BEVERLY HILLS—The American Automobile Association (AAA) has awarded the prestigious Five Diamond Award to three Beverly Hills Hotels and one Beverly Hills restaurant. Additionally, four other Beverly Hills hotels and restaurants received four diamonds.

The hotels that received the Five Diamond Award were L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, built in 2001; The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows, established in 2008; and The Peninsula Beverly Hills, which was founded in 1991.

The Peninsula’s “The Belvedere” restaurant, which was created two years after establishment of the acclaimed hotel, earned Beverly Hills’ sole Five Diamond Award for restaurants.

The Peninsula Hotel was the only one to receive five diamonds for both its hotel and restaurant. Discussing that feat with Canyon News, Offer Nissenbaum, Managing Director of The Peninsula Beverly Hills said, “We continue to be honored by this recognition, which reflects the commitment of our staff to provide every guest with exceptional service and hospitality. I am incredibly proud of their continued commitment to excellence, reflected in The Peninsula Beverly Hills retaining the AAA Five-Diamond distinction for 23 consecutive years.”

The Four Diamond Award recipients amongst the Beverly Hills hotels include: the Beverly Wilshire A Four Seasons Hotel built in 1993; the Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel founded last year; Montage Beverly Hills, initially opened in 2008; and the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills, which was built in 2009.

The Beverly Hills restaurants, which received four stars were Bouchon (2011), Cut by Wolfgang Puck (2010), Spago Beverly Hills (2004), and The Blvd (2011).

“Each year AAA reviews more than 28,000 hotels including resorts, historic inns, B&Bs and more. Just 0.4 percent make the AAA Five Diamond list,” according to a AAA statement. And regarding restaurants, just 0.2 percent of the nearly 30,000 reviewed restaurants earn five diamonds, according to the same source.

Hotels are rewarded four and five diamonds for meeting published guidelines for exceptional performance with regards to facilities, amenities, and service. There are various criteria, which separate a Five Diamond Award from a Four Diamond Award.

A four-diamond hotel is described as “Refined and stylish with upscale physical attributes that reflect enhanced quality throughout. Fundamental hallmarks include extensive amenities and a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail.”

On the other hand, in order to receive five diamonds, a hotel must exemplify “The ultimate in luxury and sophistication. Extraordinary physical attributes, meticulous personalized service, extensive amenities and impeccable standards of excellence.”

For a restaurant to earn four stars, AAA explains what they are looking for:

“A Four Diamond restaurant is geared to individuals in search of a distinctive fine-dining experience. Often orchestrated by an executive chef and an accomplished staff, menus reflect a high degree of creativity and complexity, using imaginative presentations to enhance high quality, market-fresh ingredients. The equally proficient service staff demonstrates a strong desire to meet or exceed guest expectations. A wine steward is typically available to provide menu-specific knowledge on wine selection. The ambiance is highly refined, comfortable and well- coordinated, incorporating quality materials and a variety of upscale design enhancements to give a first-class impression.”

The more prestigious Five-Diamond restaurant accolade is awarded to eateries in which, as AAA explains, “Menus are cutting edge, using only the finest ingredients available. Food is prepared in a manner that is highly imaginative and unique. The combination of technique and ingredients is extraordinary, reflecting the impeccable artistry and awareness of highly-acclaimed chefs. A maître d’ leads an expert service staff that exceeds guest expectations by attending to every detail in an effortless and unobtrusive manner.”