InterContinental Hotels & Resorts had a successful night at the World Travel Awards 2009 – the most prestigious and sought after awards program in the global travel and tourism industry, receiving awards for World's Leading Hotel Brand, World's Leading New Hotel, as well as 11 other leading hotel categories across different parts of the globe.

The coveted World's Leading New Hotel title went to InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City, the group's first luxury residences in the UAE, specially designed to cater to the needs of extended stay guests. Opened in July 2009, the property offers 212 exceptionally stylish apartments encompassing studios as well as one, two and three bedroom suites. The property also has a Royal Suite penthouse with a private spa treatment room and stunning panoramic creek views.

InterContinental Berchtesgaden Resort won two titles in its country's category – Germany's Leading Resort and Germany's Leading Spa Resort. Blending harmoniously into its natural environments, InterContinental Berchtesgaden Resort lies 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) above sea level on Eckerbichl. Views of the Bavarian Alps stretch in every direction and features include the award-winning Mountain Spa, an outdoor Infinity pool and Michelin-starred Le Ciel restaurant.

Nearly 3000 travel companies were nominated in more than 200 categories in the prestigious ceremony. Other InterContinental Hotels & Resorts award winners include:

• InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa – Australasia's Leading Spa Resort
• InterContinental Prague – Czech Republic's Leading Hotel
• InterContinental Aphrodite Hills Resort Resort – Cyprus's Leading Golf Resort
• InterContinental Hong Kong – Hong Kong's Leading Business Hotel
• InterContinental Almaty – Kazakhstan's Leading Hotel
• InterContinental Wellington – New Zealand's Leading Business Hotel
• InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam – Netherland’s Leading Business Hotel
• InterContinental Playa Bonita Resort – Panama's Leading Resort
• InterContinental Warsaw – Poland's Leading Hotel

The World Travel Awards is now in its 16th year and is voted for by 167,000 travel tourism and hospitality professionals across the globe. Described by the Wall Street Journal as the 'Oscars' of the global travel and tourism industry, the awards are becoming instrumental in increasing international brand recognition and consumer loyalty. For more information on the World Travel Awards, visit http://www.worldtravelawards.com.

More information: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts