World Luxury Hotel Awards 2008 Winner

The gala ceremony was opened by the Provincial Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism in the Western Cape, MEC Garth Strachan with a key note address to the distinguished gathering from all across the globe. “The sheer number of participants in my humble view shows that there is indeed a demand internationally for an award system for Luxury Hotels, Lodges and Resorts”, said Brandon Lournes, CEO and Founder of World Luxury Hotel Awards.

The ‘World Luxury Hotel Awards’ are accepted as the pinnacle of achievement for Luxury Hotels worldwide. This Award was established as a celebration of ultimate achievement in hoteliering. It is about congratulating hotels that have taken the extra step and have as such differentiated themselves from “good hotels” to “exceptional hotels”. The World Luxury Hotel Awards accounts for all categories in the Luxury Hotel industry. Award winners set the benchmark for luxury hotels in achieving recognition for their world class facilities and service excellence.

Hulhule Island Hotel was one of the three finalists under the ‘Luxury Airport Hotel’ category of ‘World Luxury Hotel Awards 2008’ – the other two finalists being, the newly opened Crowne Plaza Hotel, Singapore and Emperor’s Palace, South Africa – each with more than 300 rooms. During the award ceremony, Hulhule Island Hotel was officially declared the ‘Winner’ under the ‘Luxury Airport Hotel’ category.

Hulhule Island Hotel was officially inaugurated by His Excellency Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, President of Republic of Maldives in 2001. Since then, the Hotel has been a key member of the travel and trade business in the Maldives. The Hotel has become well-known for its excellent services and the hospitality offered to tourists.

Hulhule Island Hotel has 136 rooms in all inclusive of various categories of rooms on offer including Superior, Deluxe, Super Deluxe, Super Deluxe with Jacuzzi and the Suites. The facilities for the guests at the hotel include the Spa, Gymnasium, Swimming Pool, Beach area,Landscaping, Tennis court, Golf putting green and extensive Food & Beverage options. The diverse dining selections include a rooftop restaurant ‘Uduvilaa’ with a panoramic view of both Male and the Indian Ocean catering to the multi-cuisine creations for the International clientele.

It is worth mentioning that Hulhule Island Hotel was adjudged as the ‘Best Culinary Establishment’ at Maldives in the Hotel Asia Exhibition & Culinary Challenge successively twice i.e. in 2006 and 2008. Hulhule Island Hotel is an ISO 9001-2000 certified hotel and has also been certified for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) which is unarguably the ultimate food safety certification worldwide, with a reputation of covering A-Z of the food processing cycle, right from purchase and selection of suppliers, to the storage, preparation and service of the food products.

On receiving this coveted award, Mr. Utkarsh Faujdar, General Manager – Hulhule Island Hotel stated ecstatically, “This is indeed recognition of the par excellence Hulhule Island Hotel has attained by achieving the highest standards in the hospitality industry”. He further added “The relentless efforts of the team have been instrumental in bringing this International award of repute to the Republic of Maldives.”

The Maldives has been nominated as the Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination, whilst The Male’ International Airport has been nominated as the Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport. In addition to the above, the following resorts and companies have been nominated:

-Indian Ocean’s Leading Boutique Hotel category:
Dhoni Mighili (Dhoni Mighili, Maldives)
Maafushi (The Rania Experience, Maldives)

-Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort category:
Soneva Fushi Resort & Spa, Maldives

-Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Resort category:
Angsana Resort & Spa, Maldives
Banyan Tree Maldives, Vabbinfaru
Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel category:
Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island
Soneva Gili, Maldives
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives

-Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort category:
Coco Palm, Dhuni Kolhu
Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
Huvafen Fushi, Maldives
Kurumba, Maldives
Soneva Gili, Maldives
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives

-Indian Ocean’s Leading Spa Resort category:
Baros, Maldives
Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
Huvafen Fushi, Maldives
Island Hideaway at Dhonakulhi Spa & Resort & Marina, Maldives
Soneva Fushi Resort & Spa, Maldives

-Indian Ocean’s Leading Travel Agency category:
Go Maldives
Vermillion International

Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as the “Travel industry’s equivalent to the Oscars”, the World Travel Awards are the most comprehensive and most prestigious awards program in the global travel industry. The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the world’s travel and tourism industry. The winners of the World Travel Awards are based on thousands of votes cast by travel professionals from 167,000 travel agencies in over 160 countries across the globe.

The voting for this year’s Indian Ocean Awards is open until 21st July 2008. Votes can be casted by registering and logging into the voting system available at www.worldtravelawards.com.

Last year Maldives won the Indian Ocean’s Leading Destinations Award and Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destinations Award. MTPB also won the Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist and Visitor Bureau Award and Maldives Tourism industry won awards in many categories.