Less than 5% of all hotels in the United States receive AAA's Four Diamond award, but Disney and Disney Vacation Club resorts are well represented on the 2012 list.
At the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa was again given the Four Diamond designation, a distinction it has received dating back to 2001. Just up the road, the Disneyland Hotel joins the Four Diamond club just as its three year refurbishment project concludes.
Walt Disney World saw three resorts added to the Four Diamond list including both Jambo House and Kidani Village at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Also added to the list for 2012 is the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort.
Returning honorees are highlighted by Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa which has earned the Four Diamond designation dating back to 1989. Others include Disney's Beach Club Resort, Disney's BoardWalk Inn, Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Polynesian Resort, Disney's Yacht Club Resort and the Walt Disney World Swan Resort.
AAA conducts extensive evaluations of lodging accommodations before assigning a rating of One to Five Diamonds. Four Diamond award winners are described as being "upscale in all areas." In order to earn the Four Diamond designation, resorts must demonstrate "an extensive array of amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service, and attention to detail."
The complete list of 2012 Four Diamond award winners is available in PDF format courtesy of AAA.
