BCAA

Luis Valdizon, Ema Peter FALL 2018 BCA A .COM 25 TRAVEL The Diamond Rating System gives review-weary travellers a guiding light BY KIRSTEN RODENHIZER Shine Bright Like a Diamond Inspector Karen Williams is off duty. She's spending a relaxed night in an undisclosed hotel before heading off on a three- week work trip. She's not evaluating her current digs – at least not formally. But after 11 years of roaming BC, Alberta and the Caribbean to review hotels and restaurants for the CAA/ AAA Diamond Rating System, it has become second nature. "I'm looking at the mirror in my room right now. It's an extra-large one with a really nice wood frame. It would probably score Four Diamonds," she says over the phone from her secret location. She's on her way to northern BC and Alberta to anonymously scope out new properties, and check up on previously rated spots to make sure they haven't slipped. She goes on: "The ceiling in this room has a popcorn finish. At this level of hotel, you wouldn't typically see that." So it's more of a Two Diamond ceiling. The toilet is an elongated Japanese number with automated controls. "It pretty much does everything for you," she says. "If it was in a separate room, it would be a Five Diamond toilet." 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. Shining examples Turn the page for a sample of restaurants and hotels rated from One to Five Diamonds, then read on (p. 28) for more on Williams. MEMBERS SAVE BCAA Members save up to at hotel chains, including Fairmont, Hyatt, Westin, Hilton, Sheraton, Hampton, Marriott, Accent Inn and more. bcaa.com/hotels Vancouver's Four Diamond-rated Botanist Restaurant – inside the Five Diamond-rated Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel – is a CAA inspector favourite thanks to its wildly creative cocktails and dishes, such as (inset) seared sablefish with onion, sage, fermented vegetables and puffed tapioca.

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