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Top Local Hotels and Restaurants Receive AAA Five, Four Diamonds

Two Los Angeles County Locations Receive First AAA Five Diamond Designation

Travel, Insurance & Consumer Tips
Intercontinental LA Four Diamond
The Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown is a new AAA Four Diamond property. Photo credit: Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown

Los Angeles Editors:

InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown B-roll

71Above Restaurant & Skylounge B-roll

AAA Diamond hotel inspection B-roll

San Diego Editors:

Sycuan Casino Resort B-roll

Bull & Bourbon B-roll

AAA has unveiled 119 hotels and 67 restaurants nationally that have earned the AAA Five Diamond® designation in the past 12 months, qualifying them for this year’s Five Diamond list, the upper echelon of AAA’s Diamond Program. Of the 186 hotels and restaurants, 17 are located throughout Southern California, including first-time lodging designee Hotel Bel-Air and first-time restaurant designee Providence. 

Hotels receiving a AAA Five Diamond designation undergo in-person inspections, anonymous overnight stays and finally, review by a panel of experts to ensure credibility. This exclusive group represents only 0.4% of the nearly 27,000 AAA Diamond establishments across the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.  This the broadest coverage geographically and by number of properties designated compared to other review programs. 

States with the most Five Diamond establishments include:

California (29) – 17 hotels/12 restaurants;

New York (23) – 11 hotels/12 restaurants;

Quintana Roo, Mexico (18) – 12 hotels/6 restaurants;

Florida (12) – 10 hotels/2 restaurants; and

Nevada (11) – 6 hotels/5 restaurants. 

The 2020 Diamonds announcement comes on the heels of the unveiling of the new AAA Diamond Program, which included rebranding the Diamonds from ratings to designations, and updating inspection criteria. More diamonds indicate more elaborate surroundings and attention from service staff.

“The AAA Five Diamond designation reflects the hotels that offer world-class luxury, amenities and indulgence and restaurants that offer leading-edge cuisine and preparation with extraordinary guest service,” said the Auto Club’s Approved Accommodations Supervisor Patricia Marenco.  “The Auto Club congratulates Southern California’s AAA Five Diamond establishments which are the ‘best of the best’ of the AAA Diamond Program.”

H0DG7_107199223_HBA_1BDR_BELAIRSUITE_PATIO_389_030_v2_RGB_HR
The Hotel Bel-Air is a new recipient of the AAA Five Diamond designation. Photo courtesy of the Dorchester Collection

Southern California AAA Five Diamond-designated hotels:

Location

Property

Year

Beverly Hills

The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows  

2008

 

The Peninsula Beverly Hills

1993

Carlsbad

Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa

1999

Dana Point

Monarch Beach Resort

2007

 

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel            

1986

La Jolla

The Lodge at Torrey Pines

2002

Laguna Beach

Montage Laguna Beach

2012

Los Angeles

Hotel Bel-Air

2019

Montecito

Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara

2005

Newport Beach

The Resort at Pelican Hill (Newport Coast)

2009

Ojai

Ojai Valley Inn

2006

Rancho Santa Fe

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa 

2014

San Diego

Fairmont Grand Del Mar

2009

Westlake Village

Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village

2008

 

 

 

Southern California AAA Five Diamond restaurants with year first designated:

Location

 

Year

Los Angeles

 

 

Providence

 

2019

Beverly Hills

 

 

The Belvedere

 

1995

San Diego

 

 

Addison

 

2008

AAA Four Diamonds in Southern California Also Announced by the Auto Club

Southern California is also home to 146 Four Diamond properties - 105 hotels and 41 restaurants. Six hotels received their first AAA Four Diamond: The Inn at Death Valley, Sycuan Casino Resort (El Cajon), Pasea Hotel & Spa (Huntington Beach), Los Angeles InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, The Huntley Santa Monica Beach and InterContinental San Diego.

Four restaurants received their first AAA Four Diamond designation: 71Above Restaurant & Skylounge (Los Angeles), Marché Moderne (Newport Beach), MARKET Restaurant + Bar (Del Mar), and Bull and Bourbon Steakhouse (El Cajon).

There were 125 AAA Four Diamond hotels and 62 Four Diamond restaurants added to the 2020 list for a total of 2,401 establishments (1,718 hotels and 683 restaurants) throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Those designated as a Four Diamond represent just 4.2 percent of the nearly 60,000 AAA Diamond hotels and restaurants. 

