The AAA auto club has awarded 10 hotels and two restaurants in Maryland with its AAA Four Diamond rating for the year 2010. For the first time, the Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel is the latest area hotel to be included among the club's top rated hotels.
Announced last Thursday at the Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit in Ocean City, the designation is given to restaurants and lodgings that must undergo a thorough inspection by one of AAA's 65 full-time, trained professional evaluators. These evaluators assess the cleanliness, ambiance, amenities, and service of some 60,000 hotels and restaurants throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
"AAA Four Diamond winners know the language of customer satisfaction as they consistently deliver premier experiences, complete with superior personal service, first-class amenities and impressive surroundings," says Ragina C. Averella, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.
"Only establishments that meet the extensive quality criteria required to become AAA Approved receive a AAA Diamond rating. The two components work in sync � AAA Approved offers the stamp of quality and AAA Diamond ratings show where establishments fit in the spectrum from basic to luxury," Averella adds.
Also earning a spot on the 2010 list were the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, which received the top rating for the eighth consecutive year, the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on the Potomac, National Harbor and Hilton Suites Ocean City Oceanfront, both making the list for the second straight time; the Hyatt Regency Baltimore, for the 29th year in a row; Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina, Cambridge, which made the grade for the seventh year; the InterContinental Harbor Court Baltimore for the 23rd time; Loews Annapolis Hotel for the fourth straight year; Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, earning its 22nd consecutive mention and Cumberland's Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort for the ninth year.
Baltimore's Charleston topped the list of Four Diamond restaurants making its seventh consecutive appearance on the list. Other area restaurants included Sherwood's Landing in St. Michaels.
"The AAA Diamond Awards represent the quality of Maryland's hospitality industry, and I could not be more proud of today's recipients," says Gov. Martin O'Malley. "In these historically challenging economic times, it's important that we maintain the highest standards of customer satisfaction, particularly in our tourism and hospitality sectors. While there is still much work to be done before our economic recovery transforms into prosperity, top quality hotels and restaurants are an essential ingredient to any economic turnaround."
"We are delighted that the AAA Four Diamond awards were presented to the 2010 winners at the Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit," says Mary Jo McCulloch, President of the Maryland Tourism Council. "The winners set the standard for the rest of the industry to follow. It is fitting that they were recognized in front of their peers in the hospitality and tourism industry at Maryland tourism's premier event. It is truly an honor for everyone involved."
Establishments and their ratings will be listed in the 2010 AAA TourBook® guides, in print, and on AAA's website, www.AAA.com. And in response to growing interest in green hotels, starting in 2010, AAA will highlight AAA Approved lodgings that have been eco-certified through a well-established government or private program.
"This recognition is especially important as many businesses, including hotels and restaurants strive to maintain their status of excellence, particularly during these challenging financial times. In many cases, most of us are often doing just as much or even more with fewer resources," Averella continues.
The current AAA Diamond Ratings® system was introduced in 1977 for hotels and 1989 for restaurants. It continues to be recognized as the most trusted rating process for North American restaurants and lodgings.
Source: AAA, automotive club
Writer: Walaika Haskins