Hotel Ratings-Why All The Confusion??
Stars & Diamonds – Why All the Confusion??
Summary:
While stars and diamonds both measure hotel quality, the big difference lies in who’s doing the rating and how it’s done.
Stars are awarded by tourism boards, hotel associations, guidebooks, and online travel sites. The process varies by country and may be based on amenities, guest reviews, and self-reported hotel information.
Diamonds, on the other hand, are awarded only by the American Automobile Association (AAA). This rating comes from an unannounced, in-person inspection where trained evaluators visit your hotel and score it against a strict set of criteria — everything from cleanliness and condition to service quality and hospitality.
A property can be 4-star online but never reach 4-diamond status simply because it doesn’t offer the level of services AAA requires. For example, a Courtyard by Marriott might earn 4-stars on an OTA for modern rooms, great reviews, and amenities, but AAA would cap it at 2 or 3 Diamonds due to missing full-service features like upscale dining, concierge, bell service, or 24-hour room service.
Why a Hotel Can Be 4-Star but Not 4-Diamond
Category4-Star Rating (Online/OTA)4-Diamond Rating (AAA)Who RatesOnline travel agencies, tourism boards, guest reviewsAAA professional inspectorsHow It’s RatedBased on amenities list, property photos, guest ratings, and sometimes self-reported hotel dataUnannounced, in-person inspection against strict service and facility criteriaFocusAmenities, décor, cleanliness, and guest satisfaction scoresLuxury service, attention to detail, and personalized guest experienceDiningMay have a casual restaurant or bistroMust have upscale dining and/or multiple high-quality food & beverage outletsGuest ServicesLimited services (no concierge, no bell service, limited room service)Full-service offerings: concierge, bell staff, valet parking, 24-hour room serviceStaff-to-Guest RatioLower ratio; focus on efficiencyHigher ratio; emphasis on attentive, personalized serviceExample PropertyCourtyard by Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn, Hyatt PlaceRitz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Fairmont
Bottom line:
Stars can sometimes inflate perception because they’re often based on amenities and guest reviews. Diamonds are service and experience driven, with in-person professional verification — making them a more rigorous and consistent measure of luxury.