(Above) Fans wait outside The Langham on August 30, 2014, hoping to see the band One Direction, which was performing that night at Soldier Field. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

16-Jan-15 – In all of Illinois and northern Indiana, only five hotels received AAA’s highest rating this year and three are in River North.

The Peninsula Chicago on East Superior Street got a “Five Diamond” rating for the 13th year in a row. This was the fifth year for Trump International Hotel & Tower, which only opened on North Wabash Avenue six years ago. The Langham, which opened in 2013 across Wabash from Trump, has its first Five Diamond award.

It is not easy to earn Five Diamonds. There are a series of surprise, on-site inspections by trained professionals and a final review by a panel of experts. The award is given to about 0.3 percent of more than 58,000 hotels and restaurants in the United States and Canada.

“Five Diamond establishments stand apart by redefining personalized service, using creativity to enhance guest comfort and providing memorable experiences,” said Alicia Lyles, regional president of AAA Chicago, as she announced the awards for Illinois and northern Indiana on Friday.

Trump’s Sixteen (above) was the only restaurant in River North and one of only six in Chicago to receive a Five Diamond award. Across the street at The Langham, Travelle received Four Diamonds.

Formerly the American Automobile Association, AAA has been rating hotels and restaurants since 1937. The “diamond” ratings date back to 1977.