Elite lobby group - Best Business Hotels in Asia Awards in Singapore - Brief Article

Business Asia, Oct, 2000

THE CREAM of Asia's business hotel sector was out in force at the Best Business Hotels in Asia Awards in Singapore last month.

For the second year in a row, the Ritz-Carlton Millenia scooped the pool, being named best overall hotel in the Asia-Pacific region and the best hotel in Singapore.

The awards, jointly organised by Business Asia and Bloomberg Television, have now been running for three years and are designed to recognise the importance of business travel to the region.

Finalists from 14 Asia-Pacific countries gathered at a glittering awards ceremony held at the Milennia, at which the Minister of Trade and Industry for Singapore, Lim Swee Say, was the special guest.

The Millenia, which opened in 1996, also won both titles last year, beating out some of the finest hotels in the world.

General manager Nicholas Clayton attributes the hotel's success to getting the "fine touches" right, such as great service, providing spectacular views and quality of workmanship.

The Ritz-Carlton chain was the big winner on the night.

Apart from the Millenia's double triumph, other Ritz-Carlton hotels that were voted best business hotels in their respective countries were The Portman Ritz-Carlton Shanghai; The Ritz-Carlton Seoul and the Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur.

The Ritz in Kuala Lumpur has now won its country category for three straight years. General manager Jonathan Campbell said: "I commend the ladies and gentlemen of the Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur whose hard work and dedication have achieved such a prestigious award."

His comments were part of a theme of the night centred on the region's outstanding staff.

Accepting the New Zealand award for the George Hotel in Christchurch, general manager Mark Dakin paid tribute to his staff "who enthusiastically maintain the hotel's unique culture that places total focus on guest satisfaction -- the success of which has seen the hotel forge an enviable reputation both locally and internationally".

Other significant achievements in this year's awards were The Peninsula Bangkok's dual wins as best Thai hotel and provider of the Best Hotel Conference Facilities in Asia. The latter was a new category this year.

Earlier this year, a panel of judges shortlisted hotels for the awards.

Votes were then made by readers of Business Asia magazine and viewers of Bloomberg Television. The votes were counted and tallied in Sydney.

More than 80 hotels competed as finalists in this year's awards across 14 country sectors.

HONOUR ROLL 2000

OVERALL BEST BUSINESS HOTEL
IN ASIA
BEST BUSINESS HOTEL
IN SINGAPORE
Winner: The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL
IN AUSTRALIA
Winner: Park Hyatt Sydney

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN CHINA
Winner: The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN HONG KONG
Winner: JW Marritt Hotel Hong Kong

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN INDIA
Winner: Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN INDONESIA
Winner: Grand Hyatt Jakarta

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN JAPAN
Winner: Imperial Hotel, Tokyo

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN MALAYSIA
Winner: The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL
IN NEW ZEALAND
Winner: The George Christchurch

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL
IN PHILIPPINES
Winner: Mandarin Oriental Manila

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL
IN SOUTH KOREA
The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL
IN THAILAND
BEST HOTEL CONFERENCE
FACILITIES IN ASIA
Winner: The Peninsula, Bangkok

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL
IN TAIWAN
Winner: Grand Hyatt Taipei

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN VIETNAM
Winner: Hilton Hanoi Opera

BEST NEW HOTEL
Winner: The Westin, Sydney

BEST AIRPORT HOTEL IN ASIA
Winner: Pan Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur
International Airport