The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.Tops List of AAA Five Diamond Properties with 27 Winners from California to Grand Cayman

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., led the 2009 American Automobile Association (AAA) Five Diamond awards with 27 properties earning the top rating. This includes first time winners at Lake Las Vegas, Nevada; Dallas, Texas and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

“I am especially proud of this outstanding showing during a year when the hospitality industry has faced such challenges as a result of the downturn in the economy. The recognition by AAA that 27 Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts continue to provide both exemplary service and surroundings validates the commitment of our ladies and gentlemen to making our customers care and comfort their most important mission,” said Simon F. Cooper, president and chief operating officer. “We faced significant competition from many other fine hotels to lead the AAA Five Diamond list for 2009.” Cooper noted with pride.

Hotels in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean were rated by the AAA inspectors who anonymously visit thousands of properties each year, carefully reviewing everything from guest room cleanliness to quality of service, “To achieve and maintain the highest level of hospitality during these difficult economic times is a significant accomplishment”, said Michael Petrone, AAA tourism development director.

A complete list of AAA Five Diamond Ritz-Carlton Hotels includes:

* The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
* The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta
* The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch
* The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead
* The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun
* The Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove
* The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas
* The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington D.C.
* The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall, Jamaica
* The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
* The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
* The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale
* The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
* The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne
* The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
* The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas
* The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation
* The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey
* The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
* The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Golf
* The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park
* The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park
* The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach
* The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia
* The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
* The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
* The Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C.