Author: Linda Cooper

11 November 2020

To celebrate the 5^th year of the World Luxury Restaurant Awards the winners of these prestigious awards have been announced representing more than 61 countries and 365 restaurants.

The World Luxury Restaurant Awards recognizes establishments for world-class service excellence. Awards are presented on a country, regional, continent and global basis. Winners are selected by public vote online, providing true recognition that reflects the hard work and dedication exhibited by staff.  

We started the 2020 award year with great excitement, planning two very special and unique events in Indonesia and Mauritius. We adapted to the ever-changing circumstances, and to make up for being unable to host an event, we decided to do our utmost to provide all participants with a special winner package, including individual personal video clips, a video message from management and a set of winner images announcing their win.

The 2020 Global Hotel of the Year Award went to The Apurva Kempinski Bali, in Indonesia, congratulations to Vincent Guionnet and Danti Yuliandari and their team on receiving this prestigious award. Winners are highly deserving of this prestigious award, epitomizing as they do the ethos of luxury and fine service. Many factors play a part in determining the global restaurant of the year winner, such as brand, location and overall guest satisfaction as per feedback via online reviews, among others. This year the focus was on those that showed true determination during a year never experience in our industry before.

“We congratulate this year’s winners. It speaks volumes to your dedication and commitment to our industry in this challenging year. True luxury is not easily attained. It takes highly efficient and dedicated staff, who are willing to go the extra mile and stop at nothing to ensure that every guest feels cared for and no challenge goes unresolved. This is the definition of luxury, it is what makes the winners shine.” says World Luxury Awards Marketing Director, Michael Hunter-Smith.

As the year draws to an end both FRANCE 24, our official sponsor, and ourselves are confidently optimistic that 2021 will see the international travel and tourism industry start its growth and recovery. We look forward to sharing this journey with you all.

The winners of the annual World Luxury Hotel Awards were announced on 12 October 2019 at a glitzy affair at Arctic TreeHouse Hotel and SantaPark in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland. Thiswas the thirteenth event of its kind and more than 300 guests flew in from around the world to celebrate their awards.

The World Luxury Hotel Awards recognize establishments for world-class service excellence. Awards are presented on a country, regional, continent and global basis. Winners are selected by public vote online, providing true recognition that reflects the hard work and dedication exhibited by staff.

“The most coveted award is the overall Global Hotel of the Year award,” says Tanique Echardt, Executive Manager of the World Luxury Awards, “Many factors play a part in determining the winner; brand, location, design, and overall guest satisfaction as fed back via online reviews as well as what reflects in the property’s votes during the annual four week voting period. This year the focus was on unique design, classy elegance and outstanding service excellence.”

This year’s Global Hotel of the Year award went to Mandarin Oriental Bodrum in Turkey and the Chairman’s Choice Award was presented to W Verbier in Switzerland. Both winners are highly deserving of these prestigious awards, epitomizing as they do the ethos of luxury and fine service.

Master of Ceremony Maija Ilmoniemi skilfully guided proceedings and entertained guests, who also enjoyed a taste of quintessential Finnish hospitality. SantaPark is the home cavern of Santa Clause descending 50 meters below the Arctic Circle. The menu was planned according to the sustainable values of Arctic TreeHouse Hotel; the gala experience included locally produced culinary delights such as reindeer and pike perch and guests also had the privilege of enjoying true Lappish entertainment throughout the evening. Tuuletar, an accapella band performed mystic singing stories which allowed guests to experience diverse elements of the Lappish culture. Rakas restaurant at Arctic Treehouse Hotel provided the ideal ambience for the after party to end the evening, resulting in an experience of a lifetime.

In his speech to welcome guests, Executive Director of Business Finland and Head of Visit Finland, Paavo Virkkunen said “Luxury travel is moving in the direction of genuine, high-quality experiences, where the value of globally rare things like clear air, clean water – and sustainable and responsible use of these commodities – form the fundament of local services, activities and cuisine. Personalized service, design and organic raw materials, caring attitude and safe activities – even in extreme nature conditions – that leave permanent memories. These are the ingredients of Finnish luxury that spreads happiness to our global guests”.

“We congratulate this year’s winners. True luxury is not easily attained. It takes highly efficient and dedicated staff who are willing to go the extra mile and stop at nothing to ensure that every guest feels cared for and no challenge goes unresolved. This is the definition of luxury. It is what makes the winners shine.” says World Luxury Awards Marketing Director, Michael Hunter-Smith.

The end of the evening was met with a great surprise when Santa Clause and his elves emerged from the stage and greeted all guests, welcoming them to his home cavern. The elves presented all guests with gifts and Santa gave all an opportunity for very special and memorable photo opportunities.

