Auburn’s The Laurel Hotel & Spa, which opened in September 2022, has been awarded a Five Diamond designation by AAA Travels — one of only 89 hotels in the United States to receive AAA’s highest rating.

The Laurel is also the first hotel in Alabama to earn Five Diamond status from AAA Travels.

“I am ecstatic that The Laurel Hotel & Spa has received this fantastic recognition in its very first year of operation,” Hans van der Reijden, founder and CEO of Ithaka Hospitality Partners, said today in a media release.

“This is fantastic news for our owners, our students and academic partners, and for our entire hotel team, led by general manager Josh Head,” van der Reijden added. “We are immensely proud to be the first hotel in the state of Alabama to receive a Five Diamond designation and are excited to share this accolade as part of our larger goal to establish Auburn as a world-class destination for both hospitality and education.”

Ithaka Hospitality Partners, which is based in Auburn, operates the hotel in partnership with Auburn University.

AAA reserves its Five Diamond status for hotels that provide “world-class luxury, amenities and indulgence for a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” and that are “great for the ultimate in relaxation.”

The Laurel Hotel & Spa is a first-of-its-kind teaching hotel adjacent to the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center, which is home to Auburn University’s Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management and which opened its doors in August 2022.

The Rane Center includes culinary labs and classrooms, as well as 1856 – Culinary Residence, the world’s first teaching restaurant to serve a tasting menu. Atlanta restauranteur Ford Fry is the current chef in residence at 1856, and Thomas Price is the Master Sommelier.

A rooftop garden, which is operated in partnership with AU’s Horticulture Department, provides some of the produce used at 1856 and by students in culinary laboratories.

The 32-room luxury boutique hotel also includes a rooftop lounge with an infinity pool and cabanas.

For more information about The Laurel Hotel & Spa, go here.