A hotel's price and location are two factors that can influence your choice for vacation stay. You can also quickly judge a hotel's quality by relying on the diamond rating system developed by the Auto Club.
The Auto Club awards five diamonds, which is the highest rating, to hotels that exceed physical and service judgments in every respect.
Some of the rated factors include exterior curb appeal and parking, furniture and decor in the public rooms, recreational facilities and amenities.
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.
In contrast, a one-diamond property only has a touch-tone phone, adequate bedspreads and linens, and two small bars of soap.
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.
