VIDEO: Florida Has Third-Most AAA Five Diamond Hotels in the United States

By  //  February 13, 2019

Five Diamond hotels are in the top 0.4 percent

ABOVE VIDEO: The closest Five Diamond Hotel to Brevard County is the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista. 

AAA — Just in time for Valentine’s Day, AAA unveiled its annual list of top-rated hotels. Ten Florida properties earned AAA’s greatest honor, the Five Diamond Award. 

The only states with more Five Diamond hotels were New York (11) and California (16).

Click here to view the Five Diamond Hotel List.

“Florida truly has something for everyone, and that includes some of the best hotels and resorts in the world,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group.

“When Florida residents and visitors want the ultimate combination of luxury, beauty, and elegance, they can find it at Four and Five Diamond properties.”

Only 121 hotels throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean qualified for the 2019 Five Diamond Award list.

Five Diamond hotels represent just 0.4 percent of the more than 27,000 AAA Inspected and Approved Diamond Rated hotels, during the past year.

To be AAA Approved, properties must undergo a rigorous evaluation that includes in-person inspections, anonymous overnight stays and, finally, review by a panel of experts as an additional step to ensure credibility.

ABOVE VIDEO: Wondering what is takes to be a AAA hotel inspector? Find out as you follow one on an unannounced evaluation, from the parking lot and outside pool area to check-in, guest rooms and the fitness center. Learn why members are the reason for AAA inspectors and how they influence the way ratings are determined.

Five Diamond Hotels in Florida
**The year represents the first year the property received a current, consecutively maintained Diamond Rating**

  • St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort — Bal Harbour (2012)
  • The Ritz-Carlton — Amelia Island (2012)
  • The Ritz-Carlton — Fort Lauderdale (2009)
  • Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort — Lake Buena Vista (2014)
  • Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa — Manalapan (2008)
  • The Ritz-Carlton — Naples (1987)
  • Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach — Palm Beach (2009)
  • The Breakers — Palm Beach (1996)
  • Ponte Vedra Inn & Club — Ponte Vedra Beach (2002)
  • Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach — Sunny Isles Beach (2009)

Hotels that are awarded a AAA Five Diamond rating have extraordinary physical qualities, extensive amenities and impeccable standards of excellence in delivering a highly personalized experience.

Four Diamond Hotels in Florida

Florida ranks second among states with the most Four Diamond Rated hotels. The Top Three states are California (177), Florida (146), and Texas (103).

Click here to view The Four Diamond Hotel List

This year, there are 1,722 Four Diamond hotels; 146 are in Florida. Out of 113 properties newly added to the Four Diamond list, seven are in Florida.

Four Diamond Rated properties represent 6.3 percent of AAA Inspected & Approved hotels. They must be refined and stylish with upscale physical attributes, extensive amenities and a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail.

New to the 2019 AAA Four Diamond List in Florida:

ABOVE VIDEO: Hear what the general manager of this new addition to the Hard Rock family has to say about the rarity of Four Diamond beachside properties in Daytona Beach and what it means to have AAA’s backing.

  • Hotel Colonnade Coral Gables, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel — Coral Gables
  • Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach — Daytona Beach
  • Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa — Jensen Beach
  • Copper Creek Villas and Cabins — Lake Buena Vista
  • Walt Disney World Dolphin — Lake Buena Vista
  • Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection — Miami Beach
  • The Collector Inn — St. Augustine
HOT TICKET! Travis Tritt Set to Perform March 9 During Space Coast Seafood & Music FestivalRelated Story:
HOT TICKET! Travis Tritt Set to Perform March 9 During Space Coast Seafood & Music Festival

Finding Diamond Rated Properties

AAA recently updated its hotel Approval Requirements & Diamond Rating Guidelines, which reflect the importance of connective technologies such as availability of in-room tablets, mobile apps, interactive kiosks, mobile key technology and digital messaging services.

Travelers can find Diamond Rated establishments and inspector insight in AAA’s trip planning products: the AAA Mobile app, the online AAA Travel Guides, and Travel Planner and the AAA TourBook guides available to members at AAA offices.

AAA members and non-members can also search AAA Diamond Rated properties at AAA.com/TravelGuides/Hotels.

Tracking Technology

AAA recently updated its hotel Approval Requirements & Diamond Rating Guidelines, which reflect the importance of connective technologies such as availability of in-room tablets, mobile apps, interactive kiosks, mobile key technology and digital messaging services.

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS