An unmatched system

Williams (not her real name) is one of 44 full-time inspectors who evaluate hotels and restaurants for CAA/AAA. While her description of the room might seem over-meticulous, this level of detail is hard-wired into the Diamond Rating System, which has 81 evaluation categories for hotels, and 59 for restaurants. A property’s ultimate ranking takes in scores in all categories to render a verdict of One to Five Diamonds – making the program one of the most detailed, objective and consistent in the world. CAA/AAA evaluates more properties than any other rating entity, and it’s one of only two that conduct on-site inspections.

To be considered for a single Diamond, properties have to meet base criteria for cleanliness, security, comfort and hospitality (things like deadbolts, adequate lighting and housekeeping are non-negotiable). This isn’t the case with other rating systems, many of which are based on customer reviews – somewhat helpful, but also subjective.

In-person inspections

Following a strictly defined procedure, Williams begins every Diamond hotel inspection with a long look at the building’s exterior. Does it have a covered area and parking? Is the architecture a heritage style, or distinctive in some way? Inside, she assesses the lobby and public spaces for amenities (plugs, WiFi, USB outlets) design and finishes, among other elements. “At Four and Five Diamonds, we start to look for more luxury elements, like natural stone, real wood, marble and leather,” she says.

In the rooms, a litany of items get attention: lamps, draperies and floor coverings. Toilets, towels, showerheads, faucets. The heft of the curtains. The pile of the carpet. The size and features of the TV. The location and quality of the lamps, desk and chairs. The comfort of the bed, headboard and cushions. The style of the art and wall coverings. Access to gadgets like iPads or smart devices. The list goes on.

Restaurant inspections are just as exhaustive, taking stock of not only cuisine, but the entire dining experience. That means everything from plating and garnishes to ingredient quality, crockery, the wine list, decor, noise level and napkins – even how warmly the staff greet customers on their way in and out. The more skill, quality and creativity go into each element, the more Diamonds it earns.

Needless to say, after dining at thousands of restaurants and sleeping in more hotels than she can count, Williams knows exactly what she likes when she travels. Especially when it comes to a hotel suite: “I really appreciate triple sheeting personally,” she says, referring to the method of wrapping a duvet inside two flat sheets, so the guest only touches items that have been washed between stays. “I also appreciate a comfortable chair, when it’s the weekend and I’m staying somewhere away from home. And a nice, comfortable bed.” Don’t we all.

Diamond Dining

CAA and AAA inspectors award One to Five Diamonds to restaurants based on the type of cuisine served and the trappings that go along with it. But even One Diamond can be delicious:

One Diamond

Quick-serve eateries with simple-yet-tasty fare, often served on paper plates. Shuswap Pie Company, Salmon Arm. Baked goods, soups and sandwiches made from scratch and served in a quaint café setting. The sweet (bumbleberry; raspberry-rhubarb) and savoury (steak-and-stout; curried veggie) pies are legendary.

Two Diamonds

Casual, affordable dining with familiar dishes served in a sit-down setting. Hello Toast, Kamloops. A homey diner that dishes up scrumptious home-cooked breakfasts, salads, soups and sandwiches in a sunlit space with local artists’ work gracing the walls. Try the daily soup (like chicken mulligatawny), with avocado-seed-chocolate cookies for dessert.

Three Diamonds

Trendy fine dining prepared by a trained chef. You’ll also find a curated wine list, creative cocktail menu and comfortable, coordinated ambience.

Four Diamonds

Complex, inspiring dishes made with high-quality ingredients, served in a slickly designed space by skilled wait staff who know the menu inside and out.

Five Diamonds

Haute cuisine prepared by a world-class chef that’s plated like a work of art and served flawlessly in a lavish milieu.

Eden at the Rimrock Resort Hotel, Banff. This Rocky Mountain treasure sits atop Sulphur Mountain, with 180-degree views of Banff. It’s also the only Five Diamond restaurant in the West, and one of only five in Canada. Expect white-linen tablecloths, a world-class wine menu and seamless service from a team of impeccably trained servers and sommeliers, along with a once-in-a-lifetime meal from award-winning executive chef Konstantin Chakhnov. Offerings rotate, but the Chef’s Tasting Menu is always a good bet, stocked with delicacies like tempura oysters with black caviar, caramelized white chocolate and champagne; and bison with coffee, carrot and avocado.

Stays that Sparkle

Look up the same hotel on different booking sites, and you’ll see multiple – and probably conflicting – star ratings, scores and reviews, making it tough to know what you’re getting. The Diamond Rating System assigns One to Five Diamonds based on consistent standards for quality, amenities, comfort and service:

One Diamond

Budget-oriented, clean and serviceable stays that offer comfort and hospitality without many frills. Alpine Motel, Hope. A snug-and-tidy roadside property with 14 units (some with kitchens) that are modestly yet cheerily decorated – and just down the road from the hiker-favourite Othello Tunnels in Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park.

Two Diamonds

Affordable accommodations with modestly enhanced facilities, decor and amenities.

Three Diamonds

Plush accommodations, with plenty of extras geared toward guest comfort, along with spacious rooms and distinctive decor.

Coast Hillcrest, Revelstoke. Sitting in a tranquil, forested spot north of town, this property recently got a multimillion-dollar facelift, building on its rustic log-frame appeal with modern comforts and slick design touches. Its 75 roomy suites now come with touches like granite and marble counters, wood tones, organic patterns and bright pops of colour. Many rooms have balconies with leaf-framed mountain views.

Four Diamonds

Refined and stylish stays with upscale finishes, and every amenity imaginable, along with a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail.

Five Diamonds

The pinnacle of hospitality, sophistication and comfort, with meticulous personalized service, extensive amenities and impeccable design.