BOUTIQUE HOTEL AWARDS REVIEW

2012 Edition

To participate in the awards, or to make worldwide reservations visit www.boutiquehotelawards.com

WELCOME
- BIENVENIDO - BIENVENUE WILLKOMEN BENVENUTI VLKOMMEN - BEM-VINDO -

The first edition of the Boutique Hotel Awards Review showcases the outstanding winners of the
inaugural Boutique Hotel Awards 2011. In an ever-shrinking world of globalised brands and international hotel chains, a truly individual experience is a rare find. However, there are a number of hidden gems around the world which retain their individuality through their small size and keen sense of style and culture. The Boutique Hotel Awards look to provide such establishments with the acclaim and reward that they so dearly deserve, championing hotels that possess a unique character whilst still providing world-class services and facilities. The winners will deliver to their guests in every possible way, demonstrating unsurpassed excellence in each category. However, more importantly successful candidates will be capable of transporting their guests into a novel world through the history of the location, its culture and its own stylistic flair. A Boutique Hotel Award winner's service will be intuitive, their environment intimate and the experience priceless. To find such hotels, we use an evaluation process which is unique in its ability to aid the difficult comparison between hotels that are, by definition, different. To nominate a hotel, participate in the awards, or make a booking visit www.boutiquehotelawards.com. Alternatively, you can contact the Boutique Hotel Awards team by email (info@boutiquehotelawards.com) or by telephone (0044 20 3151 1688).

Boutique Hotel Awards Head Office 47 Thornbury Gardens London, WD6 1RB info@boutiquehotelawards.com +0044 20 3151 1688 www.boutiquehotelawards.com
To participate in the awards, or to make worldwide reservations visit www.boutiquehotelawards.com

BOUTIQUE HOTEL AWARDS REVIEW 2011

BEST CITY HOTEL Winner - Hansar Bangkok (Bangkok, Thailand) Runner-up - Secret de Paris (Paris, France) BEST CLASSIC HOTEL Winner - Relais Borgo Santo Pietro (Tuscany, Italy) Runner-up - Hotel Diplomat (Stockholm, Sweden) BEST DESIGN HOTEL Winner - The Giri Residence (Ibiza, Spain) Runner-up - Hotel Stureplan (Stockholm, Sweden) BEST HONEYMOON HOTEL Winner - Jardins Secrets (Nimes, France) Runner-up - Paradise Sun Praslin (Seychelles) BEST SPA HOTEL Winner - Relais La Sommita (Ostuni, Italy) Runner-up - AbAC (Barcelona, Spain) BEST BEACH HOTEL Winner - Rest Detail Hotel (Hua Hin, Thailand) Runner-up - The Inn at English Harbour (Antigua) 25 27 21 23 17 19 13 15 9 11 5 7

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AWARDS CEREMONY INFORMATION MEDIA PARTNERS CONTACT DETAILS

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HANSAR BANGKOK
Bangkok, Thailand Winner Best City Hotel

Despite being located in the busy heart of downtown Bangkok, Hansar incorporates green concepts
and designs throughout. Its living wall protects from both noise and air pollution and greenery extends into the lobby and even to the guests bedrooms through features such as the tropical garden wall. Executive Chef Chatree Wongsriphaisan is on hand to provide guests with a creative collection of novel dishes. In one of the most desirable districts of the city and offering a truly modern and tranquil environment, Hansar Bangkok is the perfect inner-city sanctuary.

The meaning of 'Hansar' is happiness. We have tried to use the concept of nature throughout our hotel to make the guests happy. When people come to stay in our hotel, they find a sanctuary in the hectic city of Bangkok
Boon Chaya, Owner

www.hansarbangkok.com

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To participate in the awards, or to make worldwide reservations visit www.boutiquehotelawards.com

SECRET DE PARIS
Paris, France Runner-up Best City Hotel

The Secret de Paris offers a quirky encapsulation of the Parisian experience through its uniquely themed
bedrooms. Guests can explore Pariss greatest attractions: the Eiffel Tower, Muse dOrsay, Trocadero, Moulin Rouge, Opera Garnier and the studios of citys many artists and then return to the hotel to relax in a room exquisitely modelled on one of the same iconic themes. Secret de Paris invites you to experience and absorb the city for the entirety of your stay.