States/provinces with the greatest number of Four Diamond establishments:

California (76);

New York (59);

Florida (50);

Ontario, Canada (47); and

Texas (32).

Travelers can find Diamond establishments and AAA Inspector insight in AAA trip planning products: the  AAA Mobile® app, the TripTik® Travel Planner and Travel Guides on AAA.com and AAA TourBook® guides available at AAA/CAA offices.

AAA Inspectors bring prior industry experience to the association to give AAA members and the public effective, consistent evaluations to select hotels and restaurants that meet their travel desires and needs.

For more information about the AAA Diamond Program and complete lists of AAA Four and Five Diamond hotels, visit AAA.com/Diamonds. AAA started listing accommodation information in its travel publications in the early 1900s. AAA has been doing field inspections of lodgings since 1937. 

The coveted AAA Four Diamond is presented to hotel general managers and executive chefs to recognize award-winning properties inspected by AAA and the Auto Club, the nation’s largest AAA affiliate. To achieve AAA Four Diamonds, Inspectors review exterior, grounds and public areas, guest rooms, ambiance and amenities, housekeeping and maintenance and guest services.

AAA Four Diamond hotels throughout Southern California and first-year designation:

Location

Property

Year

Kern County

 

 

Bakersfield

The Padre Hotel

2015

Inyo County

 

 

Death Valley

The Inn at Death Valley

2019

Los Angeles County

 

 

Beverly Hills

Beverly Wilshire A Four Seasons Hotel

1993

 

Montage Beverly Hills

2014

 

SLS Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills

2009

 

Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills

2017

 

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

2018

Burbank

Hotel Amarano Burbank

2011

Hollywood

Loews Hollywood Hotel

2008

 

W Hollywood

2010

Los Angeles

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles At Beverly Hills

2011

Long Beach

Hyatt Regency Long Beach

2013

 

InterContinental Los Angeles Century City

1988

 

InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown

2019

 

Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel

2015

 

JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live

2011

 

Mr. C Beverly Hills

2012

 

Omni Los Angeles Hotel At California Plaza

2003

 

Sofitel Los Angeles At Beverly Hills

1993

 

The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles

2011

 

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites

2013

Manhattan Beach

westdrift Manhattan Beach, Autograph Collection

2018

Marina Del Rey

The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey

2015

Rancho Palos Verdes

Terranea Resort

2010

San Gabriel

Hilton Los Angeles/San Gabriel

2011

 

The Sheraton Los Angeles San Gabriel

2018

Santa Monica

JW Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot

2002

 

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

1989

 

The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows

2002

 

The Huntley Santa Monica Beach

2019

 

Viceroy Santa Monica

2017

Universal City

Sheraton Universal Hotel, At Universal Studios

2018

 

Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City

2007

West Hollywood

Kimpton La Peer Hotel

2018

 

Sunset Marquis

2007

 

The London West Hollywood At Beverly Hills

2008

Orange County

 

 

Anaheim

Disneyland® Hotel

2011

 

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

2001

Costa Mesa

Avenue Of The Arts Costa Mesa, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel

2013

Dana Point

Blue Lantern Inn

1991

 

Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa

2004

Huntington Beach

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa

2003

 

Pasea Hotel & Spa

2019

 

The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel

1991

Laguna Beach

Surf & Sand Resort

1991

 

The Ranch At Laguna Beach

2018

Newport Beach

Balboa Bay Resort

2004

 

Fashion Island Hotel

2014

 

Lido House, Autograph Collection

2018

 

Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel

2007

Riverside County

 

 

Idyllwild

The Grand Idyllwild Lodge

2017

Indian Wells

Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa

1987

 

Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa, Curio Collection By Hilton

2008

 

Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa

2003

La Quinta

La Quinta Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

2014

Palm Desert

Hotel Paseo, Autograph Collection

2018

 

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa

1987

Palm Springs

Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs

2018

 

The Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn

1997

Rancho Mirage

Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa-Rancho Mirage

2009

 

The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage

2014

 

The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa

2009

Riverside

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa

2010

Temecula

Pechanga Resort Casino

2002

 

Ponte Vineyard Inn

2012

San Bernardino County

 

Lake Arrowhead

Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa

2010

San Diego County

 

 

Alpine

Viejas Casino & Resort

2013

 

