What do you prefer - Diamonds or Stars?

You just had an amazing stay and experience at a hotel. So much so, that you feel compelled to put a review out into the virtual world for all to see. You give it 5 stars and describe your wonderful experience. The comfort, the luxury, the excellent staff and service and so on.

The next individual, at that very same hotel, was not as taken – didn’t like the loud music playing in the lobby and gives the hotel a 1 star rating because when they asked the staff to turn it down they weren’t able to comply due to brand standards. It’s the same luxury, same comfort, same staff and service but this one little detail spoiled their experience.

The truth is – while reviews are fairly standard in today’s world, they have their limitations. The biggest challenge? It is purely subjective. The star rating though, is an inescapable part of hotel life. Consumers use the star reviews from sources such as YELP, GOOGLE, TripAdvisor etc. to help them determine where to stay, where to eat, where to travel. Their purchasing decisions are strongly influenced by the judgement of others.

For hotel owners, staff – and their guests – there is ONE rating system that has been in place LONG before the internet ever became a thing. In many ways, it is more valuable and persuasive than all of the others that are out there.

The AAA Diamond Rating System is a comprehensive, objective and closely followed evaluation of travel destinations and experiences.

For you as the guest or consumer, a AAA rating with Four Diamond and Five Diamond ratings means that this hotel has consistently met and surpassed a pre-determined threshold in the luxury category. This means you are assured larger guest rooms, more plush furnishings and amenities, a high level of service and has an experiential element to the equation.

The AAA Rating system employs a network of professionally trained inspectors who use strict, published guidelines to conduct unannounced hotel and restaurant evaluations. The rating must be earned every year, making hotels maintain that consistency in quality and service.

Further, AAA retains complete financial objectivity making their third party assessments particularly trusted among travellers.

So the next time you are looking for a review make sure to look for the “Diamonds” among the stars.

Did you know that The Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel (#REAH) is the ONLY AAA 4 Diamond “Lifestyle” Hotel in Edmonton? We are also 2020 recipients of the coveted AAA Best of Housekeeping Award, which only 25% of hotels worldwide receive.