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How Does AAA Give Diamonds?

Yesterday's New York Times did a bit of bean spilling on the process the AAA uses to give diamond rankings to hotels. The story followed an inspector to a final rating meeting at the Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park, which got to keep its 5 diamonds (making it one of only 93 hotels, from 32,000, to score so high).

The ratings process itself made for an interesting explanation, starting with the anonymous overnight stay, followed usually months later by a surprise meeting when the inspector introduces themselves and meets the manager. The first time, undercover, the inspector checks everything from carpets to TVs, from room service to staff attitudes; the second time, they get a proper guided tour. It all adds up to a total out of 363 points, and you need 251 points to be a 5-diamond hotel.

Interestingly, the Ritz-Carlton NY scored 324 points last year, but only 282 this time round. Either standards are falling or the inspectors are getting tougher.

[Photo: giuvax]

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