Las Vegas Sees Diamonds in AAA

Las Vegas has been dealt its first hand of five diamonds--the highest lodging and restaurant rating by AAA--in the new 2000 rankings, announced last week by the national automobile group. The diamonds went to the 8-month-old Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, which is on the upper floors of the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Complex. (No Las Vegas restaurant has ever been rated five diamonds.) The Four Seasons Resort Aviara in Carlsbad, Calif., also made the list, the only California addition for 2000. California claims eight hotels, the most of any state, and five restaurants (tied with New York) with five diamonds.