Special thanks went to France24 for their continued support of the awards over the years. Other media supporters include Santé Magazine, Copenhagen Traveller, Destination Golf, The Caviar Spoon, SingaporeBrides and official gift sponsor, Healing Earth, for their contributions. Also attending the gala ceremony where an array of sponsors from Finland including Visit Finland, Visit Rovaniemi, Billecart-Salmon Champagne, RAK, Jetflite and Turkish Airlines.

CELEBRATING HOTELIERING EXCELLENCE IN A WINTER WONDERLAND 

2 December 2017 – Snow falls gently on the slopes of the Swiss Alps, pine trees are decked with white hats, and a warm glow resonates from the windows of the host of the 2017 World Luxury Hotel Awards gala ceremony, the resplendent Kulm Hotel St. Moritz. 

“We could not have hoped for a more magical setting. One can only try to describe the beauty of this location, and it is topped only by the fact that we are surrounded by a winter wonderland.” says Michelle Snyman, Brand Manager for the World Luxury Hotel Awards, as guests begin to arrive on the red carpet. 

In celebrating over a decade of awarding service excellence, the World Luxury Hotel Awards warmly welcomed its guests on 2 December to the 2017 grand gala ceremony at one of the top ski destinations in the world. St. Moritz, a luxury alpine resort town in Switzerland’s Engadin valley is renowned for its winter season charm and its style, elegance and class. 

Setting the basis for service industry standards around the globe, the World Luxury Hotel Awards provides true recognition to luxury hotels and resorts in their relevant categories during its annual voting phase. “Over 300,000 votes were tallied this year from travellers and guests of these luxury establishments during the voting phase. It is because of this that our winners are here this evening, because they offer something extra special to their guests that satisfies their travel desires.” says Snyman. 

Guests were treated to a luxurious fine dining 6-course meal, designed especially for this magnificent occasion by Head Chef Mauro Taufer, and plated and delivered expertly to each guest’s delight. Entertainment from Leo Wundergut had the crowds roaring with laughter throughout the evening opening hearts and lifting spirits in their act “Comedy in Music – or how to kill a piano”. True entertainment for the mind, heart and funny bones. 

“We wish to congratulate all our winners tonight, who above all else have excelled as the best of the best in their respective categories amongst their industry peers. Our further special congratulations to our two top winners for the evening, of which the Chairman’s Choice Award went to Constance Hotels & Resorts, in recognition of this group’s unwavering dedication to service excellence in luxury hospitality. Our grandest award for the year, the prestigious 2017 Global Hotel of the Year, was bestowed upon Jumeirah Vittaveli in the Maldives, a property for which words can rarely describe its splendour. This opulent hotel is well deserving of this accolade and represents everything that the World Luxury Hotel Awards stands for. Congratulations to the General Manager, Mr Amit Majumder and his entire team for this magnanimous achievement.” says Brandon Lourens, Founder and CEO. 

After interview and photo opportunities had concluded and the air of anticipation subsided, guests were welcomed to The Altitude Bar where the celebrations continued, friendships were formed, and good times were had by all. 

The World Luxury Hotel Awards extends a heartfelt thank you to every participant of the 2017 awards for their continued support, and to each attendee of the gala ceremony. We look forward to another prosperous award year, and to welcoming our valued clients to AYANA Resort and Spa Bali on 10 November 2018 for our next exciting awards celebration. 

Luxury establishments from around the globe are welcomed to participate in these exciting awards, to proudly show the world what they have to offer in terms of luxury and service excellence. 

On 29th October 2016, the World Luxury Hotel Awards celebrated its 10th anniversary in awarding the world’s finest hotels for their luxury offerings and exceptional service delivery.

Hosted on this auspicious occasion by the exquisite St. Regis Doha in Qatar, the evening saw over 350 guests from the world’s leading hotels and resorts gather to be recognised on stage for their outstanding efforts.

The evening itself was one of true celebration. Participants from over 50 countries arrived to a grand red carpet welcome and were dazzled during the evening.

Dining was to perfection, with a chic, decadent 6- course meal prepared to order, each course elegantly plated and paired with fine wine. Guests savoured their meals while being entertained with live, toe-tapping jazz music, performed throughout the evening. Awards were presented to luxury hotels and resorts in over 60 categories.

The Armani Hotel Dubai was announced as Overall Winner of the 2016 World Luxury Hotel Awards.

“We wish to congratulate all our winners for the 2016 award year, who through their tireless efforts and unbounded passion to satisfy their guests needs, have received this honour tonight. True luxury is no small feat, it takes a team of highly dedicated staff willing to go the extra mile and stop at nothing to ensure that no request goes unanswered. This is the definition of luxury, this is what defines a World Luxury Hotel Awards winner.” says Anton Perold, Managing Director for the World Luxury Hotel Awards.

www.luxuryhotelawards.com