HONOLULU, HI — Twenty-seven locations, 15 local hotels and 12 local restaurants have been rated as 2010 AAA Four Diamond award winners based on hospitality, ambiance, service and other criteria, AAA Hawaii announced today.

Orchids restaurant in the Halekulani, Oahu, and The Hyatt Regency Maui, Lahaina, Maui, each received its 15th consecutive AAA Four Diamond Award rating, AAA Hawaii also announced.

Pahui’a restaurant in the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai and JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa, Kapolei Oahu each received their 10th AAA Four Diamond Award rating.

“The AAA Diamond rating system remains an objective and consistent method to measure upscale dining establishments and lodgings which AAA members rely upon,” said AAA Hawaii Acting Branch Manager Chris Olvera. “We congratulate these hospitality professionals who offer high caliber service, hospitality and care to their guests in accommodations that are beautiful, clean and comfortable.”

More than 51 million AAA members and the public depend on the hotel and restaurant Diamond ratings in the AAA TourBook(R) to help them with their travel decisions. The award signifies that a hotel or restaurant met AAA’s objective rating criteria and levels of excellence during an unannounced inspection.

Area lodgings and restaurants that received the 2010 AAA Four Diamond Award, a listing in the AAA TourBook(R) and the consecutive years they received the award are:

RESTAURANTS
Big Island Kaupulehu: Pahui’a (in Four Seasons Resort Hualalai ), 10
Kohala Coast: Hualalai Grille (in Four Season Hualalai), 5

Maui: Hana: Ka’uiki Dining Room, 2
Kihei: Sarento’s on the Beach, 7
Kapalua: The Banyan Tree (in the Ritz Carlton Kapalua), 8

Lanai: Dining Room in The Four Seasons, 2

Kauai: Poipu: Dondero’s, 2

Oahu: Honolulu: Bali By The Sea (in Honolulu Hawaiian Village), 21
Hoku’s (in The Kahala Resort), 8
Orchids (in Halekulani), 15
Tokyo Tokyo Restaurant, 4
Kapolei: Azul (in the JW Marriott Resort), 14

LODGINGS: Big Island: Kohala Coast/Kamuela: Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, 11
The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, 19

Kauai: Poipu: Grand Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort, 19

Lanai: Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay, 3
Four Seasons Resort Lanai, The Lodge at Koele, 2

Maui Hana: Hotel Hana Maui and Honua Spa, 7
Kaanapali: The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, 15
Wailea: Grand Wailea, 11
The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui, 8
Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, 2

Oahu Honolulu: Halekulani, 9
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, 2
The Kahala Hotel & Resorts, 4
Kapolei: JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko’ Olina, 10

AAA’s Diamond rating program is the only hotel and restaurant review system in the nation that uses specially trained full-time field representatives using objective and detailed rating procedures.

Lodging inspections include at least one unannounced inspection each year. Inspectors review and rate exterior, grounds and public areas, room decor, ambiance and amenities, guest room, bathrooms, housekeeping and maintenance, management and staff and guest services.

Once the inspection process is complete, properties that meet all requirements receive a rating of one to five Diamonds.