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Virginia Crossings Resort Joins Exclusive Club; Receives AAA Four Diamond Award

Virginia Crossings Resort Joins Exclusive Club; Receives AAA Four Diamond Award

Virginia Crossings Resort has been named a Four Diamond hotel award winner by the American Automobile Association (AAA) for 2005.

A 183-room hotel and conference center north of Richmond and operated by Benchmark Hospitality International, Virginia Crossings Resort joins The Berkeley Hotel to become one of just two Four Diamond Richmond area hotels.

“Winning a Four Diamond award is extremely difficult to do,” said Scott Spurlock Virginia Crossings’ general manager.

“Personal service is what made the difference for us,” Spurlock said. With an employee campaign, complete with emblazoned shirts, “Never Before in 2004,” Spurlock said his employees went all out to capture the Four Diamond award.

“We have 150 diamonds here to me,” Spurlock said of his resort employees.

The Four Diamond Awards for 2005 were announced Monday (July 12) by AAA Mid-Atlantic at The Jefferson Hotel.

Virginia Crossings Resort offers a full service restaurant, sports lounge and adjoining Crossings Golf Club, a Joe Lee-designed championship course that is one of the most playable and scenic 18-hole courses in Virginia.

“AAA Four Diamond winners know the language of quality as they consistently deliver premier experiences, complete with superior personal service, first-class amenities and impressive surroundings,” said Martha Rowe Mitchell of Richmond, spokeswoman for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Just 3.25 percent of the estimated 31,000 AAA rated lodgings and 3.21 percent of the estimated 189,700 restaurants are awarded the prestigious AAA Four Diamond designation annually.

AAA evaluates more than 44,000 properties each year. Approved properties are included in AAA’s popular TourBook travel guides and also have the opportunity to be included in many of the 200 retail travel guidebooks published by AAA each year.

To be considered for AAA approval and rating, lodging facilities and restaurants undergo a thorough inspection by one of AAA’s 65-full-time, professional evaluators. AAA first started listing accommodation information in its publications in the early 1900s. The current Diamond Rating System was introduced in 1977.

”Earning a Diamond Rating means that a property has undergone a rigorous evaluation process,” said Michael Petrone, director, AAA Tourism Information Development. “AAA’s Diamond Rating System is the most respected restaurant and lodging rating system in the industry.”

Virginia Crossings, named a Four Diamond winner for 2005, will receive the award plaque next summer.

Virginia Crossings Resort is a Benchmark hotel that offers 183 guest rooms, a full service restaurant, sports lounge and, adjoining, The Crossings Golf Club, a Joe Lee designed championship course that is one of the most playable and scenic 18-hole courses in Virginia. The hotel is 90 miles from Washington DC, 90 miles from Norfolk and 75 miles from Charlottesville. Richmond International Airport is just 20 minutes away.

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