With the transparency that the Internet provides, guests no longer seek out hotel chains for security, to know that a set of standards will be maintainednow they are looking for an experience, an adventure. We have tried to offer the unique experience of travelling whilst staying still
Adis Sehovic, Manager

www.hotel-design-secret-de-paris.com
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To participate in the awards, or to make worldwide reservations visit www.boutiquehotelawards.com

RELAIS BORGO SANTO PIETRO

Tuscany, Italy Winner Best Classic Hotel

were particularly impressed by the Borgo Santo Pietro's ability to weave historic charm with modern luxury. This 13th-century villa has been expertly restored and furnished with a collection of antiques, murals and oil paintings carefully chosen by owners Jeanette and Claus Thottrup. Guests are invited to explore the surrounding 12-acre grounds, enjoying rose-scented walks, grass tennis courts, and a vegetable and herbal garden. The garden produce is used in the hotel's gourmet organic kitchen, offering seasonal dishes made with extra care. Borgo Santo Pietro provides exclusivity and a uniqueness of experience: as relaxed as staying with friends but with the extravagance and indulgence of a truly world class hotel.

We

Historic charm exquisitely woven with modern luxury We are very proud to have won the award
Award Judge Jeanette and Claus Thottrup, Owners

www.borgosantopietro.com
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HOTEL DIPLOMAT
Stockholm, Sweden Runner-up Best Classic Hotel

This beautiful Art Nouveau building is located on one of Stockholms most fashionable boulevards.
Commissioned by King Oscar II in1911 as one of the first buildings on the Strandvagen boulevard, this family-owned hotel maintains a strong sense of accessible charm and luxury. The elegant room design is perfectly offset by the vibrant and hugely popular T-BAR restaurant on the ground floor, which connects the more private areas of the hotel to the city of Stockholm.

a strong sense of accessible charm and luxury

Award Judge

We are very proud of our title: Runner-up Best Classic Hotel. Our guests should feel welcome in our beautiful hotel which has a tradition since the early 1900s of providing modern, stylish and high class luxury
Maria Bergerbrant, Head of Marketing

www.diplomathotel.com
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GIRI RESIDENCE
Ibiza, Spain Winner Best Design Hotel

Superb attention to detail paid to every inch of this stunning hotel. The Giri Residence and associated Giri Caf are distinctive as individual ventures, yet it is clear that the same creative team is behind both. Set in a 150 year-old estate, the Giri residence offers its guests a relaxing getaway from the vibrant culture of Ibiza. What really impressed us about the design of the Giri is that, despite its exotic beauty, the hotel manages to maintain a warm, welcoming ambience. Not one to be missed.
The award is a highly appreciated acknowledgement of years of hard work turning The Giri Residence into what it is today. Being a very small operation without means for heavy exposure, but having received lots of positive attention from our clients since our opening two years ago, the award is a milestone for us in terms of public attention Lars Holm Hansen, Owner

www.thegiri.com
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HOTEL STUREPLAN
Stockholm, Sweden Runner-up Best Design Hotel

-century building in the heart of Stockholm, Hotel Stureplan has a strong design concept which uses the different room styles to great effect. The Classic Rooms are decorated in the 18th-century Gustavian style and feature high ceilings and chandeliers. The Junior Suites offer a contemporary twist on a traditional design, and the Loft Rooms offer an inventive use of the top floor space, with charming quirks and design features such as exposed roof ridges and skylights. A real feast for the eyes.

Housed in an elegant 19

th

Since opening our hotel we have enjoyed several fine industry nominations and awards, but few have seen so many valid contestants and therefore our runner-up position feels just as if it was a victory
Jrgen Bjrnstad, Owner and Director, Hotel Stureplan

www.hotelstureplan.se

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JARDINS SECRETS
Nimes, France Winner Best Honeymoon Hotel

Jardins Secrets is a fantastical spring of 18th-century luxury. The details of the lavish decor and meticulously chosen antiques show the considerable care taken by the owners. In each corner lies a new discovery: take a walk down long corridors that sparkle with cascades of chandeliers; admire the Romanesque cloister; or enjoy a drink at the sophisticated bar, complete with 16th-century Indian wall hangings. Lovers can unwind on sofas in front of roaring fires or in romantic treatments for two offered in the hotels private spa. With so many secluded spots its easy to be seduced by Jardins Secrets.

