For the eighth consecutive year, Mirbeau Inn & Spa in Skaneateles has been awarded the AAA Four Diamond Award for outstanding accommodations.

The award was presented Wednesday, Jan. 25, during a ceremony at the New York Wine & Culinary Center in Canandaigua. AAA and the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection co-sponsored the event and acknowledged the recipients’ contribution to New York State’s travel and tourism industry.

“It is no small success to achieve this exceptional recognition,” said Wally Smith, vice president of AAA Western and central New York. “AAA commends these properties for continuing to exceed our members’ and travelers’ expectations each and every day with outstanding service, amenities and overall excellent guest experiences.”

Only 3.8 percent of the 59,000 AAA Diamond rated establishments throughout North America and the Caribbean earn the prestigious Four Diamond rating each year, according to AAA.

“We are thrilled to be recognized once again for the AAA Four Diamond Award and take great pride maintaining and exceeding the high level of guest service and facility standards required to win this award,” said Christopher Pulito, Mirbeau’s general manager. “We spend lots of timing training our staff on the Mirbeau hospitality standards. These detailed trainings include role playing to help ensure that we don’t just provide good service for our guests but they feel as though they are being truly cared for.”

Mirbeau was represented at the AAA ceremony by Resort Manager Matthew Dower and Guest Services Manager Priyanka Sonwani.

A second CNY resort, The Aurora Inn, which is also a member of the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce, also received a AAA Four Diamond award at the ceremony.

“The Skaneateles Chamber of Commerce is very proud of two of our Chamber Members who received the AAA Four Diamond Award,” said Sue Dove, Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce executive director, who attended the awards ceremony. “The level of customer service and amenities offered must be superb in order to receive this award. The Mirbeau Inn & Spa and The Aurora Inn are two of our gems in the Finger Lakes Region who received this award. Congratulations!”

In addition to the AAA Four Diamond Award, Mirbeau recently was the only property in New York state to receive the 2012 Forbes Four Star Award for Inn, Spa and Dining Room. The Forbes Star Award Program recognizes only four and five star properties that represent luxury and excellence in hospitality, spa and dining.

Jason Emerson is editor of the Skaneateles Press. He can be reached at [email protected].