VIRINIA BEACH, Va. (January 27, 2017) – AAA has unveiled 15 restaurants and 22 hotels in Virginia that have earned the Five or Four Diamond Rating for this year. The Commonwealth has two new additions that have join the prestigious ranks in the past 12 months.
Following rigorous evaluations from AAA’s professional inspectors, the following establishment was added as first-time Five Diamond honoree.
The Jefferson Hotel – Richmond, Virginia
AAA Inspector Notes: This ornate 1895 Beaux-Arts hotel is a historic landmark with striking architectural details, including a Tiffany stained-glass rotunda, a marble statue of Thomas Jefferson and a grand staircase. A small museum tells of the AAA Five Diamond property's storied past and dispels many of the rumors and historic tales associated with the hotel.
The following restaurant was added to the Four Diamond List for this year:
Shagbark Restaurant – Richmond, Virginia
AAA Inspector Notes: Drawing inspiration—and décor—from the shagbark tree, this eatery branches out to area purveyors and farmers, bringing diners an immersive experience with tastes cultivated by the local community. Menu items change with the seasons and are inspired by the South. Slurp back raw oysters, relish hand-crafted pastas or opt for locally-sourced proteins. Meals are served at casually elegant tables in the dining room, on the patio or at the rustic communal table crafted from a tree trunk.
In addition, the following establishments have continued to receive the treasured Five Diamond Rating:
The Inn at Little Washington since 1989
The Inn at Little Washington Dining Room since 1988
Virginia lodgings and restaurants receiving the prestigious AAA/CAA Four Diamond Rating, and the year they were first recognized, include the following:
Restaurants:
Restaurant Eve (2012) Alexandria
The Old Mill Room (1987) Charlottesville
2941 Restaurant (2004) Falls Church
L’Auberge Chez Francois &
Jacques’ Brasserie (1992) Great Falls
Fossett’s (2015) Keswick
Harrimans (2015) Middleburg
Lemaire (2010) Richmond
Salacia (2006) Virginia Beach
Terrapin (2008) Virginia Beach
Zoe’s (2015) Virginia Beach
L’Auberge Provencale (1991) White Post
Fat Canary (2004) Williamsburg
The Regency Dining Room (2002) Williamsburg
Lodges:
The Martha Washington Inn & Spa (1998) Abingdon
The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City (1990) Arlington
Boar’s Head (2001) Charlottesville
The Oaks Victorian Inn (1995) Christiansburg
Wyndham Virginia Crossings Hotel &
Conference Center (2004) Glen Allen
The Omni Homestead Resort (2004) Hot Springs
The Tides Inn (2004) Irvington
Keswick Hall and Golf Club (2001) Keswick
Landsdowne Resort & Spa (1991) Leesburg
Salamander Resort & Spa (2015) Middleburg
Page House Bed & Breakfast (1995) Norfolk
Hyatt Regency Reston(1991) Reston
Hilton Richmond Hotel & Richmond
Spa/Short Pump(2010)
The Westin Richmond(2009) Richmond
Hilton McLean Tysons Corner(2012) Tysons Corner
The Ritz Carlton, Tysons Corner(1992) Tysons Corner
Middleton Inn(1998) Washington
Kingsmill Resort & Spa (1990) Williamsburg
Liberty Rose Bed & Breakfast (1994) Williamsburg
Williamsburg Inn (2002) Williamsburg
“Five Diamond establishments represent the highest 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.”
“These leading edge properties are well-positioned to meet the needs of discerning travelers. Their noted attributes include contemporary design trends and the highest quality food and amenities. Personalized, attentive service is foremost, delivered in ways that offer guests inspiring and memorable local experiences,” said Petrone.
Candidates for the Five Diamond Rating undergo multiple unannounced evaluations and a final decision by a panel of experts. Using guidelines weighted by member priorities, inspectors meticulously evaluate guest services and physical attributes to assess the level of competence, refinement and hospitality and assign a corresponding rating of One to Five Diamonds.
For more information about Diamond Ratings and the complete lists of Four and Five Diamond hotels and restaurants, visit AAA.com/DiamondAwards.
About AAA Inspections
For more than 80 years, AAA has used professional inspectors to conduct in-person property evaluations. AAA offers the only rating system using comprehensive, on-site professional hotel and restaurant evaluations guided by member priorities. With a far greater inventory than any other rating entity, AAA’s rating system covers the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Travelers can find Diamond Rated establishments and inspector insight in AAA’s trip planning products: the AAA Mobile app, the online TripTik Travel Planner mapping and routing tool, searchable online AAA Travel Guides and AAA TourBook guides available to members at AAA offices.
As part of North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA Tidewater Virginia provides its more than 330,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding AAA Tidewater Virginia has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. For more information, visit AAA.com and follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/AAATidewaterVA or on Facebook at facebook.com/AAATidewaterVirginia