American Academy of Hospitality Sciences

Name

American Academy of Hospitality Sciences

Legal name

The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences

Website

https://stardiamondaward.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Hospitality Awards & Recognition

NAICS

Food Services and Drinking Places (722)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYCRAEADAG

Premium/Upmarket Membership Clubs

Consumer Products & Retail/Discount, Club & Value Retail/Warehouse Clubs & Membership-Based Retail

SECONDARYHSACAMAH

Luxury Hospitality & VIP Hosting (Tables, Bottle Service, Concierge Hosts)

Home & Personal Services/Event & Personal Concierge Services/VIP, Red Carpet & Special Access Services

Keywords

• Hospitality awards
• Luxury hotel ratings
• Fine dining recognition
• Restaurant evaluation
• Luxury hospitality assessment

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Award Recognition Services: Revenue generated through bestowing International Star Diamond Awards on qualifying hotels, spas, restaurants, chefs, and other hospitality establishments. Recipients gain access to the Academy's network and promotional platforms including Star Diamond World Magazine, Star Diamond TV, and social media exposure.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (AAHS) evaluates and recognizes excellence in the global luxury hospitality sector through its International Star Diamond Award program. Recipients—including Five and Six Star quality hotels, resorts, spas, golf courses, fine dining restaurants, top chefs, airlines, cruise lines, private clubs, and corporate entities—are evaluated on exceptional service, superb facilities, ambiance, gastronomy, cleanliness, and hospitality, then inducted into an exclusive international network supported by affiliated publications and media platforms.

Product overview

The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences operates the International Star Diamond Award as its core product—the most prestigious emblem of achievement recognizing excellence in global luxury hospitality. The organization complements its award program with several supporting products: the Star Diamond World Magazine (a luxury travel and lifestyle publication), Travel International Digital Magazine (a quarterly digital newsletter), Star Diamond Collection (a digital directory of award recipients), Star Diamond TV/Star Diamond Styles (video content platform), and the SDC International Travel Directory (worldwide member showcase). The Academy also hosts culinary events and maintains a charitable contributions program supporting various causes. The organization awards Five-Star and Six-Star Diamond ratings across hotels, resorts, fine dining restaurants, top chefs, corporate entities, and increasingly non-hospitality industries like home services, manufacturing, and wellness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International Star Diamond Award The flagship recognition program of AAHS, bestowing Five-Star Diamond and Six-Star Diamond Awards exclusively on establishments meeting the Academy's criteria for exceptional service, facilities, ambiance, gastronomy, cleanliness, and hospitality. Designed for luxury hotels, resorts, spas, golf courses, fine dining restaurants, top chefs, airlines, cruise lines, private clubs, financial institutions, and corporate entities worldwide.
• Star Diamond World Magazine A high-gloss luxury travel and lifestyle magazine providing exclusive editorial coverage of Star Diamond Award recipients, distributed throughout member hotels, airlines, cruise lines, and members of the Medical, Wellness, Financial, and Travel Industries worldwide.
• Travel International Digital Magazine A quarterly digital publication and corporate newsletter broadcasting AAHS recipients' recent achievements, providing seasonal editorial coverage, property updates, and curated luxury insights to the global hospitality network.
• Star Diamond Collection A digital directory showcasing the world's most prestigious high-end influential organizations in the hospitality industry, featuring exceptional achievements in luxury hospitality, travel experiences, and lifestyle across hotels, restaurants, and corporate categories.
• Star Diamond TV (Star Diamond Styles) A video content platform featuring interviews with award-winning chefs, hotel developers, doctors, and hoteliers; coverage of award presentations; and destination tours distributed across YouTube and affiliated social channels.
• SDC International Travel Directory A worldwide online showcase of all AAHS luxury travel and lifestyle members and affiliates, allowing users to explore fine dining establishments, hotels and resorts, and corporate award recipients.
• International Star Diamond Award (Expanded Industries Program) Extended tier of the International Star Diamond Award program recognizing excellence across industries beyond hospitality, including home services, manufacturing, and wellness. Designed for non-hospitality brands meeting the Academy's standards of quality and service excellence.

