by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 9:35 AM ET, Wed December 31, 2025
Each year AAA sends out inspectors to hotels and restaurants across North America, the Caribbean and Costa Rica to assess the “4 Cs of AAA Diamonds”: Cleanliness, Comfort, Cuisine, and Consistency.
This year, only one new Canadian hotel made it onto the list of highly-rated four diamond properties: The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Ottawa.
The property, touted as “Canada’s first fully-integrated Hard Rock resort,” opened on July 3, 2025. Construction on the $350 million new hotel, casino and performance venue began in June 2023 after years of delays, reports CTV News.
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa features a 150-room hotel, with 22 luxury suites and 10 restaurants and bars, including the iconic Hard Rock Café.
The entertaining and gaming spaces total more than 150,000 sq. ft. which includes the Hard Rock Live performing venue with capacity for up to 2,200 people, 1,500 slot machines, 40 gaming tables, and a high-limit gaming area.
At the opening, Christine Crump, President Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa said, "We are thrilled to share this exquisite facility with our community and tourists. At our core, we are an entertainment company, and we know that our guests will feel the vibe and energy the moment they walk in!"
There were 30 new four diamond hotels and restaurants announced and only four properties that merited the prestigious five diamond award. They are:
The complete listing of all the newly awarded four- and five-diamond hotels and restaurants can be found here.
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