Syracuse, NY, MAY 16, 2008 --The Lodge at Turning Stone, The Tower Hotel at Turning Stone, and Wildflowers Restaurant at Turning Stone, located at 5218 Patrick Road in Verona, NY have been awarded prestigious AAA Four Diamond ratings for 2008, AAA Western and Central New York announced today.
AAA Four Diamond winners are members of an elite group, demonstrating unwavering commitment to superior hospitality attentive service, premier comfort, impressive surroundings and an extensive selection of amenities, said Tom Chestnut, President/CEO of AAA Western and Central New York. The fact that three Turning Stone Resort and Casino properties have received these coveted awards is indicative of the level of excellence guests can expect.
This is The Lodge's third AAA Four Diamond Award. The Tower Hotel and Wildflowers Restaurant are receiving their second awards. Wildflowers is located within The Lodge.
AAA Four Diamond Award winners are a select group. For 2008, only 3.2 percent of the 60,000 AAA Diamond Rated lodgings and restaurants received the prestigious designation. Four Diamond lodgings account for just 3.6 percent of the more than 32,000 AAA Rated® lodgings. Four Diamond restaurants account for just 2.7 percent of the 28,000 AAA Rated restaurants.
The Lodge and The Tower Hotel are two of only 17 AAA Four Diamond properties in Upstate New York and two of 40 statewide. Wildflowers Restaurant is one of only 12 AAA Four Diamond restaurants in Upstate New York. Of the 49 AAA Four Diamond restaurants in New York State, 37 are in New York City.
The Four Diamond symbol is included in each property's and restaurant's listing in the 2008 AAA New York State TourBook® guide, in print and online at AAA.com. AAA's 51 million members depend upon TourBook guides to assist them with their travel-related decisions. An establishment's diamond rating is often the deciding factor when members choose a lodging or restaurant.
More than 65 AAA/CAA tourism editors visit over 60,000 lodgings, campgrounds, restaurants, and attractions each year throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Tourism editors conduct unannounced evaluations of lodgings and restaurants, scrutinizing such areas as cleanliness, ambiance, amenities, and service.
AAA began field inspections of lodgings and restaurants in 1937. This early evaluation system evolved into the AAA Diamond Rating System for lodgings in 1976 and for restaurants in 1988.
As Upstate New York's largest motoring and travel organization, AAA provides its 880,000 members with travel, insurance, financial, and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited at www.AAA.com.
AAA Four Diamond Awards Presentation to Turning Stone Resort and Casino. Pictured (L to R) Andrew Lee, Vice President of Food and Beverage; John Sansone, AAA Assistant Vice President; Frank Riolo, Chief Operating Officer, Turning Stone Resort and Casino; and Karen Ramirez, Vice President of Hotel and Spa Operations.
Contact:
Shaun Seufert (716) 929-3600
Diana R. Dibble (315) 453-5904
Wally Smith (716) 626-3225
