Jeff Houck

The Tampa Tribune’s food writer since 2005, Jeff Houck covers the way people live through their food. He also hosts the Table Conversations food podcast and believes that everything crunchy is good.

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The Westin Joins The Four-Diamond Club (AAA Bestows Its Annual Awards, Not Jewelry)

Posted Feb 24, 2010 by Jeff Houck

Updated Feb 24, 2010 at 05:19 PM

AAA Auto Club South today announced their Tampa Bay-area Four Diamond Award recipients for 2010.

In a press release, Marlene Adkinson of AAA said:

“Four and Five Diamond lodgings and restaurants represent the best the hospitality industry has to offer. These properties consistently deliver a high level of personal comfort and attention to every guest. To achieve and maintain these ratings is a commendable accomplishment, and we are honored to present these establishments with the Four or Five Diamond Award designation for 2010.”

On the AAA Web site, the ranking definition says:

Four Diamond
These establishments are upscale in all areas. Accommodations are progressively more refined and stylish. The physical attributes reflect an obvious enhanced level of quality throughout. The fundamental hallmarks at this level include an extensive array of amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service, and attention to detail.

The Westin Tampa Bay earned it’s first Four Diamond this year.

This year’s AAA Four Diamond recipients and the number of years receiving in parentheses:

DonCesar Beach Resort, A Loews Hotel (30 years)
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay (28 years)
Armani’s (21 years)
Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club (17 years)
Maritana Grille (16 years)
Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza (5 years)
SideBern’s (5 years)
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa (4 years)
Caretta on the Gulf (2 years)
InterContinental Tampa (2 years)
Sandpearl Resort (2 years)
The Westin Tampa Bay (1 year)

Yes, there is a five-diamond award. This year’s only Tampa Bay-area winner was in Sarasota at The Ritz-Carlton. They’ve earned five such awards.


Want to know more? Information about AAA Diamond Ratings and the complete winners’ lists are at www.AAA.com/Diamonds.