New York City 
Four Seasons Hotel New York, 14 
Mandarin Oriental, New York, 3 
The Peninsula New York, 9 
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park, 6 
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park, 6 
The St. Regis Hotel, New York, 14 

North Carolina 
CARY 
The Umstead Hotel & Spa, 1 
PITTSBORO 
The Fearrington House Inn, 14 

Ohio 
AURORA 
Walden Country Inn & Stables, 4 

Pennsylvania 
FARMINGTON 
Falling Rock at Nemacolin Woodlands 
Resort, 2 
PHILADELPHIA 
Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, 24 
The Rittenhouse Hotel and Condominium Residences, 17 
The Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia, 8 

South Carolina 
CHARLESTON 
Wentworth Mansion, 5 
KIAWAH ISLAND 
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island 
Golf Resort, 2 
SUMMERVILLE 
Woodlands Resort & Inn, 11 

Tennessee 
NASHVILLE 
The Hermitage Hotel, 5 

Texas 
DALLAS 
The Mansion On Turtle Creek, 17 
HOUSTON 
Four Seasons Hotel Houston, 13 
The St. Regis Hotel, Houston, 7 
IRVING 
Four Seasons Resort and Club, 5 

Utah 
PARK CITY 
Stein Eriksen Lodge, 6 
SALT LAKE CITY 
The Grand America Hotel, 4 

Virginia 
RICHMOND 
The Jefferson Hotel, 15 
WASHINGTON 
The Inn at Little Washington, 19 

Washington 
SEATTLE 
The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, 24 

West Virginia 
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS 
The Greenbrier, 32 

Wisconsin 
KOHLER 
The American Club, 23 

Wyoming 
TETON VILLAGE 
Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, 2 
 
 

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CANADA 

British Columbia 
VANCOUVER 
The Sutton Place Hotel, 19 
WHISTLER 
Four Seasons Resort Whistler, 1 

CARIBBEAN 

Barbados 
HOLETOWN 
Sandy Lane Hotel, 5 
Cayman Islands 

SEVEN MILE BEACH 
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, 1 

Jamaica 
ROSE HALL 
The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, 
Rose Hall, 7 

St. Kitts and Nevis 
CHARLESTOWN 
Four Seasons Resort Nevis, 6 

MEXICO 

Baja California Sur 
SAN JOSE DEL CABO 
Las Ventanas al Paraiso, 7 

Distrito Federal 
MEXICO CITY 
Four Seasons Hotel Mexico D.F., 12 

Nayarit 
NUEVO VALLARTA 
Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort, 2 
PUNTA MITA 
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita Mexico, 7 

Quintana Roo 
CANCUN 
Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach, 14 
JW Marriott Cancun Resort and Spa, 1 
The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun, 12 
PLAYA DEL CARMEN 
Fairmont Mayakoba, 1 
Occidental Royal Hideaway Resort & Spa, 2 
PUERTO MORELOS 
Paraiso de la Bonita Resort and Thalasso, 4 

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2008 AAA/CAA Five Diamond Restaurants
Number indicates consecutive years as a AAA Five Diamond Award Winner.
List published November 9, 2007, and is subject to change based on establishment operation.
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UNITED STATES

Arizona
PHOENIX
Kai, 2
(in the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass
Resort and Spa)
SCOTTSDALE
Mary Elaine's, 9
(in The Phoenician)
TUCSON
The Ventana Room, 3
(in the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort)

California
BEVERLY HILLS
The Belvedere, 13
(in The Peninsula Beverly Hills)
HEALDSBURG
Cyrus, 2
OAKHURST
Erna's Elderberry House Restaurant, 12
(in the Château du Sureau)
SAN FRANCISCO
The Dining Room, 12
(in The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco)
Gary Danko, 5
YOUNTVILLE
The French Laundry, 3

Colorado
COLORADO SPRINGS
The Penrose Room, 1
(in The Broadmoor)

District of Columbia
WASHINGTON
CityZen, 2
(in the Mandarin Oriental,
Washington D.C.)

Florida
AMELIA ISLAND
Salt, The Grill at The Ritz-Carlton, 14
(in The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island)
LAKE BUENA VISTA
Victoria & Albert's, 8
(in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)
NAPLES
Artisans in The Dining Room, 9
(in The Ritz-Carlton, Naples)
PALM BEACH
L'Escalier, 7
(in The Breakers)
The Restaurant at The Four Seasons, 13
(in The Four Seasons Resort, Palm Beach)

Georgia
ATLANTA
The Dining Room, 19
(in The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead)

Hawaii
HONOLULU
La Mer, 18
(in the Halekulani)

Illinois
CHICAGO
Alinea, 2
Arun's, 6
Avenues, 2
(in The Peninsula Chicago)
Charlie Trotter's, 14
Everest, 12
Seasons Restaurant, 8
(in the Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago)
Tru, 8

Kentucky
LOUISVILLE
The Oakroom, 10
(in The Seelbach Hilton, Louisville)

Maine
KENNEBUNK BEACH
The White Barn Inn Restaurant, 16
(in The White Barn Inn & Spa)

Massachusetts
BOSTON
Aujourd'hui, 13
(in the Four Seasons Hotel, Boston)
L'Espalier, 9
LENOX
Wheatleigh's Dining Room, 3
(in the Wheatleigh)

Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS
The 1913 Room, 6
(in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel)

