When comparing hotels, the "star" rating, of one to five stars, is a popular system and may be helpful to some travelers, but AAA has generated a system of its own---using diamonds---based on evaluations of hotel inspectors whose full-time job is hotel inspection. There are five ratings, ranging from one diamond to five. According to AAA's website, the diamond rating is "ranked the best in the industry."
One Diamond is usually the for budget accommodations, which meet the basic hotel needs of what AAA calls "comfort, cleanliness, and hospitality."
The Two Diamond hotel is a step up from the basic budget accommodation with slight increase in quality of amenities, physical layout, and design, and these lodgings are usually priced in the moderate range.
The Three Diamond rating indicates a hotel that fulfills many needs for its guests, with a design and style of its own and much higher quality of amenities than a budget or moderately priced hotel.
A Four Diamond hotel is what AAA classifies as "upscale," with very high-quality amenities and service, as well as a sophisticated style of its own.
A rating of Five Diamonds represents the highest level of quality---the definitive luxury-class hotel with top-notch amenities, service, style, attention to detail, and comfort. This is truly the highest standard an establishment can achieve.
