For the world’s vacationers, there is a seemingly infinite number of hotels to choose from. Depending on the budget, accommodations can range from a windowless ground floor motel room to the luxury experience of a beachside suite with a balcony.
Offering quality accommodations to travelers will likely continue to be a lucrative business. Travel and tourism is a significant and growing component of the U.S. economy, contributing an estimated total of $1.5 trillion to GDP in 2016.
According to the Labor Department, employment in the leisure and hospitality industry has steadily increased in recent years, outpacing employment gains in most other U.S. sectors. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, hospitality is the fastest growing industry in the world.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed Diamond ratings for U.S. hotels provided by the American Automobile Association (AAA). To be considered for our list, hotels needed to have a 4- or 5-Diamond rating. In states with multiple 4- or 5-diamond-rated hotels, the hotel with the most consecutive years of ratings was selected. The insurance and travel firm awards 1 through 5 Diamond ratings only to hotels that pass inspection, indicating they are clean, comfortable places. Top rated hotels offer extensive, highly personalized services and amenities characterized as “ultimate luxury.”
Click here to see the best hotels in every state.
AAA reviews tens of thousands of establishments, and 5-Diamond hotels represent less than 1% of all inspected hotels in North America. Most states do not have any 5-Diamond hotels. At the same time, New York City, adding two ultra-luxury accommodations last year, is home to 11 5-Diamond hotels — the most of any U.S. city.
Comparing states, California has the most top-rated hotels, with 15.
While each year establishments enter (and exit) the ranks of ultimate luxury hotels, some, including the hotels on this list, have stood the test of time. The Broadmoor, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the only hotel to maintain a 5-Diamond rating for 42 straight years.
To identify the best hotel in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 4 and 5 Diamond ratings provided by AAA. This year, AAA awarded 1 through 5 Diamond ratings to roughly 27,000 hotels across the country. To be considered for our list, hotels needed to have a 4- or 5-Diamond rating. In states with multiple 4- or 5-diamond-rated hotels, the hotel with the most consecutive years of ratings was selected. The total number of hotels in each state was obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2015 County Business Patterns database. Hotel totals do not include casinos.
These are the best hotels in every state.
1. Alabama
> Best hotel: Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Hoover
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 2006
> Total hotels in Alabama: 796
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2. Alaska
> Best hotel: Pearson’s Pond Luxury Inn and Adventure Spa (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Juneau
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 2006
> Total hotels in Alaska: 278
3. Arizona
> Best hotel: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Scottsdale
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 1991
> Total hotels in Arizona: 1,033
4. Arkansas
> Best hotel: Angel at Rose Hall (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Eureka Springs
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1999
> Total hotels in Arkansas: 695
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5. California
> Best hotel: The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Dana Point
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 1986
> Total hotels in California: 5,498
6. Colorado
> Best hotel: The Broadmoor (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Colorado Springs
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 1976
> Total hotels in Colorado: 1,238
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7. Connecticut
> Best hotel: Winvian Farm (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Morris
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 2010
> Total hotels in Connecticut: 368
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8. Delaware
> Best hotel: Boardwalk Plaza Hotel (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Rehoboth Beach
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1992
> Total hotels in Delaware: 195
9. Florida
> Best hotel: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Naples
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 1987
> Total hotels in Florida: 3,136
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10. Georgia
> Best hotel: Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Atlanta
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 1999
> Total hotels in Georgia: 1,883
11. Hawaii
> Best hotel: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Wailea (Maui)
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 1991
> Total hotels in Hawaii: 255
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12. Idaho
> Best hotel: The Coeur d’Alene Resort (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Coeur d’Alene
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1986
> Total hotels in Idaho: 332
13. Illinois
> Best hotel: Four Seasons Hotel Chicago (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Chicago
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 1990
> Total hotels in Illinois: 1,457
14. Indiana
> Best hotel: Omni Severin Hotel (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Indianapolis
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1990
> Total hotels in Indiana: 969
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15. Iowa
> Best hotel: Ameristar Casino Hotel (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Council Bluffs
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1998
> Total hotels in Iowa: 675
16. Kansas
> Best hotel: Ambassador Hotel Wichita, Autograph Collection (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Wichita
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 2014
> Total hotels in Kansas: 614
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17. Kentucky
> Best hotel: The Brown Hotel (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Louisville
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1993
> Total hotels in Kentucky: 699
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18. Louisiana
> Best hotel: JW Marriott New Orleans (4 Diamonds)
> Location: New Orleans
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1985
> Total hotels in Louisiana: 872
19. Maine
> Best hotel: Stage Neck Inn (4 Diamonds)
> Location: York Harbor
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1976
> Total hotels in Maine: 488
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20. Maryland
