By JL Staff Nov. 30th, 2010

Luxury Resort News: Reinforcing its status as one of the country’s premier resorts, The Grand Del Mar has received a 2011 Five-Star ranking from the Forbes Travel Guide for both its Spa and fine dining venue, Addison. The resort was also recognized as an American Automobile Association (AAA) Five Diamond lodging for 2011, and Addison received the AAA Five Diamond restaurant rating.

This is the first year The Spa at The Grand Del Mar – a masterfully designed 21,000-square-foot, Renaissance-inspired resort showpiece – has attained Forbes Five-Star status; and the third consecutive year that Addison – known for its beautifully conceived contemporary French cuisine, impeccable service and distinctive wine list– has earned the Five-Star designation.

Formerly known as the Mobil Travel Guide, this list has defined the industry's highest standard for excellence in hospitality for over 50 years. Its rating system is exacting – restaurants, hotels and resorts must meet or exceed the guide’s bar-setting service standards, which are determined through an unannounced, undercover service evaluation conducted by expert inspectors. Keenly focused on service, the Five-Star Award is its highest ranking. The Spa at The Grand Del Mar is one of only 20 hotel and resort spas in the world to achieve such recognition – joining The Spa at Mandarin Oriental in Las Vegas as one of two newcomers to the list – while Addison is one of only 23 dining establishments worldwide to receive the accolade.

Also representing the upper echelon of the hospitality industry, the AAA Five Diamond Award is AAA’s top ranking and reserved only for properties with the highest degree of service, unwavering quality, ultra-luxurious facilities and top-notch amenities. To be considered for AAA approval and rating, lodgings and restaurants must also undergo a rigorous inspection. Less than one-half percent of the tens of thousands of AAA-approved properties throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean attain Five Diamonds. This is the second consecutive year for The Grand Del Mar to be awarded Five Diamonds; Addison is the first and only restaurant in San Diego to win the AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star Awards for 2009, 2010 and 2011.

“We are truly honored to receive these awards, as only a very small percentage of properties are recognized with either Five Diamond or Five-Star status,” said Tom Voss, president of The Grand Del Mar. “These rankings provide us with credibility and cachet with world travelers seeking the very finest in accommodations and amenities.”

In addition, The Grand Del Mar was one of only 167 resorts worldwide to achieve the 2011 Forbes Four-Star Award.