Travel club honors Nevada with more Five Diamond properties

The latest report from travel club AAA shows the upscaling of Las Vegas continues despite a recession that's cut into consumers' discretionary spending. The group's newest list of Five Diamond winners showed that Nevada gained more Five Diamond properties than any state but Florida. Both Nevada and Florida picked up three new Five Diamond hotel honorees.

The local newcomers are The Ritz Carlton at Lake Las Vegas, Encore at Wynn Las Vegas and the Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino.

Nevada now has eight AAA Five Diamond properties. Only California and Florida have more.

Repeat Five Diamond winners include The Venetian, Bellagio, Skylofts at MGM Grand, Wynn Las Vegas and Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas.

Nevada didn't add any restaurant winners, but it didn't lose any, either. Nationwide, AAA removed seven restaurants from its Five Diamond list, with six of those eateries closing.

Five Diamond restaurants in Las Vegas include Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace, Picasso at Bellagio, Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand, Le Cirque at Bellagio and Alex at Wynn Las Vegas.

AAA's inspectors evaluate 58,000 hotels and restaurants a year to come up with its select list of winners in the Five Diamond category, its highest honor. Just 113 hotels and 52 restaurants made the roster. Inspectors grade properties based on service and atmosphere.

"The economy this past year presented numerous challenges for the hospitality industry," said AAA Nevada spokesman Michael Geeser. "To make the list for the first time or maintain the highest level of hospitality during these difficult economic times is remarkable."