South Africa Wins First Place At 2017 Boutique Hotel Awards

As a proudly South African corporate travel agency arranging business, pleasure and bleisure travel destinations, we are exposed to many exotic destinations with all levels of luxury. Part of being a specialist in our field means keeping informed of industry news and updates. None is more newsworthy than South Africa’s Akademie Street Boutique Hotel walking away well-deserved winners at the 2017 Boutique Hotel Award gala Dinner.

This year’s event took place in London featuring the world’s most prestigious boutique hotels. It’s the only international awards organisation dedicated to recognise unique value and excellence among luxury boutique hotels. An array of industry leaders from all around the world were in attendance. Among these were boutique hotel owners, travel and lifestyle press and travel industry influencers from the likes of CNN Travel, The Telegraph, Financial Times, The Sunday Times, Boat International, Elite Traveler and Time Out.

The event which is now in its 7th year, honours the people behind these stunning properties and brings together members of The Master Key Society.

The Importance of the Boutique Hotel Awards

It is the only independent awards organisation in hospitality where each property is personally visited by an experienced hotel judge specialising in each category. The decision is never an easy one but always fair and accurate as each one is judged by means of a true first-hand guest experience at the property.

This year the winners were selected from over 600 nominees from over 80 countries. They were each nominated by a member of the Awards Nomination Committee which consists of 70 leading travel experts who know everything there is about luxury boutique hotels.

From there, hundreds of judge evaluation visits are arranged to each of the shortlisted nominees. The visiting judges document all aspects of the guest experience covering five categories, namely:

1. Dining and entertainment
2. Design
3. Facilities
4. Location
5. Staff service and overall emotional impact

The Awards Panel then studies the detailed evaluations and makes a final decision on Regional and International Award winners.

We’ve listed the 2017 World’s Best Category Winners below:

World’s Best Boutique Hotel

Akademie Street Boutique Hotel, South Africa

• World’s Best Beach or Coastal Hotel: Qualia, Whitsundays, Australia
• World’s Best City Hotel: The Serras Hotel, Barcelona, Spain
• World’s Best Classic Hotel: The Chester Grosvenor, England
• World’s Best Culinary Hotel: Vila Joya, Algarve, Portugal
• World’s Most Inspired Design Hotel: Ca Maria Adele, Venice, Italy
• World's Best Honeymoon Hideaway: Carpe Diem, Santorini, Greece
• World’s Best New Hotel: Kensho, Mykonos, Greece
• World's Best Relaxation Retreat: Castello Di Guarene, Italy
• World's Most Romantic Hotel: Aenaon Villa, Greece
• World's Most Sustainable Hotel: Cottar’s Safari Lodge, Nairobi, Kenya
• World's Best Wellness Spa: Lefay Resort & Spa, Gargnano, Italy

A Word From The Winners

Paul Kinney, owner of Akademie Street Boutique Hotel and winner of the World’s Best Boutique Hotel 2017 had the following to say, “I’m humbled to accept this award and want to congratulate everyone in the room for their achievements. On behalf of all our team in South Africa, we’re honoured to be here and are inspired to be different and unique as you all are."

We can’t speak for the entire country but we should all be extremely proud of their achievement. For more information and comments from the event, please read the article by Travel Daily News.

If you need an expert, industry-leading corporate travel agency in your corner, get in touch with TravelManor today. We provide a total travel solution; financially efficient and stress-free.