Awards of Excellence Winners Announced at ULTRA Summit

chicagoLuxury Travel Advisor, part of Questex Travel Group, honored the 2013 Awards of Excellence winners during a commemoration ceremony held at the Langham, Chicago. Coinciding with Luxury Travel Advisor’s second annual ULTRA Summit, the cocktail party brought together leading travel agency owners and managers to pay homage to the Awards of Excellence nominees and winners. In addition to honoring the winners with an awards ceremony, Luxury Travel Advisor will feature them in an upcoming 2014 issue.

Every year, Luxury Travel Advisor’s Awards of Excellence spotlights suppliers that deliver outstanding experiences and provide top-notch service around the world. The Awards of Excellence Advisory Board, an invitation-only panel of travel advisors that have been featured on the cover of Luxury Travel Advisor, hand-selects a collection of hotels, cruise lines, restaurants and individuals. The publication’s travel advisor readership determined the winners through an online ballot that ran January and February, 2014.

“As traveler preferences demand a higher level of service with every new hotel opening, tour, flight and cruise itinerary, luxury travel suppliers are increasingly called upon to evolve the ultra-luxury landscape,” remarked Ruthanne Terrero, vice president of content and editorial director for Questex Travel Group. “This year’s Awards of Excellence winners signify that ultra-luxury suppliers continue to exceed traveler expectations through service paramount to the best the industry has to offer.”

The 2013 Awards of Excellence Winners

Best Cruise Line for Ocean Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best Cruise Line for Small Ships

Seabourn Cruise Line

Best River Cruise Company
AmaWaterways

Airlines: Best Flat-Bed Business Class Service

Singapore Airlines

Best FIT Operator
Abercrombie & Kent

Best Local Destination Management Company
Exeter International

Best Authentic Experience Series
The Corinthia Hotel London: Downton Abbey Town-and-Country Experience

Best Train Experience
Rocky Mountaineer

Best Hotel Villa
Residences on Grace Bay, Grace Bay Resort, Turks & Caicos

Best Rooftop Bar
Jimmy at The James New York

Most Anticipated New Hotel Opening
Peninsula Paris

Top Europe Hotel Opening in 2013
Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg

Top Africa, Indian Ocean or Middle East Hotel Opening in 2013
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi

Top Asia Hotel Opening in 2013
Park Hyatt Siem Reap

Top North America Hotel Opening in 2013 
NOBU at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas

Best Hotel Renovation/Reinvention Worldwide
The Gritti Palace, Venice

Best Hotel in the Caribbean
Four Seasons Nevis

Best Hotel in Mexico
Four Seasons Punta Mita

Best Pet-Friendly Hotel Worldwide
Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

Best Hotel Worldwide
Four Seasons Bora Bora

Top General Manager Worldwide
Karen Whitt, The Regent Palms, Turks and Caicos

Best Hotel Bar, Paris
Le Bar at Four Seasons Hotel George V

Best Afternoon Tea, London
Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

Best Chauffeured Services Worldwide
Carey International

Top Hotel for Jetsetters Worldwide
St. Regis Bora Bora