> Best hotel: Rocky Gap Casino Resort (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Cumberland
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 2001
> Total hotels in Maryland: 658
21. Massachusetts
> Best hotel: Four Seasons Hotel Boston (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Boston
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 1988
> Total hotels in Massachusetts: 755
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22. Michigan
> Best hotel: Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Grand Rapids
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1985
> Total hotels in Michigan: 1,252
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23. Minnesota
> Best hotel: Kimpton Grand Hotel Minneapolis (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Minneapolis
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 2002
> Total hotels in Minnesota: 895
24. Mississippi
> Best hotel: Monmouth Historic Inn & Gardens (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Natchez
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1981
> Total hotels in Mississippi: 667
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25. Missouri
> Best hotel: The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Clayton
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1990
> Total hotels in Missouri: 1,015
26. Montana
> Best hotel: The Lodge at Whitefish Lake (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Whitefish
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 2010
> Total hotels in Montana: 526
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27. Nebraska
> Best hotel: Hilton Omaha (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Omaha
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 2004
> Total hotels in Nebraska: 445
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28. Nevada
> Best hotel: Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Las Vegas
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 1999
> Total hotels in Nevada: 388
29. New Hampshire
> Best hotel: Bedford Village Inn and The Grand at Bedford Village Inn (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Bedford
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1987
> Total hotels in New Hampshire: 321
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30. New Jersey
> Best hotel: The Bernards Inn (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Bernardsville
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1996
> Total hotels in New Jersey: 1,016
31. New Mexico
> Best hotel: Eldorado Hotel & Spa (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Santa Fe
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1997
> Total hotels in New Mexico: 610
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32. New York
> Best hotel: Four Seasons Hotel New York (5 Diamonds)
> Location: New York
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 1994
> Total hotels in New York: 2,138
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33. North Carolina
> Best hotel: The Fearrington House Inn (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Fearrington Village
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 1994
> Total hotels in North Carolina: 1,689
34. North Dakota
> Total hotels in North Dakota: 341
There are no 4- or 5-Diamond hotels in North Dakota.
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35. Ohio
> Best hotel: The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Cleveland
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1991
> Total hotels in Ohio: 1,353
36. Oklahoma
> Best hotel: Renaissance Waterford Oklahoma City Hotel (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Oklahoma City
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1996
> Total hotels in Oklahoma: 822
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37. Oregon
> Best hotel: Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Gold Beach
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1976
> Total hotels in Oregon: 933
38. Pennsylvania
> Best hotel: Falling Rock at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Farmington
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 2006
> Total hotels in Pennsylvania: 1,381
39. Rhode Island
> Best hotel: Ocean House (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Watch Hill
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 2011
> Total hotels in Rhode Island: 122
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40. South Carolina
> Best hotel: The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Kiawah Island
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 2006
> Total hotels in South Carolina: 1,081
41. South Dakota
> Total hotels in South Dakota: 426
There are no 4- or 5-Diamond hotels in South Dakota.
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42. Tennessee
> Best hotel: The Hermitage Hotel (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Nashville
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 2003
> Total hotels in Tennessee: 1,335
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43. Texas
> Best hotel: The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Dallas
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 2017
> Total hotels in Texas: 4,799
44. Utah
> Best hotel: Montage Deer Valley (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Park City
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 2013
> Total hotels in Utah: 544
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45. Vermont
> Best hotel: The Equinox, A Luxury Collection Golf Resort & Spa (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Manchester Village
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1992
> Total hotels in Vermont: 237
46. Virginia
> Best hotel: The Inn at Little Washington (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Washington
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 1989
> Total hotels in Virginia: 1,469
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47. Washington
> Best hotel: The Westin Seattle (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Seattle
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1981
> Total hotels in Washington: 1,137
48. West Virginia
> Best hotel: Bavarian Inn (4 Diamonds)
> Location: Shepherdstown
> First year 4 Diamond rating was awarded: 1983
> Total hotels in West Virginia: 300
49. Wisconsin
> Best hotel: The American Club (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Kohler
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 1985
> Total hotels in Wisconsin: 1,061
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50. Wyoming
> Best hotel: Four Seasons Resort & Residences Jackson Hole (5 Diamonds)
> Location: Teton Village
> First year 5 Diamond rating was awarded: 2006
> Total hotels in Wyoming: 396
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