There are so many best-of-the-best lists in travel that it can be hard to really know what criteria hotels and travel companies are being judged on or by who.
But there are two lists I still look for every year, the Five Diamond from AAA and the Five Star Awards from Forbes.
Call me old-fashioned, but in era with so many changes of what constitutes luxury, the exacting standards these institutions use to rank properties after multiple anonymous inspections pretty much guarantee a flawless visit with outstanding service and true luxe facilities and amenities across the board.
Yes, there's much discussion about whether these two unofficially official ranking services are still relevant in today's evolving and highly experiential-based climate of luxury. After all, when hyperlocal and authentic is key, those exacting standards, particularly when it comes to infrastructure, might not be the most important. But I have to say, anytime I stay at one of these top AAA- or Forbes-ranked properties, I am reminded of why so few hotels earn their seals.
AAA just released its list of Five Diamond Award winners for 2017, and Forbes generally follows in early- to mid-February.
This year's Five Diamond list includes six newcomers to the hotel group: the recently renovated Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Hawaii; The St. Regis New York; Spice Island Beach Resort in St. George's, Grenada; the recently renovated Four Seasons in Mexico City; Ritz-Carlton's Reserve property in Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico; and The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Va.
Also of note: The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo., maintained its Five Diamond Rating for the 41st year, the only property to earn the ranking every year since the rankings began. It has also held the top Forbes ranking since it began.
Spice Island is the first property in Grenada to make either the AAA or Forbes top-ranking level.
"Five Diamond establishments represent the upper echelon of hospitality, redefining personalized service, using creativity to enhance guest comfort and providing memorable experiences," said Michael Petrone, director, AAA Inspections and Diamond Ratings. "Attaining the Five Diamond rating is an impressive accomplishment and is a point of great pride for these top hotels and restaurants."
This year's Five Diamond list includes 120 hotels and 63 restaurants, or just 0.3% of the 59,000 hotels and restaurants it ranks. That's up from 118 hotels that made the list in 2016.