The Omni Houston Hotel has been awarded AAA’s coveted Five Diamond Award for the 18th time, making the luxury property Texas’s most decorated hotel. One of only three properties in Texas to ever win this prestigious honor, the Omni Houston received this recognition for seventeen consecutive years while undergoing $6 million in renovations during the 2000 rating period when it was designated “Under Renovation - Last Rated Five Diamond.” The Omni Houston has maintained its’ stellar reputation for excellence by earning the Five Diamond Award for 2001.

“AAA’s Diamond Rating System is the most respected lodging and restaurant rating system in the industry,” said Alan Borne, managing director, AAA Publishing. “The Five Diamond Award is only given to establishments that exemplify an impeccable standard of excellence.”

The announcement was made at ceremonies in Scottsdale, Arizona on November 13. General Manager, Matthew Nuss, accepted on behalf of the Omni Houston Hotel. “We are extremely pleased to have earned this award again,” said Nuss. “It is recognition of the hard work that goes into creating and operating a world class establishment.” Since its’ opening in 1981, The Omni Houston Hotel has received this award each year, the only exception being 2000 while undergoing extensive renovations.

The Omni Houston Hotel is one of 108 lodgings and restaurants that earned Five Diamond recognition from AAA this year. More than 41,000 establishments will be listed in the 2001 AAA TourBook guide, but less than one-half of one percent receive the Five Diamond Award. To be considered for AAA approval and rating, lodgings and restaurants undergo a thorough inspection by one of AAA’s 60 full-time professional evaluators. AAA first started listing accommodation information in its travel publications in the early 1900’s. In 1937, the first field inspectors were hired and the current Diamond Rating System was introduced in 1977.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides its’ more than 43-million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.

The Omni Houston Hotel is the top rated hotel in Houston and the recipient of a number of prestigious awards. It completed a multi-million dollar renovation of its rooms, corridors and public spaces in 1999. The hotel offers 378 fully appointed rooms and is located in a 3.2-acre park-like setting. The Omni’s famed La Reserve restaurant is considered one of the preeminent fine dining establishments in the country and is the recipient of 16 Mobil Travel Guide Four Star Awards, AAA’s Four Diamond Award, top ratings in multiple categories in the ZAGAT Houston Restaurant Survey, DiRona Award and Award of Excellence by WineSpectator. Located at Four Riverway, the hotel is just minutes from The Galleria shopping complex and Houston’s downtown entertainment and theater districts. For information, call 713/871-8181.

Omni Hotels, based near Dallas in Irving, Texas,offers luxury accommodations at more than 40 hotels and resorts located throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Each property in the Omni Hotels portfolio provides guests with exceptional hospitality, personalized service and exquisite décor, creating a distinctive experience at each location. Omni Hotels offers unsurpassed meeting facilities and a wide range of guest services and amenities, including wine tastings, gourmet dining, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, tours of local attractions, and specialized programs. Through an aggressive expansion strategy, Omni Hotels is steadily entering new markets around the world. Guests can locate hotels, check rates, book accommodations or find out more about Omni Hotels by calling 1-800-THE-OMNIor accessing the company’s Web site at www.omnihotels.com.

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