Definition

• The Auto Club awards five diamonds, which is the highest rating, to hotels that exceed physical and service judgments in every respect.
  
  

Criteria

• Some of the rated factors include exterior curb appeal and parking, furniture and decor in the public rooms, recreational facilities and amenities.
  
  

Example

• A five-diamond hotel room, for example, contains Internet access and a fax machine, two robes and slippers, and excellent-quality linens that include plush, quilted bedspreads and triple sheeting.
  
  

Contrast

• In contrast, a one-diamond property only has a touch-tone phone, adequate bedspreads and linens, and two small bars of soap.
  
  

Hotels

• For 2009, examples of five-diamond properties include the Bellagio in Las Vegas, the Mandarin Oriental in New York and the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. See the link in Resources for a complete list.