These two South Florida oceanfront hotels earned Five Diamond ratings from AAA

AAA has just showered local luxury hotels — but not restaurants — in diamonds.

Two hotels in Miami-Dade County and one in Broward just earned a Five Diamond rating from AAA.

Singled out in Miami for Five Diamond honors were two usual suspects: Acqualina Resort & Spa in Sunny Isles Beach and St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, both of which were also recently awarded the Forbes Five-Star award.

Ten other hotels earned Five Diamond honors in Florida, including The Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale, Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach and The Breakers, Palm Beach.

South Florida restaurants didn’t fare as well. The only Five Diamond restaurants in Florida were The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island in Fernandina Beach and Victoria & Albert’s in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Lake Buena Vista.

Florida fared better with Four Diamond hotels and Four Diamond restaurants, with the second-most Four Diamond properties (after California).

AAA reports that Five Diamond hotels represent just 0.4% of almost 27,000 AAA Diamond lodgings. They’re noted for world-class luxury, amenities and indulgence. Five Diamond restaurants make up 0.2 percent of more than 30,000 AAA Diamond restaurant listings.

To earn the Five Diamond rating, hotels and restaurants pass in-person inspections, anonymous overnight stays and a panel review.

This story was originally published February 24, 2020 at 6:00 AM.