Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands, NC has been awarded the Mobil Four-Star Award for 2009. This means it is now designated Four-Star, Four Diamond resort. The Mobil award was bestowed on the Resort as well as The Spa at Old Edwards Inn. 

Old Edwards Inn and Spa president Richard Delany, who began operating the resort in mid 2008, says, ìWeíre thrilled to receive this confirmation that we are meeting our objectives of providing a unique, memorable and luxury experience for visitors to the Western North Carolina Mountains. We strive to foster a culture of service and excellence in hospitality and to provide superior amenities in relaxed environment. These are all things that travelers expect when they entrust their vacations and leisure hours to us.î

Mobil Travel Guide uses stars to represent levels of quality. Unlike other travel sources, which can vary widely in their consistency and their assessment of service and value, the Mobil Travel Guide inspectors make unannounced visits to every rated property. The Guide has rated hotels and restaurants since 1958ólonger than any other site or company.   Unlike many other inspectors, Mobil Travel Guide doesn't call ahead or warn managers and staff that they're coming.

A Mobil Four-Star rating for hotels indicates an outstanding establishment in a distinctive setting with expanded amenities and exceptional service to create a luxury experience. Mobil Travel Guide Inspectors evaluate several hundred objective hotel criteria, including housekeeping, room service, hospitality and lodging amenities to provide a rating that travelers can depend on.

Mobil Four-Star Spas provide a luxurious experience with expanded amenities in an elegant and serene environment, and are located within a Hotel or Resort. Personalized service and an extensive selection of treatments including facials, massages, body treatments and a variety of salon services will be found at the Mobil Four-Star spa level. The spa evaluation uses the same classifications as hotel evaluations, with the inclusion of technical execution of the actual treatments.

Inspectors spend three days and two nights at the hotel, interacting with staff, having a drink at the bar, ordering room service, visiting the spa and taking advantage of other services that a standard guest would encounter.

Inspectors respond "yes" or "no" to criteria in a range of classifications, such as graciousness, efficiency and luxury. These classifications include more than 500 criteria that assess staff appearance, behavior and skill level as well as food quality, housekeeping and concierge services, to name a few. For every "no" answer, a hotel loses points, and there's very little grey area. For example, luggage is delivered to the guest's room in 10 minutes, or it is not - there's no middle ground. Inspectors also write pages of commentary during the evaluations.

To learn more about Old Edwards Inn and Spa, please visit www.oldedwardsinn.com (and watch for the new web site in February) or call 828-526-8008.

About Old Edwards Inn and Spa:  Old Edwards Inn and Spa is CondÈ Nast Johansens Most Excellent Inn in the USA and Canada for 2008. The Four-Star, Four-Diamond resort†is located at 445 Main Street in Highlands, NC. The resort includes The Old Edwards Club, a private club that features a professionally designed golf course, heated mineral pool, tennis courts, a fitness center, clubhouse and pro shop. Also included in the Old Edwards Experience are a world-class Spa, Madisonís Restaurant and Wine Garden, The Farm at Old Edwards special events and wedding facility, Acornís and Acornís Annex upscale retail shops, The Rib Shack and Sports Corner.†Madisonís Restaurant and Wine Garden has been a Wine Spectator ìAward of Excellenceî winner every year since 2005.