The Mobil Travel Guide four- and five-star awards for 2009 have Hawaii's luminary lodgings, restaurants and spas twinkling brightly.

The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea has repeated as Hawaii's only Mobil five-star hotel. It also boasts five AAA diamonds and is the only 808-state property to be at the pinnacle of both rankings.

“;What you see (listed) are properties that are not compromising the guest experience, regardless of market conditions,”; said Shane O'Flaherty, president and chief executive of Mobil Travel Guide.

The company first ranked Hawaii hotel and resort spas in January 2004, and that November released its first star rankings for Hawaii lodgings and restaurants for the coming year.

Since then, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Halekulani, Kahala Hotel and Resort and the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua have rated four stars.

Four Seasons Resort the Lodge at Koele repeated its 2008 four-star rating, as did Four Seasons Resort Lana'i at Manele Bay.

The Dining Room at the Lodge at Koele kept the four stars it first earned last year, while Chef Mavro, Gerard's in Lahaina, La Mer and Spago in Wailea also upheld the four-star status they've owned since the beginning.

The Spa at Manele Bay, which debuted on Mobil's four-star spa list last year, maintained its rank, while others that debuted with four stars in 2004 successfully met the standards yet again. Hawaii's enduring four-star hotel and resort spas are Hualalai Sports Club and Spa; Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea Resort; SpaHalekulani; Spa Suites at the Kahala; and The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Maui.

“;Our rating really focuses more on the overall customer experience,”; at 75 percent of the criteria, while 25 percent is based on the overall facility, O'Flaherty said.

Since 1958, Mobil's inspectors have judged hotels based on more than 750 criteria; restaurants on 250 and, more recently, spas on 450. Inspectors' visits are “;undercover”; and unannounced.

Naturally, O'Flaherty warns of Web sites that rate a property at five stars when Mobil has awarded but three.

“;We encourage the consumer to do their research with companies who actually stay there and are not in it to sell a room.”;

He noted “;exceptional values”; being offered, saying “;if I were a consumer planning on travel, I'd take advantage of the rates.”;

Apparently some people are, as he hears that “;advance bookings for the second quarter are on their way up, starting to look good,”; in some parts of the country.

“;We do believe that ultimately, whatever the economic times are, the consumer will adapt ... and ultimately have more optimistic feelings and spend,”; he said.