There are a lot of diamonds in the Tampa Bay restaurant scene, according to AAA, just not the highest quality ones.
This month the travel guide announced its “Top Diamond Designated Hotels and Restaurants of 2022,” and Tampa Bay received no 5-Diamond nods.
While shut out of the top-tier is frustrating, the Bay area is home to 17 of AAA’s “4-Diamond” restaurants and hotels including Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach, The Vinoy in St. Pete, and Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa.
Other local properties on the “4-Diamond” list include two eateries: Caretta On The Gulf and Ocean Hai both located in hotels within a few feet from Clearwater Beach.
Tampa Bay might be used to not being one of AAA’s “5-Diamond” towns, however, since local spots have been left off the list for the last five years.
AAA says it rates diamond properties by cleanliness, comfort, cuisine and consistency.
Other Florida cities that earned “5-Diamond” awards include Miami, Fernandina Beach, Lake Buena Vista and Fort Lauderdale.
