AAA announced the winners in its year 2000 edition of the Five Diamond Award winning restaurant and lodgings for the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean on November 15. These winners represent fewer than one-half percent of all restaurants and lodgings listed by AAA in its annual TourBook® guides. A total of 26 states are represented on this year's list, including the eight first-time Five Diamond Award winners, who rank with the world's finest restaurants and lodging.

NEW YORK CITY, Nov. 15, 1999 – The year 2000 lineup of AAA Five Diamond Awards is highlighted by eight new recipients, including the first Las Vegas property to be honored with this award.

The eight-month-old Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas is one of three Four Seasons establishments to receive the coveted honor for the first time.

The Four Seasons Resort Aviara in Carlsbad, Calif., the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta as well as The Peninsula New York in New York City are the other new lodgings.

The four restaurants to receive first-time honors are L'Espalier in Boston; Mary Elaine's in the Phoenician Hotel in Scottsdale, Ariz; Restaurant Daniel in New York City; and The Dining Room in the Ritz-Carlton Naples in Naples, Fla.

The 2000 winner's circle features a total of 58 lodgings and 44 restaurants. The awards will be presented tonight during ceremonies at The New York Palace here.

"The new AAA Five Diamond winners join a very select class of properties that represent the ultimate in world-class service and facilities," said Alan Borne, managing director, AAA Publishing.

"AAA salutes all 102 Five Diamond establishments that consistently deliver the very best in guest experiences," Borne said.

Five properties have maintained AAA Five Diamond status since the program's inception in 1977. They are: Marriott's Camelback Inn, Scottsdale, Ariz.; The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colo.; C Lazy U Ranch, Granby, Colo.; The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.; and Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver, Vancouver, B.C.

To be considered for AAA approval and rating, lodgings and restaurants must undergo a thorough inspection by one of AAA's 60 full-time professional evaluators. Five Diamond establishments go through a more extensive review. Of the more than 41,000 lodgings and restaurants listed in the year 2000 AAA TourBook® guides, fewer than one-half percent received the Five Diamond Award.

AAA first started listing accommodation information in its travel publications in the early 1900s. In 1937, the first field inspectors were hired to inspect hotels, motels and restaurants. In 1963, AAA began to rate all accommodations as good, very good, excellent and outstanding. The current one to five diamond rating system was introduced in 1977 during AAA's 75th anniversary.

AAA is a federation of independent clubs in North America, each with its own media relations operation. Journalists are encouraged to contact their local club on issues relating to a particular geographic area.

Jerry Cheske (for AAA)
(407) 444-8000
AAA (the American Automobile Association, Inc.)