Several New Mexico Hotels and Restaurants Earn 2009 AAA Four Diamond Award Designation

ALBUQUERQUE, NM--(Marketwire - November 25, 2008) - Ten hotels and 7 restaurants in New Mexico have been awarded the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Rating for the year 2009. Lodgings at this level offer an extensive array of amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service, and attention to detail. Restaurants at this level offer a distinctive fine-dining experience marked by high-quality ingredients, creative presentation, and attentive service.

These hotels and restaurants are part of a select group of AAA Four Diamond Award winners. Just 3.9 percent of the more than 31,000 AAA Rated® lodgings and 2.8 percent of the 27,000 AAA Rated restaurants were awarded the prestigious AAA Four Diamond designation for 2009.

"AAA Four Diamond Award winners represent an important tier of the hospitality industry, offering guests superior experiences with a high level of hospitality in luxurious surroundings," said Michael Petrone, AAA director of Tourism Information Development. "To achieve and maintain this level of service is an amazing accomplishment, and AAA is pleased to honor these locations."

Recognized New Mexico Restaurants:
ALBUQUERQUE
Rancher's Club of New Mexico

OJO CALIENTE
Rancho de San Juan Restaurant

SANTA FE
Fuego
Geronimo
The Old House

TAOS
De la Tierra Restaurant
Joseph's Table

Recognized New Mexico Hotels:
ALBUQUERQUE
Hyatt Regency Albuquerque

BERNALILLO
Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa

OJO CALIENTE
Rancho de San Juan Country Inn & Restaurant

RUIDOSO
Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino

SANTA FE
Eldorado Hotel & Spa
Inn of the Anasazi, A Rosewood Hotel
La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa

TAOS
Casa de las Chimeneas Inn & Spa
El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa
Inn on La Loma Plaza

The assignment of a AAA rating of One to Five Diamonds marks the completion of a successful annual evaluation. All properties must first meet AAA's rigorous requirements to become AAA Approved® establishments.

AAA's Diamond Rating System is the only ratings system that covers all of North America and one of only two that conducts physical, on-site evaluations. It is the only system that uses full-time, professionally trained evaluators to inspect each property on an annual basis using a set of guidelines that are made available to all establishments. AAA evaluates more properties than any other rating entity. Additionally, AAA provides travelers the opportunity to post comments on AAA.com about their experiences at AAA Approved and Diamond Rated establishments. Information about AAA Diamond Ratings and the complete 2009 Four Diamond Award winners list are accessible at www.AAA.com/Diamonds.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA New Mexico can be visited on the Internet at www.AAA.com.

IMPORTANT: The distinctive words, logos, and symbols associated with the AAA Approved designation and the AAA Diamond Rating System are registered trademarks of AAA. Promotional use of these marks is restricted to lodgings and restaurants that have a current AAA Official Appointment licensing agreement as outlined on www.AAA.biz/Approved.

Contact Information: Contacts: Dan Ronan Statewide/Dallas Ronan.dan@aaa-texas.com danronan@sprint.blackberry.net 469 221 8217 office 469 583 7070 cell Sarah Schimmer Houston Schimmer.sarah@aaa-texas.com 713-284-6552 office 281-797-7886 cell