Nevada
LAS VEGAS
Alex, 3
(in the Wynn Las Vegas)
Joël Robuchon, 2
(in the MGM Grand Hotel)
Le Cirque, 5
(in the Bellagio)
Picasso, 7
(in the Bellagio)

New York
NEW YORK CITY
Aureole, 11
Daniel, 9
Jean Georges Restaurant, 10
(in the Trump International Hotel & Tower)

North Carolina

PITTSBORO
The Fearrington House Restaurant, 13
(in the Fearrington House Inn)

Pennsylvania
FARMINGTON
Lautrec, 1
(in the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort)
PHILADELPHIA
Fountain Restaurant, 14
(in the Four Seasons Hotel, Philadelphia)
Le Bec-Fin, 20

South Carolina
SUMMERVILLE
The Dining Room at Woodlands, 12
(in the Woodlands Resort & Inn)

Texas
DALLAS
The French Room, 19
(in The Adolphus)

Virginia
WASHINGTON
The Inn at Little Washington Dining Room, 20
(in The Inn at Little Washington)

Washington
WOODINVILLE
The Herbfarm Restaurant, 6
 
 

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CANADA

Alberta
BANFF
Eden, 5
(in The Rimrock Resort Hotel)
The Banffshire Club, 5
(in The Fairmont Banff Springs)

British Columbia
VANCOUVER
Lumière, 4

Ontario
CAMBRIDGE
Langdon Hall Dining Room & Terrace, 4
(in the Langdon Hall Country House
Hotel & Spa)
OTTAWA
Signatures @ Le Cordon Bleu, 3
TORONTO
Truffles, 14
(in the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto)

Québec
GATINEAU
Le Baccara, 8
MONTRÉAL
Nuances, 8
Toqué!, 3

CARIBBEAN

Bermuda
SOUTHAMPTON PARISH
The Newport Room, 4
(in the Southampton Princess Hotel)

Cayman Islands
SEVEN MILE BEACH
Blue, 1
(in the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman)

MEXICO

Quintana Roo
CANCUN
The Club Grill, 9
(in The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun)
Fantino, 2
(in The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun)
Le Basilic, 1
(in the Fiesta Americana Grand
Coral Beach)

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Five Diamond Facts

  • Five Diamond Award® winners are a select group; for 2008, just 0.27 percent of the 32,000 AAA Rated® lodgings and 28,000 AAA Rated restaurants received the prestigious designation.
  • The 160 AAA/CAA Five Diamond Award winners for 2008 include 100 lodgings and 60 restaurants throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
  • Twelve Five Diamond Award winners – eight hotels and four restaurants – were added for 2008, and five properties were removed.  
  • For 2008, AAA added more hotels than restaurants; for 2007 more hotels were also added than restaurants; for 2006 AAA added more restaurants than hotels.
  • Three hotels have maintained the Five Diamond Rating for 32 consecutive years (since the Diamond Ratings were first applied to hotels): The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo.; Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa, in Scottsdale, Ariz.; and The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.
  • Two restaurants have maintained Five Diamond status for 20 consecutive years (since the Diamond Ratings were first applied to restaurants):  The Inn at Little Washington Dining Room in Washington, Va.; and Le Bec-Fin in Philadelphia.
  • Colorado gained its first Five Diamond restaurant; The Penrose Room (in The Broadmoor) in Colorado Springs, Colo.
  • Two restaurants and one lodging in Cancun, Mexico, have completed renovations following hurricane-related damage to reinstate their Five Diamond status; The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun; The Club Grill (in The Ritz-Carlton) and Fantino (in The Ritz-Carlton).
  • Chicago continues to have the most Five Diamond restaurants, with seven establishments.  
  • Cancun and the Cayman Islands are the only two places to add both a Five Diamond restaurant and lodging.  Cancun added the JW Marriott Resort and Spa and Le Basilic.  The Cayman Islands added The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman and Blue (in The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman).  
  • States with the most Five Diamond hotels: California (16), Florida (9), Arizona (6), New York (6), Georgia (5) and Nevada (5).
  • States with the most Five Diamond restaurants: Illinois (7) – all in Chicago, California (6), Florida (5).
  • States with the most Five Diamond winners: California (22) – 16 lodgings/6 restaurants, Florida (14) – 9 lodgings/5 restaurants, Illinois (10) – 3 lodgings/7restaurants, Nevada (9) – 5 lodgings/4 restaurants, New York (9) – 6 lodgings/3 restaurants, and Arizona (9) 6 lodgings/3 restaurants.
  • Properties eligible to receive the Five Diamond Rating for the first time undergo multiple evaluations and a final decision by a panel of experts.  Similarly, Five Diamond properties in danger of losing their rating undergo several evaluations and a final panel decision.   
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Contact: 

Heather Hunter
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 407-444-8005
http://www.aaanewsroom.net

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Also See: Ten Hotels Added to AAA Five Diamond Winners for 2007; Complete List of 93 AAA Five Diamond Hotels and 58 AAA Five Diamond Restaurants / October 2006

Six Hotels Added to AAA Five Diamond Winners for 2006 Complete List of 88 AAA Five Diamond Hotels and 62 AAA Five Diamond Restaurants / November 2005

Five Hotels Added to AAA Five Diamond Winners for 2005; Complete list of 85 AAA Five Diamond Hotels / November 2004
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