3 EAST COUNTY INNS/HOTELS WIN AAA FOUR-DIAMOND AWARD

January 23, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) - Nineteen hotels in San Diego County have received the prestigious American Automobile Association (AAA) four-diamond award, including three in San Diego’s eastern region: Orchard Hill Country Inn in Julian, Pala Casino Spa & Resort on the Pala Indian reservation, and Harrah’s Rincon Casino & Resort in Valley Center.

The award ranks these hotels and inns among the top 3.4% of all lodging establishments listed by AAA.

“We are very excited to receive the Four Diamond Rating”, said Shannon Upson, Director of Hospitality at Harrah’s Rincon Casino & Resort (www.rincon.harrahs.com ). “Every day, our team strives to exceed the expectations of our guests, and this award is a testament of their dedication to service excellence.”

In addition to the AAA four-diamond designation, Orchard Hill (http://www.orchardhill.com/) has also been named among the top six lodges in the west by Sunset Magazine.

Pala Casino Spa and Resort (http://www.palacasino.com/) features an events center, Palomar Starlight Theater, rodeo grounds and other amenities in addition to the casino, spa and hotel.

“North America’s AAADiamond Rating System is a long-time trusted method of rating lodgings and dining establishments, especially during what has been a difficult economic year for the hospitality industry and also for travelers,” said the Auto Club’s Approved Accommodations Supervisor Patricia Marenco. “Southern California’s hotels and restaurants that earn the AAA Four Diamond award maintain a very high standard of service in their hotels and restaurants in order to continue pleasing their guests.”