Dubai - BURJ Al Arab triumphed at the DEPA Middle East Hotel Awards, beating three entries to be named Middle East Hotel of the Year.
The awards, bestowed by an independent panel of international judges, were presented during a glittering ceremony at Dubai's Madinat Jumeirah attended by more than 750 people from the international hotel and tourism sector.
The One & Only Royal Mirage, Dubai scooped the Middle East Resort Property of the Year while Intercontinental Phoenicia, Beirut was named Business Hotel of the Year. The trophy for New Business Hotel went to the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai and The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa won Hotel Spa Facility of the Year.
A clearly delighted Marc Dardenne from The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai was crowned Hotel Manager of the Year. He was joined on stage by an equally thrilled Alyssa Palagnas from The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai as Young Hotelier of the Year.
Now in their fourth year, the DEPA Middle East Hotel Awards are designed to recognise and reward outstanding service, performance and creativity by the region's hotels and hospitality professionals.
DEPA Chief Executive Officer, Mohannad Sweid said, "DEPA has been working with the region's hotels for the past 30 years. We are absolutely delighted for the winners although it must be stressed that each and every entry exemplified excellence in all the categories."
Head of the judging panel, Stephen Head, Managing Partner, Conseil International UK Limited, added: "The judges were faced with a truly daunting task. The standard of entries was outstanding in all areas and deciding the winners was not easy. As head of the panel and on behalf of all the judges, I'd like to extend our heartiest congratulations to every hotel that entered. All were worthy contenders."
The full list of winners and highly commended nominees:
The Middle East Hotel of the Year - Burj Al-Arab Hotel, Dubai.
The Middle East Resort Property of the Year - The One & Only Royal Mirage Hotel, Dubai.
Business Hotel of the Year - Intercontinental Pheonicia, Beirut.
New Hotel of the Year - Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.
Hotel and Spa Facility of the Year - The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa.
Convention, Conference and Banquet Facilities Award - J.W. Marriott, Dubai.
Food and Beverage Award - The China Club, Intercontinental, Dubai.
Hotel Advertising Campaign of the Year - Le Meridien Al-Aqah Beach Resort.
Commitment to Quality Award - The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai.
Energy Conservation and Environmental Awareness Award - Towers Rotana Hotel, Dubai.
Excellence in Interior Design Award - Shangri La Hotel, Dubai.
Human Resource Development Award - The Fairmont Hotel, Dubai.
Hotel Manager of the Year Award - Marc Dardenne (The Ritz Carlton, Dubai).
Young Hotelier of the Year Award - Alyssa Palagnas, (The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai).
© Khaleej Times 2005
