How to Pick the Best Hotel for Your Trip
Updated: April 19, 2023
Written by
AAA Travel Editors
The Difference Between Diamonds and Stars
While it can be useful to see what other travelers are saying about a property, user reviews are subjective and may be biased. Diamond designations are determined by trained professionals who inspect more than 58,000 properties across North America every year. Diamond-designated properties must meet AAA standards for cleanliness, condition and safety at every level, so there are no bad choices. But every hotel isn’t the right choice for every trip or every traveler. AAA’s expert inspectors assign Diamonds levels based on the experience and amenities offered, giving you guidance at a glance so you can choose the right hotel for your travel needs and budget.
Which Diamond Level Is Right for You?
There are four levels of AAA Diamond designations covering a range of amenities:
• Approved properties meet AAA guidelines based on the latest industry standards and member expectations.
• Three Diamonds indicate a more comprehensive level of amenities, style and comfort.
• Diamonds reflect an upscale experience with an extra level of service.
• Five Diamonds indicate world-class luxury and indulgence.
When planning your trip, choose a Diamond level to fit your travel occasion. If you’re on a quick business trip and simply need a comfortable place to stay overnight, there’s no need to spend extra for amenities you won’t have time to enjoy. If you’re planning a family vacation, choose a Diamond level that fits your budget yet offers the features you need. If you’re traveling for a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, you’ll want to consider only properties that offer the level of amenities you desire for a memorable trip.
How to Find the Best Hotel for Your Trip
To find the right Diamond-designated hotel for your trip, visit the and enter your destination and travel dates. Filter your search by checking the Diamond designations that best suit your needs. (Hover over the Diamond logos for a reminder of what each level offers.) You can even choose to view only properties with an ECO Friendly designation. If you have a favorite hotel brand, you can filter for that, too.Click on any hotel in your search results for a detailed listing including photos, a AAA inspector’s description of the hotel’s unique features, a complete list of amenities, AAA discount and more. You can book your room from there, or continue your search.If location is a key factor in your decision, you can also search for hotels on AAA’s . Enter the name of your destination and select the hotel icon. Expand the menu on the left and select “Options” to filter by Diamond level. This allows you to see hotels that suit your needs in relation to attractions you plan to visit. Click on the icons and you’ll see the same information that appears in the AAA Hotel Search, with the same convenient booking button.You can also search for hotels in . The new digital version of AAA’s printed TourBook guides is available on smartphone, tablet or desktop so you can plan on the go and even download a copy to view offline. Select the TourBook for your destination on the Digital Tourbooks home page and click on the city name in the table of contents. This will take you directly to the travel information and hotel listings for that city. Hotel listings include Diamond designations, descriptions and amenities, convenient “Book Now” buttons that will take you to the AAA website for more details and booking with AAA rates.
Start Your Next Vacation with AAA
AAA Travel provides peace of mind when you travel — before, during and after your vacation! Members enjoy the advantages of membership including exclusive benefits, map routing, savings with the AAA Discounts & Rewards® program as well as recommendations for AAA Diamond-designated hotels and restaurants across the U.S. and Canada. Let AAA provide the rest of your travel needs with AAA Travel Guides, AAA Digital TourBooks®, access to travel agents and and travel insurance. Your next vacation starts with AAA — your complete travel solution. Visit AAA.com/Travel.Written by