AAA Chicago Honors 2006 Five/Four Diamond Establishments

AURORA, Ill., June 5 -- AAA Chicago congratulates area 2006 AAA Five and Four Diamond hotels and restaurants. Recipients underwent rigorous review and met the highest standards in quality and service to earn AAA's exclusive, top Diamond ratings. For 2006, only eight area establishments carry the illustrious Five-Diamond designation and another 50 properties bear the Four-Diamond honor.

Every year, AAA evaluates over 70,000 restaurants and lodgings worldwide on a scale of one-to-five Diamonds. Approximately 55,000 go on to receive a Diamond rating. Less than one-half of 1 percent of properties meets criteria for Five-Diamond status and fewer than 4 percent receive Four Diamonds. Ratings are published annually in the popular AAA TourBooks(R), which are available to all, but primarily reserved as a benefit for AAA's more than 48 million members throughout North America.

Members and non-members alike rely on the Diamond rating scale. According to studies conducted by the Travel Institute of America, AAA's Diamond rating is among top considerations that all travelers -- not just AAA members -- factor into their hotel selections. As a select group, AAA members spend an estimated $186 billion annually on travel, including hotel, restaurant and entertainment. It is no wonder that, annually, AAA members account for 36 percent of all spending on U.S. lodging stays.

For more information about AAA's Diamond rating and travel agency services, please contact us at (866) YOUR-AAA (866-968-7222) or visit us on the Web at http://www.aaa.com/ .

ADDENDUM

Following are AAA Diamond Award winners in Illinois and northern Indiana listed with the consecutive number of years the establishment has won the award:

  AAA Five Diamond Hotels:
  Four Seasons Hotel (Chicago), 16
  The Peninsula (Chicago), 4
  The Ritz-Carlton Chicago (A Four Seasons Hotel), 1

  AAA Five Diamond Restaurants:
  Arun's (Chicago), 4
  Charlie Trotter's (Chicago), 12
  Everest (Chicago), 10
  Seasons Restaurant (Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago), 6
  Tru (Chicago), 6

  AAA Four Diamond Restaurants:
  Allen's - The New American Cafe (Chicago), 2
  Ambria (Chicago), 3
  Avenues (Chicago), 4
  Les Nomades (Chicago), 5
  mk (Chicago), 6
  NoMi (Park Hyatt Hotel, Chicago), 4
  Shanghai Terrace (Chicago), 4
  Spiaggia (Chicago), 12
  Spring Restaurant (Chicago), 4
  The Pump Room (Chicago), 3
  The Dining Room (Ritz-Carlton, Chicago), 18
  Topolobampo (Chicago), 4
  Yoshi's Cafe (Chicago), 15
  Zealous (Chicago), 4
  Le Titi de Paris (Arlington Heights, IL), 16
  Atwater's (Geneva, IL), 2
  Carlos' (Highland Park, IL), 18
  Tallgrass (Lockport, IL), 12
  Le Francais (Wheeling, IL) 1
  Nick's Fishmarket (Rosemont, IL), 15
  LaSalle Grill (South Bend, IN), 10
  Joseph Ducuis (Roanoke, IN), 1
  The Carriage House Dining Room (South Bend, IN), 4

  AAA Four Diamond Award Hotels:
  Hard Rock Hotel (Chicago), 2
  Hilton (Chicago), 2
  Hotel Monaco (Chicago), 2
  House of Blues Hotel (Chicago), 4
  Hyatt Regency (Chicago), 3
  InterContinental (Chicago), 16
  Le Meridien (Chicago), 4
  Omni Ambassador East (Chicago), 3
  Omni Chicago Hotel (Chicago), 13
  Park Hyatt (Chicago), 3
  Renaissance Hotel (Chicago), 14
  Sofitel Water Tower Place (Chicago), 3
  Swissotel (Chicago), 15
  The Drake Hotel (Chicago), 14
  The Fairmont Hotel (Chicago), 18
  The Sutton Place Hotel, (Chicago), 11
  The Westin Michigan Avenue (Chicago), 3
  W Chicago City Center, 4
  W Chicago Lakeshore, 4
  Westin River North (Chicago), 3
  Wyndham (Chicago), 7
  Hotel Orrington, (Evanston, IL), 1
  The Herrington Inn & Spa (Geneva, IL), 12
  Marriott's Lincolnshire Resort (Lincolnshire, IL), 11
  Renaissance Chicago North Shore (Northbrook, IL), 3
  The Westin O'Hare (Rosemont, IL), 3
  Cushing Manor Inn (South Bend, IN), 7

This year AAA Chicago celebrates 100 years of service, as 2006 marks the membership organization's centennial celebration. Formed in Chicago in 1906, the company represents roadway interests for motorists and pedestrians and serves as a leading advocate for various traffic safety and travel-related issues.

For more information on any aspect of AAA Chicago's breadth of service including AAA's home, auto and life insurance products; travel-related services, AAA's Show Your Card & Save program; and/or any AAA membership service including emergency roadside assistance, please visit our Web site at http://www.aaa.com/ or call us toll-free at 1-877-YOUR AAA (968-7222).