Mobil Travel Guide unveils its top picks in U.S.

Mobil Travel Guide, the originator of the star rating system, today unveiled the newest list of Mobil four- and five-star hotels, restaurants and spas for 2008, exclusively on the TODAY show.

More than 8,000 hotels, 8,000 restaurants and 150 spas are rated every year. The Mobil Travel Guide ratings process is based on more than 750 standardized criteria for hotels, more than 250 for restaurants and, more recently, 450 different criteria for spas, making it the most rigorous and comprehensive ratings system out there.

Since 1958, the Mobil Travel Guide has defined excellence and quality in the travel industry, and is celebrating its 50^th anniversary as the gold standard in objective, expert advice for millions of travelers across the globe.

For 2008, there are only 41 hotels, 17 restaurants and three spas that will be awarded a five-star rating, for a total of 61 five-star properties, each with vastly different, extraordinary and distinctive experiences to offer their visitors.

For a full list of the 2008 four- and five-star hotels, restaurants and spas, and tips to help you plan the perfect vacation, visit http://www.mobiltravelguide.com/.

The newest Mobil Travel Guide four- and five-star hotels, restaurants and spas for 2008 are:

HOTELS:

Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, Kiawah Island, S.C.

• Located just south of Charleston, S.C., on Kiawah Island
• Elegant and luxurious design to resemble a 19^th-century Southern mansion
• Two outdoor pools and one indoor pool
• Access to two tennis centers and five legendary championship golf courses, including The Ocean Course (home to the 2012 PGA Championship)
• 21-acre park and nature-based recreation and kids’ program
• Home to the new 2008 Mobil five-star Spa at the Sanctuary

Boston Harbor Hotel, Boston

• Located on Boston’s waterfront at Rowes Wharf
• Building’s design includes an arch that is considered the “Gateway to the City”
• Just completed $10 million guest-room renovations
• 230 beautifully renovated guest rooms with either sweeping city or harbor views
• Mobil four-star Meritage — The Restaurant
• Spa at Rowes Wharf and full-service health club, including an indoor pool
• With the Big Dig over, hotel overlooks the beautiful manicured Rose Kennedy Greenway

Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, Jackson Hole, Wyo.

• Located within Teton Village
• 124 luxurious lodge-style guest rooms, most with fireplaces and balconies
• Discreet and thoughtful service from staff creates a comfortable environment
• Ski in/out access to the Teton Mountains with expert ski concierge
• Mobil four-star Spa at Four Seasons Jackson Hole
• Incredible art collection of more than 2,000 original pieces including Juan Miro, Alberto Giacometti, Romare Bearden and Reginal Marsh
• Discover the beauty of both Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park; both are located out the backdoor of the resort
• Summertime provides a variety of activities, including fly-fishing

Stein Eriksen Lodge, Park City, Utah

• The lodge is located mid-mountain, within the Deer Valley Ski Resort
• Rooms are equipped with gourmet kitchens and living rooms with stone fireplaces
• Home to the new 2008 Mobil four-Star Glitretind restaurant and the Mobil four-star Spa at Stein Eriksen
• Welcome gifts presented to each child at arrival from the gift sled
• Arrival gift of Chef Zane Holmquist’s grandmother’s fudge
• Ski in/out access assisted with the resort's ski valet
• Nightly horse-drawn sleigh rides

RESTAURANTS

Inn at Dos Brisas, Brenham, Texas

• Located an hour outside of Houston
• Menu is influenced by fresh seasonal produce, herbs and ingredients grown in the restaurant’s organic garden
• Tasting menus change nightly, including the “Grand Tasting” eight-course meal
• Dining room is sophisticated yet has a comfortable ambience highlighted by the 1760 Loire Valley fireplace
• Large windows overlook the rolling hills, the pool and pastures
• Exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable staff
• More than 3,500 bottles of wine stored in two cellars

Le Bernardin, New York

• Located in midtown Manhattan on West 51^st Street
• Maguy Le Coze originally opened Le Bernardin in Paris in 1972, then opened the New York restaurant in 1986
• Distinguished and elegant with understated contemporary influences
• Beautiful original art collection that reflects the menu’s theme
• Dishes are innovative yet simple and approachable
• Flawless service that is civilized and sophisticated

The Georgian Room, Sea Island, Ga.

• Located within The Cloister on Sea Island
• Refined American menu with local and French influences
• Impeccable service with Southern charm
• Stately dining room is accented with a fireplace with a carved stone mantel, gold and crystal chandeliers
• Jackets and ties required

SPA

Spa at the Sanctuary, Kiawah Island, S.C.

• Located within the new Mobil five-star Sanctuary on Kiawah Island
• Intimate and charming spa offering 12 treatment rooms
• Designed to resemble the ambience and peacefulness of a grand Southern porch or garden
• Attentive and personalized service combined with Southern hospitality
• Treatments influenced by the Low Country location offering botanical extracts, mineral-rich muds and nourishing seaweed
• Separate male and female lounges offer mineral whirlpool, steam rooms and saunas

More from TODAY Makeover! She was bullied into cutting her hair  Treatment improving burned triplets’ scars | Images Six foods that take a bite out of the flu ‘Loser’: A player’s past choices haunt her   Images: Unlikely animal pals: Pig and tiger, more

MORE FROM TRAVEL

Travel Section Front

America’s favorite cities Southwest apologizes to mom kicked off flight Can’t-miss holiday gifts for the traveler in your life Couple accused of stealing tons of luggage What your travel agent isn't telling you Ex-cons guide tourists through Naples World’s largest cruise ship clears crucial obstacle Tips for traveling safely during flu season From L.A. to Auckland, love is in the air Pack smarter — pack like a professional Travel Section Front   Add Travel headlines to your news reader: