AAA’s professionally trained inspectors use published guidelines to evaluate and rate lodgings and restaurants as a service to members. AAA rates more properties than any other rating entity — with a current inventory of more than 59,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated lodgings and restaurants. AAA’s Diamond Rating System is the only rating system that covers the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean and is one of only two that conduct physical, on-site evaluations.

What It Means to Be AAA Approved and Diamond Rated

To be eligible for evaluation, establishments meet basic requirements for cleanliness, comfort and security (lodgings) or cleanliness, food preparation and service (restaurants). Evaluations are unannounced to ensure that AAA’s professional inspectors experience a hotel or restaurant just as a guest would.

Establishments that demonstrate these requirements during an unannounced inspection are designated as AAA/CAA Approved. Every hotel or restaurant that achieves the AAA Approved designation offers an acceptable level of quality for members; AAA does not distinguish any degrees of quality.

After establishments are designated as AAA/CAA Approved, inspectors assign a rating of One to Five Diamonds based on the extensiveness of services, facilities and amenities typical of each rating level. The Diamond Ratings guide members in selecting establishments appropriately matched to their needs and expectations.