Quantifiable outcome

• Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo achieved recognition for the fourth consecutive year since opening, resulting in increased customer base, average guest spend, and return ratios.

Named customers24 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered emerging, core, notable and charitable.

• Hogan RoofingemergingOthers · 19 November 2025Under the expanded International Star Diamond Awards program led by Vice Chairman Brandon Dawson, Hogan Roofing received recognition as part of the Academy's expansion beyond hospitality into home services.
• Intus WindowsemergingOthers · 19 November 2025Intus Windows received recognition under the expanded International Star Diamond Awards program as part of the Academy's expansion into manufacturing and exterior/interior excellence categories.
• Ironsmith FireemergingOthers · 19 November 2025Ironsmith Fire received recognition under the expanded International Star Diamond Awards program as part of the Academy's expansion beyond hospitality into exterior/interior excellence categories.
• Silver Lining HerbsemergingOthers · 19 November 2025Silver Lining Herbs received recognition under the expanded International Star Diamond Awards program as part of the Academy's expansion into wellness and health categories.
• Mandarin Oriental, TokyocoreOthersMandarin Oriental, Tokyo has received the Six Star Diamond Award for four consecutive years, along with individual Star Diamond awards for their 'Signature' French restaurant, 'Sense' Cantonese restaurant, and their Spa. The recognition has resulted in extensive media and PR acknowledgment internationally and domestically, increasing their customer base, average guest spend, and return ratios.
• The Peninsula Hong KongcoreOthersThe Peninsula Hong Kong and its leadership received Six Star Diamond Awards, honoring the property's excellence in luxury hospitality and service.
• Rhode Island Tourism DivisionnotableOthersRhode Island is the only state to have achieved the International Star Diamond Award from the Academy, recognizing the state's excellence in tourism and hospitality.
• L'Auberge de l'IllcoreOthersMarc Haeberlin's L'Auberge de l'Ill in France has received the prestigious International Star Diamond Award recognition, with the restaurant expressing pride in this ongoing acknowledgment.
• Mosimann'scoreOthersAnton Mosimann OBE's Mosimann's in the United Kingdom has received the prestigious award recognition from the Academy for multiple consecutive years.
• DANIEL RestaurantcoreOthersChef Daniel Boulud's DANIEL restaurant in New York received the Five Diamond Award from the Academy, recognized as a prominent dining destination in Manhattan.
• Dorchester CollectioncoreOthersMultiple Dorchester Collection properties including Le Meurice (Paris), The Dorchester (London), Hotel Plaza Athénée (Paris), and The Lana (Dubai) are Star Diamond Award recipients and key partners in the Academy's network of luxury hospitality excellence.
• Operation First Response / Wounded Warrior ProjectcharitableOthersAAHS supports the Wounded Warrior Project which serves nationa\'s Wounded Heroes/Disabled Veterans and their families with personal and financial needs from onset of injuries throughout recovery and transition to civilian life.
• Federal Drug Agents Foundation (FDA Foundation)charitableOthersThe FDA Foundation was formed 20 years ago by business and professional individuals, providing financial support to families of DEA, ATF, FBI agents and other law enforcement personnel killed or injured in the line of duty.
• Federal Enforcement Homeland Security Foundation (FEHSF)charitableOthersFEHSF partners with Joseph D. Cinque and AAHS to host events honoring Federal Agents and Officers of Federal Law Enforcement at the Friar's Club in NYC. Partners include US Secret Service, ATF, US Customs and Border Protection, US Marshals, and DEA.
• Kids Helping KidscharitableOthersAAHS supports Kids Helping Kids, a youth-led service organization founded in 1998 by Robert AJ Eslick and Philip M. Eslick. Their Winter Apparel Program has distributed over $10.5 million in winter coats and apparel to children and families in need.
• Toys for TotscharitableOthersFor 25 years, AAHS Chairman Joseph Cinque has partnered with US Marine Corps Officers for the annual Toys for Tots charitable toy drive, distributing toys to less fortunate children and families during the holiday season.
• St. Jude Children's Research HospitalcharitableOthersAAHS supports St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's mission to empower people and communities facing poverty, illiteracy, distress due to illness, and social exclusion.
• Andrea Bocelli FoundationcharitableOthersAAHS supports the Andrea Bocelli Foundation which empowers people and communities in situations of poverty, illiteracy, distress due to illness, and social exclusion through national and international projects.
• UFA Scholarship FundcharitableOthersThe Uniformed Firefighters Association Scholarship Fund helps families of active and deceased Firefighters with college costs. Joseph D. Cinque has been honored by this fund and supports its mission.
• Gold Coast Concours / Diabetes Research InstitutecharitableOthersThe Gold Coast Concours/Bimmerstock charity event benefits the Diabetes Research Institute. Over $338,000 has been raised to date, with Joe Mac Lapadula hosting at Martino Auto Concepts.
• Delta AirlinesnotableOthersDelta Airlines partnered with Operation Santa Claus for special needs children events at Christmas time, hosting children at airports with Santa arriving via Delta aircraft.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Forbes Travel Guide: Independent luxury hospitality rating system awarding Five-Star, Four-Star, and Recommended ratings to hotels, restaurants, and spas via anonymous inspectors. Most directly comparable to AAHS as a paid, professionally judged luxury recognition program competing for the same hotel marketing budgets.
• Michelin Guide: Globally recognized fine-dining and luxury hotel rating authority using anonymous inspectors to award stars and key distinctions. Competes directly with AAHS's Star Diamond Awards for restaurant and chef recognition credibility among luxury operators.
• AAA Diamond Program: Long-established hotel and restaurant rating program (One through Five Diamonds) administered by AAA using professional inspectors. Comparable to AAHS as a tiered luxury hospitality recognition mark with a multi-decade operating history.
• Relais & Châteaux: Global association of more than 580 luxury hotels and restaurants emphasizing gastronomy and hospitality excellence. Comparable to AAHS in serving as an exclusive membership-style network that recognizes and curates the luxury hospitality segment.
• The Leading Hotels of the World: Curated collection of 400+ independent luxury hotels worldwide, representing a member-based recognition and marketing organization for top-tier properties. Overlaps with AAHS on the luxury hotel curation and global marketing dimension.

Broad incumbents

• Virtuoso: Network of luxury travel advisors and operators offering curated luxury experiences, with affiliated hotels, cruises, and tour operators. Adjacent to AAHS through shared luxury hospitality customer base and partnership-style recognition programs.
• Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards: Annual reader-voted and editor-curated ranking of top hotels, cities, cruise lines, and travel brands globally. Adjacent to AAHS as a high-profile travel recognition program competing for luxury operator attention and marketing spend.
• Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards: Influential travel publication running one of the largest annual reader-ranked hospitality recognition programs. Comparable as a luxury hospitality recognition mark though driven by consumer voting rather than paid evaluation.

Emerging players

• Tablet Hotels: Curated selection of boutique and luxury hotels with editor-driven reviews and an online booking platform. Smaller and more digitally native than AAHS but operates in the curated luxury hotel recognition space.
• Mr & Mrs Smith: Members-only luxury hotel collection and booking club offering curated boutique and luxury properties with vetted reviews. Comparable to AAHS as an exclusive luxury hotel recognition network with a membership-driven model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Stardiamondaward
• Facebookfacebook.com/StarDiamondAward
• Instagraminstagram.com/stardiamondawards
• Xx.com/AAHSAWARD

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about American Academy of Hospitality Sciences