Leading Hotels of the World Announces Award Winners

COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AWARDS
The company's new President and CEO, Ted Teng presented the Third Annual Commitment to Excellence Awards, which acknowledge 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.

The respective winners for 2008 were:
Hotel de l'Europe - For being the first five-star hotel in Amsterdam to achieve Golden status – the highest ranking – in the Green Key Program, and for launching its Green Reservations initiative supporting conservation of the North Pole through the World Wildlife Fund, Hotel de l'Europe won in the environment category.

Taj Boston - For its ongoing efforts to support The Women's Lunch Place, affording services for women and their children who are homeless or underprivileged, as well as The Longwood Symphony Orchestra and its Healing Art of Music Program, the Taj Boston won in the community category.

Brenner's Park – Hotel & Spa - For its noteworthy "Artists in Residence" program promoting the mutually beneficial relationship between upcoming artists and the cultural richness of Baden-Baden, Brenner's Park – Hotel & Spa won in the culture category.

COMMITMENT TO QUALITY AWARDS
The winners of the Seventh Annual Commitment to Quality Awards were also announced, recognizing Leading Hotels and Leading Small Hotels in five regions: Africa/Middle East, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Mexico/Caribbean/South America, and the United States of America/Canada.

The winners were those properties which achieved the highest scores during their most recent Leading Hotels' anonymous inspections. A special award was also given to the hotel that achieved the highest inspection score overall.

The 2008 winners of the Commitment to Quality Awards included:

Africa and the Middle East
The Chedi Muscat, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates *

Asia & Pacific
The Datai, Langkawi, Malaysia
Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, India *

Europe
Hotel Cipriani & Palazzo Vendramin, Venice, Italy
Hotel Caruso, Ravello, Italy *

Mexico, the Caribbean and South America
One&Only Palmilla, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
Tortuga Bay, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic *

USA & Canada
Island Hotel, Newport Beach, CA, USA
SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV, USA *

Highest Score Overall
Hotel Cipriani & Palazzo Vendramin, Venice, Italy
* denotes a Leading Small Hotel

LEADERS CLUB AWARDS
The winners of the Tenth Annual Leaders Club Awards were revealed at a gala dinner at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum where representatives from the hotels were presented with watches by Alain Delamuraz, vice president and head of marketing, Blancpain. 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.

Taking the Gold Award this year was Shilla Seoul, Seoul, Korea; the Silver Award was presented to San Clemente Palace Hotel & Resort, Venice, Italy; and the Bronze Award went to Hotel Raphael, Paris, France.

JUAN GASPART AWARD
Finally, the winner of Sixth Annual Juan Gaspart Award, recognizing an outstanding employee of a Leading Hotel pursuing a career in the hospitality industry, was announced.
The winner of the award was Mr. Colin Field, head bartender at Ritz Paris. Mr. Field was the author of a 500-word essay on the topic of "Staff Creativity: Helping Hotels Stay Competitive in Challenging Times" selected from dozens submitted from around the world.

Ted Teng, president and chief executive officer of The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd., said, "Throughout our 80-year history, our hotels have set the standards for excellence in hospitality and service. It is our pleasure to recognize their numerous achievements, from providing their guests with the ultimate authentic luxury experience, to their concerted efforts toward promoting responsible tourism, and nurturing the future of our industry."