Leading Hotels Announces Award Winners During its Annual Convention

Global Leader in Luxury Hospitality Honors its Members for Outstanding Achievements

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. December 03, 2010

NEW YORK, NY - December 2, 2010 - The Leading Hotels of the World completed its 2010 Annual Convention with a black-tie gala in Tokyo's world-famous Imperial Hotel. One of the highlights of the evening was the award and recognition ceremony.

Leading Legends Awards*
Leading Legends Awards were launched at this year's event. This annual tribute honors individual hoteliers who have made meaningful contributions to the preservation and advancement of independent luxury hotels.

Ms. Elisabeth Gürtler, Chief Executive Officer, Sacher Hotels
Ms. Gürtler carved a special place for herself among the world's outstanding hoteliers with her keen ability to anticipate developing international trends and adapt them specifically for her hotels. In marrying trend with tradition, she coined the term “trendition” for her properties. Beyond her intensive involvement with her hotels, this Leading Hotelier is also a leading light in her city: as director and organizer of the legendary Opera Ball; and, the first woman to serve as the director of the acclaimed Spanish Riding School.

Mr. Gordon Campbell Gray, Chairman, CampbellGray Hotels, Ltd.
Mr. Gray's distinct perspective and sense of social responsibility ushered in a fresh era in hotel keeping. Long before “green” became an industry buzz word, he established himself as a leader in promoting sustainable practices in the luxury sector, while supporting local community outreach programs. “Stuffy” is the last word that one would apply to this man or to his hotels. His hotels convey a sense of sophisticated authenticity to their destinations, while eschewing the pretensions of the grand hotel.

Mr. Ichiro Inumaru, President Emeritus, Imperial Hotel Tokyo
Mr. Inumaru's name is inextricably woven with that of his illustrious hotel, where he began his hospitality career more than six decades ago in 1949, working his way up the ranks. The reward for his labors was his appointment as General Manager in 1970, and later, being named as President in 1986.

*Leading Legends Award Winners were nominated by their fellow hoteliers, and all submissions were reviewed by a panel of judges which included Jean-Jacques Gauer, General Manager, Lausanne Palace & Spa; architect and designer Donald Goo; Travel + Leisure's Editor in Chief and Editorial Director of American Express Publishing Corporation, Nancy Novogrod; and renowned hotelier, Georg Rafael.

Commitment to Excellence Awards
The company presented the Fifth Annual Commitment to Excellence Awards, acknowledging hotels whose concept of service extends beyond their immediate walls, and whose exceptional efforts exert a positive impact on our world in the areas of the environment, community outreach and cultural support.

Commitment to the Environment
Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, Blue Mountains, Australia

Commitment to the Community
The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam

Commitment to Culture
Halekulani, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

Commitment to Quality
The winners of the Ninth Annual Commitment to Quality Awards were also announced, with members in five regions: Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia & Pacific, North America, and South America, Mexico, and The Caribbean. The winners were those properties which achieved the highest Leading Quality Assurance scores during the period from July 2009 to June 2010.

Europe
Hotel Metropole, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Carlton Hotel, St. Moritz, Switzerland

Middle East and Africa
La Cigale Hotel, Doha, Qatar
The Residence Tunis, Les Cotes de Carthage,Tunisia

Asia/Pacific
One&Only Reethi Rah, North Male Atoll, Republic of Maldives
The Chedi Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand

North America
Encantado - An Auberge Resort, Santa Fe, NM, USA
SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV, USA

South America, Mexico and the Caribbean
Emiliano, São Paulo, Brazil
Hotel Fasano São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Leaders Club Awards
The winners of the Twelfth Annual Leaders Club Awards were revealed. The principal criteria in determining the winners were responses to post-stay questionnaires and letters received by the Leaders Club Services Department from Club members themselves.

This year's winners of the Leaders Club Guest Recognition Awards of Excellence were Hotel de Paris, Monte Carlo, Monaco; Hotel Sacher Wien, Vienna, Austria; and Excelsior Hotel Ernst, Cologne, Germany.

Grand Prize Awards
Hotels that ranked number one in each of their categories also were honored on the closing night of the convention. Each winner received a watch provided by long-time Leading Hotels sponsor and supporter Blancpain, and a special trophy from Tiffany.

The Grand Prize Winners were:

Leaders Club Grand Prize Winner
Hotel de Paris, Monte Carlo, Monaco

Commitment to Quality Grand Prize Winner
Hotel Metropole, Monte Carlo, Monaco

Commitment to Excellence Grand Prize Winner
Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, Blue Mountains, Australia

About The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd.
The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. is the prestigious luxury hospitality organization representing over 430 of the world's finest hotels, resorts and spas. Its mission is to curate and champion an exclusive collection of independent properties, including grand palaces and intimate city hideaways, luxury tent enclaves and expansive self-contained resorts. Established in 1928 by several influential and forward-thinking European hoteliers, it started with 38 initial members. Honoring this tradition, the company recognizes the strength and appeal of each hotel lies in its distinctiveness, innovation and relationship to its destination. Its loyal customers demand levels of quality they have come to expect of the brand, while seeking authentic and enriching travel experiences. To be considered for inclusion, a hotel must adhere to strict quality standards and master the art of extraordinary hospitality. Leading Hotels are bound together in excellence, yet unique in character.