Willows Hotel & Spa

2018

Carlsbad

Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach, A Hilton Resort & Spa

2013

Coronado

Hotel Del Coronado, Curio Collection By Hilton

2005

 

Loews Coronado Bay Resort

1992

Del Mar

L'Auberge Del Mar

2002

El Cajon

Sycuan Casino Resort

2019

La Jolla

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa

2005

 

Grand Colonial

2008

 

Hyatt Regency La Jolla At Aventine

1990

Pala

Pala Casino Spa and Resort

2004

Rancho Bernardo

Rancho Bernardo Inn

1977

San Diego

Andaz San Diego

2013

 

Hilton San Diego Bayfront

2011

 

InterContinental San Diego

2019

 

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

2013

 

Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

1984

 

Omni San Diego Hotel

2005

 

Pacific Terrace Hotel

2007

 

THE US GRANT, A Luxury Collection Hotel, San Diego

2007

 

The Westgate Hotel

2007

 

The Westin San Diego

1994

 

The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

2012

San Luis Obispo County

 

Paso Robles

Allegretto Vineyard Resort

2017

 

La Bellasera Hotel & Suites

2011

Pismo Beach

Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa

2009

Santa Barbara County

 

Los Olivos

Fess Parker Wine Country Inn

2012

Santa Barbara

Harbor View Inn

1997

 

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

2006

 

Santa Barbara Inn

2017

 

Simpson House Inn

2013

 

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

2015

Santa Ynez

Chumash Casino Resort & Spa

2004

 

Santa Ynez Inn

2002

Solvang

Hotel Corque

2011

 

The Ballard Inn

1993

Summerland

Inn On Summer Hill

1990

Ventura County

 

 

Oxnard

Embassy Suites By Hilton Mandalay Beach Resort

2014

Westlake Village

Westlake Village Inn

2011

71AboveFourDiamond
71Above Restaurant & Skylounge in Los Angeles is a new recipient of the AAA Four Diamond designation. Photo credit: AAA

Southern California AAA Four Diamond restaurants and year first designated:

Location

Name

Year

Los Angeles County Restaurants

 

Beverly Hills

Cut by Wolfgang Puck

2010

 

Spago Beverly Hills

2004

 

The Blvd

2011

Calabasas

Saddle Peak Lodge

1997

Los Angeles

Culina Modern Italian

1995

 

Patina

1991

 

71Above Restaurant & Skylounge

2019

Malibu

Nobu Malibu

2016

Pasadena

The Raymond Restaurant

2005

Orange County Restaurants

 

Anaheim

Napa Rose

2010

Dana Point

Raya

2012

Fullerton

The Cellar

1990

Laguna Beach

Studio

2008

Newport Beach

Marché Moderne

2019

Riverside County Restaurants

 

Cabazon

Cielo

2011

Palm Springs

Le Vallauris

1993

Rancho Mirage

Wally's Desert Turtle

1993

 

The Steakhouse

2018

Riverside

Duane's Prime Steaks & Seafood

1995

Temecula

Great Oak Steakhouse

2012

San Diego County Restaurants

 

Alpine

The Grove Steakhouse

2015

Carlsbad

Argyle Steakhouse

2012

 

Vivace

1999

Del Mar

MARKET Restaurant + Bar

2019

El Cajon

Bull and Bourbon Steakhouse

2019

La Jolla

AR Valentien

2004

 

Donovan's Steak & Chop House

2010

 

George's At the Cove

2000

 

The Marine Room

2013

Rancho Bernardo

Avant

2017

Rancho Santa Fe

Mille Fleurs

1991

 

Veladora

2017

San Diego

Cowboy Star Restaurant and Butcher Shop

2017

 

Grant Grill

2007

 

Mister A's (Bertrand’s at Mr. A’s)

1994

Santa Barbara County Restaurants

 

Santa Barbara

Angel Oak

2017

 

Bouchon

2014

Santa Ynez

Willows

2005

Solvang

The Gathering Table

2005

Ventura County Restaurants

 

Ojai

Olivella

2015

Westlake Village

ONYX Restaurant

2016

 

CST 1016202-80 Copyright © Automobile Club of Southern California. All Rights Reserved.
The Automobile Club of Southern California is a member club affiliated with the American Automobile Association (AAA) national federation and serves members in the following California counties: Inyo, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare, and Ventura.