TAOS, NM (10/16/2006 – The American Automobile Association (AAA), one of the country’s most respected authorities on travel and hospitality, has awarded El Monte Sagrado’s De La Tierra restaurant with their prestigious Four-Diamond title.

Headed by Executive Chef Paul Wade, De La Tierra is equal parts stunning architecture, dazzling interior design, impeccable service and world-class cuisine, the De la Tierra Restaurant at El Monte Sagrado serves cutting-edge regional and seasonal American dishes from a diverse menu and some of the finest wines the world has to offer. In addition to AAA’s recent recognition, De la Tierra was named one of the world's best new restaurants by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine in 2004. Some of the restaurant’s unique Southwestern offerings include mustard crusted elk chop, a molasses marinated grilled quail and a tequila lime pie with chocolate chili crust and prickly pear syrup.

The restaurant also includes the Anaconda Bar, aptly names for the giant sculpture that winds its way throughout the venue. This casual bar features live entertainment, a light dining menu and brunch on Sundays.

The award comes at a key time for El Monte Sagrado, a Kessler Collection Hotel, as it has announced a major expansion to the property, adding 30,000 square feet of guest suites, meeting and event space and spa facilities.

“Being recognized by an organization like AAA only reaffirms the great steps we’ve taken with El Monte,” said Jeff Mahan, the resort’s general manager. “This is a world-class designation that truly stands as a testament to the work we do here.”

Aspiring to offer luxury living in harmony with the environment, El Monte Sagrado opened in 2003, blending the amenities of a destination resort and spa with the forces of nature, creating this unique getaway at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The resort features a Dharma Living Systems Biolarium, Living-Machine recycled water and geo-thermal heating and cooling, creating an environment harmonious with nature and the existing landscape.

De La Tierra’s inclusion places it in a category with The Kessler Collection’s other Four-Diamond rated restaurants: The Boheme at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Orlando, FL, and the Plantation Room at Celebration Hotel in Celebration, FL.

The Kessler Collection includes: the AAA Four-Diamond Beaver Creek Lodge in Beaver Creek, CO; the historic AAA Four-Diamond Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine, FL; the AAA Four-Diamond Celebration Hotel in Celebration, FL; the AAA Four-Diamond Grand Bohemian Hotel in Orlando, FL; the AAA Four-Diamond Mansion on Forsyth Park in Savannah, GA; the Doubletree Castle Hotel in Orlando, FL; El Monte Sagrado in Taos, NM; Sheraton Studio City in Orlando, FL; Sundy House, a Kessler managed property in Delray Beach, FL; Columbia Place luxury condominiums, Savannah, GA; Hampton Inn & Suites, Orlando, FL – scheduled to open in 2008; and Grand Bohemian Hotel & Residences, St. Petersburg, FL – scheduled to open 2009.