Chicago Remains Top Destination for AAA Five Diamond Dining

Chicago also has nine total Five Diamond establishments, including two hotels, making Illinois fifth among the states with the most Five Diamond establishments.

"All Five Diamond establishments offer exemplary surroundings and service," said Brad Roeber, regional president, AAA Chicago. "Chicago's nine Five Diamond establishments reflect the characteristics of ultimate luxury and sophistication."

For 2010, AAA has awarded 113 hotels and 52 restaurants with the coveted Five Diamond designation, the travel authority's highest rating for hotels and restaurants.

Chicago's 2010 Five Diamond rated restaurants: Alinea (4 years), Arun’s (8 years), Avenues (in The Peninsula) (4 years), Charlie Trotter’s (16 years), Everest (14 years), Seasons Restaurant (in the Four Seasons Hotel) (10 years), Tru (10 years).

Chicago's 2010 Five Diamond rated hotels: The Four Seasons (20 years) and The Peninsula (8 years).

These establishments will be honored at a luncheon in the spring to celebrate their 2010 Five Diamond rating.

The prestigious AAA Five Diamond rating helps establish Chicago as a premier tourist destination as just 0.28 percent of 58,000 establishments evaluated this year by AAA attained the Five Diamond designation. To become AAA Diamond rated, hotels and restaurants undergo a thorough inspection by one of AAA's 65 full-time, highly trained professional evaluators. Five Diamond establishments complete a more extensive review that includes a series of inspections and final committee review.

AAA first started listing accommodation information in its travel publications in the early 1900s. In 1937, the first field inspectors were hired to inspect hotels, motels and restaurants. In 1963, AAA began to rate all accommodations as good, very good, excellent or outstanding. The Diamond rating process, introduced in 1977 for hotels and 1989 for restaurants, continues to be recognized as one of the most trusted rating process for North American travelers.

AAA Chicago has represented roadway interests for motorists and pedestrians and serves as a leading advocate for various traffic safety and travel-related issues for more than a century.