The Best Luxury Lodging in the Nation

With so many rating criteria to choose from, defining what exactly makes up the top 10 luxury hotels and resorts in the United States is certainly not an easy task. It seems as if every city in every state contains at least one hotel or resort that caters to those with a discerning palate for whom anything but the best is not enough.

However, with the task at hand of selecting a top ten, why not look to the experts? AAA has been rating hotels, resorts and restaurants, assigned with their trademark diamond, for nearly three decades, so they are certainly a trusted source for determining what is luxury…and what is not.

As of 2005, AAA's list of five diamond lodgings numbers 85 throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. This number represents only 0.26% of the 55,000 lodgings and restaurants evaluated each year by AAA. So you know the establishments that have made the cut take luxury very seriously.

This list includes some new faces to the exclusive five-diamond list, and a few that have stood the test of time. However, this is by no means the complete list, which includes 64 other resorts and hotels in the United States, and eleven more in Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

The first four are the newcomers, 2005 being their first year on the list. They have obviously stepped up to the plate to become some of the "best".

Walden Country Inn & Stables - Aurora, Ohio

Walden Country Inn & Stables is Ohio's first ever five-diamond hotel. With 25 luxurious suites, Walden Country Inn & Stables is a perfect hideaway for relaxing getaways, weddings and executive retreats. The elegantly proportioned buildings surround a 175-year-old barn and silo located on 32 acres, with horses roaming in the pasture. Glass walls bring in natural light and contrast with the traditional farmhouse feel of the buildings. Guests enjoy a host of recreational activities, world-class dining, unobtrusive service and a wealth of meeting space. For more information go to www.waldenco.com, or call (330) 562-5508.

The Phoenician - Scottsdale, Arizona

Guests marvel at the array of pleasures that make this prestigious landmark a one-of-a-kind destination resort, with blue skies, warm sunny days and the rich colors and textures of the great American Southwest. The Phoenician is designed for comfort and enjoyment, brightened by a spirit of easy elegance where you can feel miles away from the rest of the world, yet right at home. (CONTINUE...)