The clues to its location and style are very much in the name. Hidden away down a city side street,

We feel very pleased to have won the Best Honeymoon Hotel award. It's an good opportunity for small hotels to distinguish themselves away from the big hotel groups and chains
Christophe Valentin, Owner

www.jardinssecrets.net
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PARADISE SUN
Seychelles Runner-up Best Honeymoon Hotel

This hotel has all the ingredients for an idyllic honeymoon destination pristine white coral sands, the
aquamarine warm waters of the Indian Ocean, and the kaleidoscopic tropical gardens. Inside, elegantly designed rooms combine natural materials to provide a fluid transition from the outside spaces. The friendly staff and management allow you to enjoy the privacy of this island location, while all the time giving the impression that no request is too much trouble from arrival to departure.

all the ingredients for an idyllic honeymoon

Award Judge

www.paradisesunhotel.com
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RELAIS LA SOMMITA
Ostuni, Italy Winner Best Spa Hotel

This contemporary hideaway is set on the hilltop of Ostuni. Sweeping views from the patio take in the surrounding whitewashed rooftops, all the way down to the glistening Adriatic Sea.
In the health and beauty centre, natural treatments are designed to restore and rejuvenate their guests. The kitchen serves up fresh, organic ingredients that pay tribute to the local traditional cuisine. What really took our breath way was the sense of privacy, intimacy and tranquillity that radiates through this hotel, providing a fairy-tail retreat from the demands of our busy lives.

a fairytale hilltop retreat

Award Judge

www.lasommita.it

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ABAC
Barcelona, Spain Runner-up Best Spa Hotel

The ABaC private spa is a delight for the senses. The beautifully designed 1500 sq ft space houses a
hot-water spa with immersed massage chairs, a steam room, rain showers, heated stone relaxation chairs, and a cold water plunge pool. Not to mention the wide range of spa therapies available to its guests. The ABaC Restaurant and Hotel has a lot more to offer its guest than its spa. Its modern design and welcoming staff give it an impressive air of exclusivity, privacy, and sophistication.

exclusivity, privacy and sophistication

Award Judge

www.abacbarcelona.com

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REST DETAIL HOTEL

Hua Hin, Thailand Winner Best Beach Hotel

Overlooking the gulf of Siam, the hotel compliments the relaxed atmosphere of the region using its

charming 'three wise monkeys' design concept, a facet seamlessly integrated into all areas of the guests' experience. We were particularly impressed by the staff's unimposing and yet attentive service, which epitomises the very best in hospitality. The style, size and character of the rooms show a great diversity. Traditional Thai cuisine is enjoyed alongside panoramic views of the ocean, another example of how this excellent beach hotel allows its guests to indulge in the relaxed atmosphere of its location.

unimposing yet attentiveepitomises the very best in hospitality

Award Judge

...This award is a testament to the great spirit in which this hotel is presented...
Supranee Nillpong, Executive Secretary

www.restdetailhotel.com
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THE INN AT ENGLISH HARBOUR

Antigua Runner-up Best Beach Hotel

This secluded beach-side hotel is perfectly designed to allow its guests to relax and enjoy the scenic
beauty of the southern coast of Antigua. In terms of aesthetic, the Inn Hotel is particularly distinctive in its colonial style architecture and spacious layout. The hotel has 28 rooms spread across 19 acres of green landscaped gardens, providing its guests with their own private haven.

privacy, seclusion, and relaxation in a stunning location

Award Judge

www.theinn.ag
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AWARDS CEREMONY
The 2011 Boutique Hotel Awards were held at the St James's Hotel and Club in London on 2nd December 2011. From a pool of 160 excellent small luxury hotels and resorts we were proud to honour the 12 winners in each category. Todays boutique hotels must be quick to adapt, with a keen sense of the changing needs and desires of the discerning luxury traveller. Communicating the character of a hotels surroundings, history and personality to their guests is an achievement that few of even the finest hotels in the world can lay claim to. But our Winners do this and more. Their dedication to providing a restorative, relaxing and engaging experience is second to none, but above all the experience they create is undeniably, irrefutably unique. The 2011 Boutique Hotel Awards trophies were presented by Maya Olesen, Miss Denmark 2011.

To participate in the awards, or to make worldwide reservations visit www.boutiquehotelawards.com

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Photographer: Stephen Johanson

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Photographer: Stephen Johanson

To participate in the awards, or to make worldwide reservations visit www.boutiquehotelawards.com

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AWARDS INFORMATION
IMPORTANT DATES
o o o o

Closing date for nominations: 1 July 2012 Closing date for participation: 31 August 2012 Finalists announced: 12 September 2012 Winners announced at annual awards ceremony: 1 November 2012

NOMINATIONS PROCESS
o o o o

Any luxury boutique hotel is eligible for nomination. Nominations for the Boutique Hotel Awards are open until 1 July 2012. Nominations are open to any individual or organisation that wishes to enter a hotel for consideration in the Boutique Hotel Awards. Self-nominations are accepted. Hotels can be nominated for one of eight Boutique Hotel Awards. They are: Best Beach Hotel, Best City Hotel, Best Classic Hotel, Best Design Hotel, Best Dining Hotel, Best Honeymoon Hotel, Best New Hotel and Best Spa Hotel. Nominations are conducted online. Visit http://www.boutiquehotelawards.com/nominate.php to make a nomination.

PARTICIPATION PROCESS
o o o o o o o o

Each nominated hotel will be researched by our Awards Judges with the help of various industry contacts. Tailored interviews shall then be arranged and conducted with a member of the hotel's managerial staff. Interviews shall be conducted by an Award Judge in person or by telephone. The interview will assess whether the nominated hotel is suitable to contend in the Boutique Hotel Awards. Questions shall not be disclosed prior to interview. Hotels successful in interview will be invited to participate in an agreed category. Participating hotels are required to pay a fee of 460 for full participation in the Awards process. Payment must be made upon submission of the administration form. Participating hotels may choose to be considered for just one award category only with each participation. Each participating hotel is automatically considered for the Best Overall Hotel Award in addition to their chosen category. Entry into future Boutique Hotel Awards is granted to all hotels that reach the participation stage.

EVALUATION AND AWARDS PROCESS

o o

All participating hotels are evaluated by our Awards Committee and prospective finalists are chosen in each category. Prospective finalists are then individually reviewed by one or more Boutique Hotel Awards judges.
To participate in the awards, or to make worldwide reservations visit www.boutiquehotelawards.com

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o o o

Elements of design and concept, dining and entertainment, facilities, location and service will be included in this review. Finalist status is either confirmed or rejected at this stage; the list of finalists is then sent to the Awards Committee. The full list of finalists will be announced on 12 September 2012. The Awards Committee evaluate the hotel reviews of each finalist and select one winner in each category and one overall winner. The Boutique Hotel Awards Winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony held on 1st November 2012.

To participate in the awards, or to make worldwide reservations visit www.boutiquehotelawards.com

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MEDIA PARTNERS
Five Star Magazine is a stylish publication that features, reviews and promotes outstanding luxury hotels and luxury service providers available in their vicinity. From fine dining restaurants and luxury spas to chauffeurs, personal concierge, handmade or personalised products, businesses providing sports cars, helicopters or private jets for hire, and bespoke luxury activities and experiences. Five Star Magazine is a collectors magazine in the shape of a coffee table book. With a highly targeted readership of over 80,000 subscribers, this is a publication for the discerning modern traveller who expects the highest standards of service from the hotels they visit, for luxury and boutique hotel lovers who travel to experience the best hotels in the world. Visit www.fivestarmagazine.co.uk for further information.

Hotel Designs is an online magazine featuring daily news and reviews on new hotels, interior design and architecture, directory, employment vacancies, events, gallery, discussion area, downloads and newsletter archive. They use social media channels including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to promote content as well as send out up to five newsletters per week to over 11,000 industry professionals including hoteliers, architects, and interior designers. Visit www.hotelsdesign.net for further information.

I-escape is dedicated to helping discerning independent travellers find and book exciting and unusual places to stay in some of the world's most beautiful and fascinating locations. Widely recognised as the web's most prestigious guide to boutique hotels, chic villas and stylish guesthouses, it has received rave reviews, from press and public alike, for its reliable information, honest reporting, clickable photos, clean design, complete absence of paid advertising and its general ease of use. To browse their collection and make your reservations visit www.i-escape.com.

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CONTACT DETAILS
Please direct all enquiries to: info@boutiquehotelawards.com Telephone: +0044 20 3151 1688 Boutique Hotel Awards Head Office 47 Thornbury Gardens, London, WD6 1RB www.boutiquehotelawards.com

To participate in the awards, or to make worldwide reservations visit www.boutiquehotelawards.com

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