Congrats to Kai at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa! The restaurant, located on the Gila River Indian Community in Chandler, was just awarded the highly coveted five-star honor from The Mobil Travel Guide. Only 20 nationwide restaurants have the privelege of a five-star award, with Kai being the only one of Arizona. (Kai is in classy company. Other five-star honorees are The French Laundry in Yountville, Calif., New York’s Jean-Georges and Chicago’s Charlie Trotter’s.) Kai also holds AAA’s highest award, five diamonds.
Curious to know how Mobil Travel Guide goes about awarding restaurants, hotels and spas? Well, per the Guide’s Web site, here’s how it goes.
There are two types of inspections:
Facility inspection—Every property gets a visit from a facility inspector, who uses a checklist to evaluate cleanliness, physical condition and location. This inspection results in a Mobil One-, Two- or Three-Star rating. Spas are the only exception—the minimum standard for a Mobil spa rating is three stars.
Service evaluation—Based on the facility inspection, properties that might qualify for a Mobil Four Star or Five Star Award certification will receive a visit from a second, this time incognito, inspector. This inspector makes an anonymous visit and performs an incognito evaluation based on more than 500 service standards. During service evaluations, inspectors keep a low profile and do not reveal that they represent the Mobil Travel Guide.
Interesting! If you’d like to learn more, you can visit mobiltravelguide.howstuffworks.com.
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Oh my gosh, I had NO idea – that is so amazing!!
The Kai Dining room’s view looks spectacular! The process to receive the five star award sounds very difficult. Congratulations to Kai restaurant.
Kudos! I have never had the chance to visit this exquisite restaurant but rest assure this restaurant is a definite don’t miss on my radar. I am a food connoisseur, well not really. My New Year’s resolution is to step outside my comfort zone and try new and exciting palate pleasures and this is certainly one.
I need to make my way over to Chandler more…
Wow I’ve never even heard of this place.. love finding new places to eat great food! Thanks Melissa!
I never realized FIve Star awards were so rare- I will have to try this place out. Maybe on Valentine’s Day if they aren’t already booked!
What is the Mobile Rating based on? Why is this from a gasoline company?
Congrats Kai. One of my favorite restaurants in the Valley- I knew I had good taste. 🙂