Joining them this year as Four Diamond winners are Barton Creek Resort & Club Inc., Four Seasons Hotel, Hyatt Regency Austin, Omni Austin Hotel Downtown and The Driskill Hotel. AAA began rating properties in 1963. All but The Driskill have been previous winners in the prestigious competition.

"AAA Four Diamond winners consistently deliver first-class service, complete with first-class amenities and impressive surroundings," says Rose Rougeau of AAA Texas. "The Four Diamond Award is one of the industry's most prestigious honors. It recognizes restaurants and lodgings that have shown an ongoing commitment to superior service."

The Four Diamond rating goes to only 3% of nearly 25,000 properties and 4% of 12,000 approved restaurants. A team of 60 specially trained AAA representatives make the unannounced inspections. Out of the hundreds of restaurants and lodgings in Texas, only 48 have been recognized for the Four Diamond distinction for 2001. No restaurants in the Austin area were chosen for the Four Diamond Award.