Top of their game - best business hotels in Asia

Business Asia, Sept, 2001

The Best Business Hotels in Asia Award Winners 2001

THE PORTMAN Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai, has proved that third time's a charm, snaring the top honour of Best Business Hotel in Asia, as well as the category of Best Business Hotel in China for the third year running.

Business travellers across the region also named the Portman Ritz-Carlton as having the Best Hotel Conference Facilities in Asia.

More than 10,000 votes were lodged by Business Asia readers and Bloomberg Television viewers in this year's Best Business Hotels in Asia Awards, making it the most hotly contested and popular year since the Awards' inception in 1998.

More than 80 hotels competed in the 2001 Awards in 14 different country categories, as well as four special sections (Best New Hotel, Best Airport Hotel, Best Hotel Conference Facilities and Best Business Hotel in Asia).

Although The Portman Ritz-Carlton was the outstanding effort of 2001 by snaring three Awards, there were several notable efforts amongst the other category winners.

The Ritz-Carlton Millenia, Singapore -- the 1999 and 2000 winner for Best Business Hotel in Asia category -- continued its winning ways by being voted the Best Business Hotel in Singapore. Rounding off a highly successful year for the Ritz-Carlton group was the Ritz-Carlton Seoul, which snared the honour of Best Business Hotel in South Korea. The Ritz-Carlton Seoul's win follows on from their win in the 2000 Awards.

It was also two years in a row for The Mandarin Oriental Manila, winning the Best Business Hotel in the Philippines category for 2001. Mirroring its sister hotel's win for 2001, The Mandarin Oriental Jakarta was voted as the Best Business Hotel in Indonesia.

The Inter-Continental group also had a strong showing this year, with Japan's Inter-Continental Tokyo Bay and New Zealand's Inter-Continental Wellington picking up the top honours in their respective countries.

In Australia, The Regent Sydney was voted the best, while the Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur received the title of Best Business Hotel in Malaysia, breaking the Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur's three-year winning streak.

Rounding off the list of winners was Le Royal Meridien, Bangkok, for Thailand; the Grand Formosa Regent, Taipei, for Taiwan; and the Hotel Sofitel Plaza Saigon, for Vietnam.

The Westin Taipei made a grand entrance to the region's industry, winning the prestigious title of Best New Hotel in Asia. In its first win at the Best Business Hotels in Asia Awards, Hong Kong's The Regal Airport Hotel took out the Award for Best Airport Hotel.

Superb staff key for Portman Rit blitz

THE PORTMAN Ritz-Carlton blitzed the field in three categories, including the top honour of Best Business Hotel in Asia. General Manager Mark DeCocinis attributes the resounding success to the superb work of his staff.

"We have the best people that are absolutely committed to making guests feel completely at home. They want to accomplish something very special," DeCocinis says.

He believes in doing things right the first time, as not only do guests remember the experience of the hotel, but also Shanghai and China.

For the hotel, winning the awards will give it a great deal of recognition.

"All the loyal guests obviously feel very strongly. This will get the message to the business community and travellers all over the world," he said.

The Portman Ritz-Carlton recognises that business travellers wants fast, reliable service. "We need to provide quick service because business is happening at a fast pace," he said.

DeCocinis believes luxury today is about having one's needs anticipated and taken care of -- a "defect-free environment".

To this end, the hotel is constantly updating. Recent renovations have been carried out throughout the establishment, and plans are underway for enhancing technological services.

OVERALL BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN ASIA
BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN CHINA
BEST HOTEL CONFERENCE FACILITIES IN ASIS

Winner: The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai

The news

Going the extra mile in welcoming newcomers is one example of why the Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai, has been voted best hotel in China. A new initiative set up in anticipation of October's APEC meeting and China's impending WTO membership sees new long-term guests greeted by the Relocation Concierge, who determines special needs and highlights the business norms and social customs of Shanghai. The concierge also proffers advice such as work permit application, a range of educational facilities for guests with school-going children, cultural conduct, and even where to get the best Shanghai dumplings. Two relocation packages are also available, offering such benefits as complimentary laundry, local calls and 20 per cent dining discount in restaurants excluding room service and The Deli. The two-week packages are valid until March 31, 2002 (excluding October 4 to November 14, 2001).

The hotel

The 564 room hotel is the focal point of the Shanghai Centre, a retail, dining and entertainment complex on the famous Nanjing Road in the heart of the city. Services and facilities include six restaurants and lounges serving Chinese, Italian, Japanese and Western favourites, an extensive health club featuring an indoor tennis court and swimming pool, and a 24-hour business centre. Marble baths, individual temperature control and twice daily housekeeping add to the luxury, as well as multi-line telephones, voicemail and data ports. The corporate traveller can take advantage of the concierge service, express check in/out, 24-hour secretarial services and technology butler. The hotel is located only 20 minutes from the Hong Qiao International Airport and 45 minutes from Pudong International Airport.