European Hospitality Awards 2015
Winners announced for the 2015 European Hospitality Awards
On the 12th November we celebrated the 6th edition of the European Hospitality Awards at the Royal Garden Hotel. We highlighted and rewarded quality, expertise, innovation and class during the show. The night brought together some of the most iconic hotels and hoteliers from Europe. Our head judge, Derek Wood, took the stage and announced the winners from our outstanding shortlist and were awarded with this year's top prizes.
The evening started with a drinks reception in the Palace Suite where 'Best Hotel Bar' sponsor Erdinger Weissbier welcomed everyone with their newest drink the Pikantus. The German beer brewer had their own mobile bar in the drinks reception and the Royal Garden Hotel served the wines and bubbles. All attendees looked fabulous, the atmosphere was great from the start. All shortlisted hotels were super excited for the night and sponsors, partners and judges mingled the night away.
The EH Awards team, including Award Show Manager Keley van der Velde escorted people to their tables in the ball room where all guests were surprised by the goodie bag that they found at their chair. 'Best Hotel Spa' sponsor GeoSpa in collaboration with Comfort Zone gave away the luxurious bags with their Aromasoul Indian Body cream and product brochures. Once seated people found raffle tickets sponsored by 'Best Use in Technology' sponsor Quadriga who not only supplied the WiFi for everyone at the event but also contributed the prizes for the winners of the draw later on in the night.
The second mobile bar from Erdinger could be found in the back of the ball room and with the Erdinger menu cards on the tables people could order a wide selection of beer. The Royal Garden served a white Chardonnay "Les Vigneaux" Vin De Pays D'Oc Vignerons de la Vicomte and a red Cabernet Sauvignon "Les Vigneaux", Pays D'Oc de la Vicomte.
Richard Crosby - Sales Director Arena International welcomed everyone at the 6th European Hospitality Awards 2015 and introduced host and presenter, Derek Wood who wished everyone a delicious dinner.
The Royal Garden served a over roasted corn-fed pigeon breast, beetroot salad with creme fraiche dressing to start. The main course was a mouth watering roasted rump of English lamb, in a redcurrant jus served with minted mash, a tian of spinach and braised red cabbage. The dinner ended with a bitter lemon tart, creme fraiche sorbet and raspberry jelly.
Derek Wood came back on stage and started the EH Awards ceremony. The most important part of the night finally started and kicked off with the 'Best Green Hotel of the Year'. Eamon Doherty from Ecolab announced the first winner of the night: Amathus Beach Hotel. Amathus Beach hotel was very outstanding and the absolute winner in this category. Our judges were impressed by their creative, cool and innovative ideas. Their geo-exchange
heat recovery system creates free hot water from the sea in summer and they have an olive tree standing within the property for more than 1200 years,"forcing" both the Architects and the management of the hotel to adapt the plans of construction to protect it.
'Best Opening of the Year (New Build) was sponsored by Kuehne + Nagel. EH Awards regular attendee Susannah Eustace brought winner Shangri LA on stage. It was absolutely the biggest opening of 2014 in the UK; outstanding for their impressive architecture of the building, the amazing partnered package 'Room with a View' and the fabulous documentary of 90 minutes made about the whole Opening of the hotel makes The Shangri-La the big winner of this second category.
The third category 'Best Opening of the Year (Renovation and Conversion) sponsored by AEI Communications was announced by Mike Rogers. The Red Carnation Hotel Collection - The Ashford Castle was proud to pick up this trophy. In the opinion of our judges, this hotel won because of a number of very good reasons. The whole renovation costs about $75 million, which includes new facilities, such as: a 32-seat cinema, a billiard room, cigar terrace, boutique shop and tea room, museum and children's playroom.
Other improvements include an underground tunnel that has been transformed into a wine cellar and can also be used for private parties and wine tastings. The original Oak Hall gallery, previously judged unsafe, was fortified and restored and now houses an extensive library and museum of Ashford's history. Just to name a few elements.
Special Commendation for this category was presented by one of our judges Rolf Schmidt and was for Four Seasons Buenos Aires, this hotel did the renovation without closing the hotel for a day.
We continued with the 4th category which was the newest category 'Best Boutique Hotel' sponsored by Waterworks. Steven Toai announced Grace Hotels Santorini as the winning hotel. Most judges simply agreed with the fact this Boutique Hotel is "Effortlessly cool", and that's what makes this hotel the absolute winner.
The winner of the 'Best Hotel Suite' category was announced by Jens-Jörg Majchrzak, Global Project Sales Director from Dornbracht. The Garden House from Rosewood London won because of their 60m2 terrace – that's why it's called the Garden House and is designed by Tony Chi & Associates. The atmosphere described as entertaining, humorous, reflective and relaxing.
