Hotel Star and Diamond Rating Systems
There are various types of rating systems, some accurate, some inaccurate.

The two most common systems in the United states are the star system of Mobile Oil and the diamond system of AAA. Both systems have inspections of the higher quality hotels. 5 star or 5 Diamond hotels have to have certain services including spa and work out facilities, and 24 hour food service.

Mobil considers itself the inventor of the star system. They say that they inspect thousands of hotels and restaurants each year to make sure that they are meeting their criteria for the designated star. There are very few 5 star Hotels and restaurants.

The same is also true with AAA rating systems. AAA seems to take into account there members feedback and they will also state that they have or have not inspected a hotel or restaurant.

If you are a member of AAA there is a great deal of information about hotels in the travel books which are free with your membership.

Most other rating systems seem to be very unreliable and risky. "56% of all leisure travelers agree that “hotel guide ratings such as those provided by Mobil Travel Guide and AAA are important when selecting hotel accommodations.” YPB&R/Yankelovich Partners 2004 National Leisure Travel MONITOR. It is important to check on rating criteria when using the information from other rating services.

Your comments are welcome.