Travelers have 59,000 AAA Diamond-rated properties to choose from.
So how do they find the one they want?
AAA has unveiled a new "Best Of" category to highlight the cream of the crop at the One-, Two- and Three-Diamond levels. These properties and restaurants have scored within the top 20 percent of their category and make up just seven percent of AAA Diamond rated hotels and dining establishments.
"When travelers are choosing a Diamond Rated hotel or restaurant, they should think of each additional Diamond as an indicator of more extensive services offered. AAA doesn't approve sub-standard properties, which separates our ratings from the rest," said Michael Petrone, director, AAA Inspections and Diamond Ratings.
"Whether an establishment offers a simple environment or extensive luxury, it provides members with a good choice for the type of experience provided," Petrone added.
The AAA Diamond-rated establishments undergo rigorous testing. Most properties earn the one-, two- or three-diamond level, meaning they have met AAA's standards for cleanliness, comfort and hospitality.
Those who are at the top of their individual rating levels will now be recognized for their efforts in the new "Best Of" category.
"Every AAA Diamond Rated establishment must consistently meet and exceed the expectations of the most discriminating traveler-the AAA inspector," continued Petrone. "It's a great accomplishment for any property to be listed as AAA Inspected & Approved. Those at the One-, Two- and Three-Diamond levels are the most common and frequently visited by AAA members. This new Best Of designation highlights those at the top of their rating level."
The new category helps travelers find the best accommodation at any level they require.
For example, travelers to Newfoundland and Labrador will fall in love with the beautiful Mountain Waters Resort. The cozy establishment, which is also a campground, offers cabin accommodations in a remote, rustic locale that primarily attracts outdoor lovers and sports fishermen.
Mountain Waters Resort is at the top of the one-star rating for providing superior comfort and accommodation in such a remote location.
At the top of the Two-Diamond level is the Cowboy Village Resort in Jackson, Wyoming. Rustic studio and one-bedroom cabins are available, and visitors have access to an upscale lobby in the main building that provides a floor-to-ceiling fireplace for ultimate relaxation.
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The Inn at Cape Cod is one of the properties at the top of the Three-Diamond category. Its colonial-style mansion offers guests rooms with rich furnishings, pillow-top mattresses, soft triple sheeting and high-end bath amenities in an inspiring setting on grounds that are a part of a 100-acre natural reserve full of large, stately trees.
AAA also highlights its restaurants in the new Best Of category.
One establishment earning high marks in the One-Diamond category is Dallas' Rodeo Goat. According to the AAA inspector, this eatery is "for diners who have ever thought their burger needed grilled peaches, a fried egg or blackberry compote on top."
In the Two-Diamond category, there is Tupelo Honey Café in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The restaurant features Low Country cuisine, including favorites such as fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits.
The Boiler Room in Omaha, Nebraska, gets top ratings from inspectors in the AAA Three-Diamond category. The menu is constantly updated and features local, farm-to-table ingredients and pre-Prohibition-era cocktails.
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