James Cannon came on stage and represented Quadriga for the 'Best Use in Technology' category. The judges agreed the winner uses the most outstanding elements in terms of technology; LED Screens, 3D digital artwork, a host of different in room devices, including TV monitors, video-walls and home cinema's. Winner of this category is Hotel NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding.
Simon Jersey sponsored the only personal award 'Best Hotelier of the Year' and on stage came Colin Quigley and Juliette Wilson. The judges found it hard to pick one winner but in the end Ian Edwards has won because of his Good metrics and a cohesive approach to hospitality. He's really put this property on the map, enabling it to occupy a very special place within the UK's hotel scene. And there's clear evidence of the financial results that have been achieved as a result. He displayed great, great leadership and team building expertise. He clearly has great vision and the skills to deliver on this.
The 'Best Hotel Spa' category was sponsored by Geo Spa, Hermann Holme announced the winning project for this category. It was its interior, atmosphere and quality of treatments by La Prairie which brought this entry to the judge's attention. It has been described as an Oasis in the middle of a most fascinating city. It is truly a rejuvenating experience. The winner is Le Bristol Paris - Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie, summarised as: magical, romantic, excellent in service and care, prestigious spa products and an absolutely relaxing environment.
Category 9 Innovation in Service was presented by Justin Devilliers from Tink Labs. He brought on stage the winning project The Kensington Hotel. Excellent service which empowered employees makes this hotel the winner with the most scores and best opinions. Good innovation in-room teepees for kids, good metrics were also named as USP's.
Best Hotel Restaurant was presented by one of our judges Barry Thomas, IT Manager at Rosewood London. Richard Grove, General Manager at the Chester Grosvenor Hotel picked up the trophy for their restaurant Simon Radley at The Chester Grosvenor. The judges consider the Chester Grosvenor to be what is really required here, a consistent model of excellence, not only for any regional hotel restaurant to aspire to, but indeed any restaurant. Its concept has adapted correctly into the right areas, sourcing locally and reflecting the region it is in, increasing its relevance. The commitment to training is yet another admirable reflection of an obviously passionate and committed team there.
Erdinger Weissbrau, category sponsor for Best Hotel Bar - represented by Export Director Ms. Walfraud Kaiser announced 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin - Monkey bar as the winning project. Our judges found this an amazing bar on the 10th floor of the building with Huge glass façades with six-metre-high, full-length windows offer a 360-degree view and spectacular rooftop terrace runs around three sides of the building and speaks for itself and makes this bar a winner.
The second special commendation was for the Best Hotel Group. The judges have seen this Hotel Group participating over the last years on EH Awards and they have always been successful. Although they haven't won an award this year, they have been shortlisted for no less than 10 times within the European Hospitality Awards 2015! This group has more than 350 hotels in more than 30 countries worldwide. Steve Waldron, Financial Controller from Grange Hotels came on stage to present this special rewarding. Winner for Best Hotel Group is Melia Hotels International. Melia had 10 projects shortlisted within 8 categories for this year's awards which is absolutely outstanding. The judges felt that this particular hotel group needed to the rewarded for what is a remarkable achievement.
Last but not least we announced 'Overall Winner of the Night'. Over the last 5 years we always had an absolute 'Overall Winner of the Night'. There was always one hotel that won more than one award which made it easy for the judges and our team. This year it was extremely difficult. Some hotels were shortlisted more than once, other hotels were shortlisted once but the scores from the judges were much higher.
We have decided to announce the Overall Winner of the Year to be the Hotel with the most positive feedback and the highest scores. We did a lot of research and have found out that this hotel is outstanding, over and beyond and extra-ordinary in their personal touch to every single guest. Every guest seemed to have a personal relationship with all staff they have been in touch with, and they all call them by their first name from the waiters in the bar, the chefs in the restaurants or the maid they all have a professional, likeable and service-oriented attitude. The winning hotel offered a faultless level of service which is what makes this hotel an absolute winner.
The sponsor of this category was Rupert Welch who represented Robert Welch. He announced the Kensington Hotel as the big winner of the night. The Kensington Hotel won this category because every all judges gave full points for their 'Innovation in Service' entry. Against all technical trends – they have shown that the personal touch in their service is an absolute USP.
The show ended just after midnight and everyone continued at the bar of the Royal Garden Hotel. Until the early hours of the morning people were celebrating the EH Awards 2015. The European Hospitality Awards wants to congratulate all winners and thank everybody for an amazing night. Special thanks to all sponsors, judges, our host Derek Woods, staff and participating hotels.
Keep Thursday the 3rd of November 2016 free in your calendar
you don't want to miss the EH Awards 2016!
www.arena-international.com/eha
