Sixteen Hotels Achieve AAA Five Diamond Status for the First Time

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. November 09, 2009

ORLANDO, FL, November 6, 2009 - AAA today announced the 2010 AAA/CAA Five Diamond Award(R) winners. Sixteen lodgings have been added for a total of 113 hotels and 52 restaurants that have achieved Five Diamond status, the travel authority's highest rating for hotels and restaurants.

The overall number of Five Diamond Award winners this year grew to 165 establishments, compared to 162 in 2009. Even in the current economic climate, there continues to be strong competition in the travel industry to achieve the highest rating and provide the most discriminating travelers with luxurious accommodations and upscale dining options. Most notably, the state of New Mexico has gained its first-ever Five Diamond Award winner, Encantado, An Auberge Resort in Santa Fe.

For 2010, no restaurants were added to the list, and seven were removed, six of which closed in the past year. AAA has noticed a decrease in the number of new restaurants opening in the past year. Lodging expansion and construction plans are often multi-year projects and do not appear to have been as immediately affected by the economic downturn, as indicated by the addition of 16 new Five Diamond lodgings.

"The past year has presented many challenges for the travel industry. To achieve and maintain the highest level of hospitality during these difficult economic times is a significant accomplishment," said Michael Petrone, director of AAA Tourism Information Development. "AAA is pleased to present these establishments with the Five Diamond Award designation in recognition of top-quality service and facilities that consistently exceed guest expectations."

Travelers will have the opportunity to interact with one of AAA's professional inspectors at AAA's Best and Biggest Virtual Travel Show on Tuesday, November 10 at 6 p.m. EST. During this session the inspector will discuss recipients of the coveted AAA Five Diamond Award, the qualifications needed to earn the award, and also what travelers can expect to find at One, Two, Three and Four Diamond restaurants and lodgings. To register for the show and learn about deals and discounts available only from AAA visit www.AAA.com/virtualshows.

Florida and Nevada top the list for new winners this year, each with three additional Five Diamond lodgings.

In Florida:

• The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale;
• The Four Seasons Resort, Palm Beach; and
• Acqualina Resort and Spa on the Beach in Sunny Isles Beach.

In Nevada:

• The Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas in Henderson,
• Encore Las Vegas and
• The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas.

Mexico gained three Five Diamond lodgings:

• The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort in Punta Mita,
• Rosewood Mayakoba and
• Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya in Playa Del Carmen.

California and New York each gained two new winners.

In California:

• The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast and
• The Grand Del Mar in San Diego.

In New York:

• The Plaza Hotel, New York City
• The Pierre New York-A Taj Hotel

Massachusetts, New Mexico and Texas each gained one additional Five Diamond lodging: - Mandarin Oriental, Boston; - Encantado, An Auberge Resort in Santa Fe, N.M.; and - The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas.

Noteworthy for 2010:

New Mexico has gained its first ever Five Diamond Award winner: Encantado, An Auberge Resort. Florida and Nevada gained more Five Diamond properties than other states, each gaining three lodgings. The American Club in Kohler, Wis., celebrates a quarter-century as a AAA Five Diamond Award Winner. The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo., The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., and Camelback Inn, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Ariz., have maintained a Five Diamond Rating for 34 consecutive years - since the hotel Diamond Ratings were first published in the AAA TourBook(R) guides. The Inn at Little Washington Dining Room in Washington, Va., is the only restaurant to maintain Five Diamond status for 22 consecutive years.