And the winner is…
Hotels in Australia, South Africa, and Thailand fared well at the the 9th Annual World Luxury Hotel Awards, which was hosted at the prestigious Harbour Grand Hong Kong on Saturday 24th October 2015.
Hosted by international television presenter, Desmond So, over 300 attendees represented their hotels to receive their awards at this red carpet, black tie event. The phenomenal success of this event echoes in the praise of the attendees who, not only celebrated their accomplishments and received their awards on an international stage, but also enjoyed stellar presentation, a delectable 6 course fine dining experience and sensational cultural performances in the extravagant and glamourous Grand Ballroom at the Harbour Grand Hong Kong (read Tourism Tattler’s article here).
200 winners, in over 50 categories received their awards at the event. The Overall Winner was announced at the climax of the event. New York’s Hotel Plaza Athénée was awarded the Overall Winner Award. The award was presented by Mr Brandon Lourens, founder and chairman of the World Luxury Hotel Awards, as well as Ms. Odile Franc, Director of Distribution and Development, France 24.
In the Luxury Serviced Apartments category, Australia’s ADGE Apartment Hotel in Sydney took the coveted award as the Worlds Best. The ADGE Apartment has been recognised for its unique design and strong focus on quality guest service.
Arinara Bangtao Beach Resort, which overlooks the sapphire sea on the west coast of Phuket, Thailand won the Worlds Best Luxury Coastal Resort category award. This family friendly resort is recognised for its signature Southeast Asian décor and special features such as direct pool access, stunning pool and sea views and spacious living areas.
South Africa also fared well at the 2015 World Luxury Hotel Awards.
Gondwana Game Reserve, situated in the heart of the Eastern Cape’s Garden Route, won the Worlds Best Luxury Eco Safari Resort award. This 11,000-hectare (26,000 acre) Private Game Park offers a distinctive and luxurious malaria-free Safari Holiday destination with free-roaming Big 5 Safari Animals.
The Worlds Best Luxury Bush Lodge award went to Amakhosi Safari Lodge. Located on the banks of Zululand’s Mkuze River in KwaZulu-Natal, Amakhosi Safari Lodge offers 6 luxury River Suites and launched the new Amakhosi River SPA in November 2013 with a range of signature Africology treatments.
The 2015 awards season saw the introduction of the Chairman’s Award which is awarded to hotel management companies that have earned the respect of their peers in the travel industry and travelers alike. The first ever Chairman’s Award was awarded to LUX* Hotels and Resorts, Mauritius, for maintaining the highest standards in the management of the Lux* group, through the experienced leadership of master hoteliers, combined with vigilance in the delivery of excellent service. This award recognizes the Lux* management group for sustaining the highest standards of hospitality and luxury, as a common thread, throughout the various hotels and resorts in their portfolio.
To enter the 2016 World Luxury Hotel Awards register at www.luxuryhotelawards.com
