Roam, sweet roam                       (Events)



Last night saw Condé Nast Traveller magazine deliver the glitter of its 11th Annual Readers’ Travel Awards. Of course, it's more than glitter - the ceremony is a barometer of what's best in travel and leisure, as decided by the magazine's circa 100k monthly readers.               Bethany Hutton-Stigga   (3 Sept'09)

The Royal Institution of Great Britain set the scene for the event and RedKarpet saw the 2009 favourites emerge.

Best UK City
London was voted the UK's best city once again by Condé Nast Traveller readers. It scored highly in food/restaurants, nightlife/entertainment and accommodation.
However, it was Manchester that won the plaudit for best value while Oxford scored highest for aesthetics/architecture while Brighton was deemed to have the friendliest residents. Edinburgh retained its position as the second favourite city and Liverpool took third place once again.

Best UK Hotels

The Best Leisure category was topped by Babington House in Somerset– with Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire coming a very close second.

Claridge’s won best UK Business hotel and eight of the top ten hotels in this section are based in London.

The Overseas Business Hotels category was led by The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul. The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong came in second and was followed by Four Seasons Hotel Milano and Park Hyatt Tokyo.

"We are extremely proud and honoured for the accolades we've received from such a prestigious travel authority as Condé Nast Traveller. The awards are attributable to the hard work of our colleagues and highlight our commitment to excellence and delighting our guests." Christoph Mares, Director of Operations, Mandarin Oriental EMEA
 

 Best Airline 

 Virgin Atlantic was voted best airline for long-haul leisure and British Airways retained the Best Business airline accolade. BMI led the short-haul leisure category and EasyJet took favourite low-cost airline. Beijing Capital International, China flew into top place as a new entry in the Airports category.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is the winner won 2009’s new Train category thanks to high scores by its catering and environmental friendliness.

"We are delighted to have won this award as it's voted for the people that matter to us most - our customers."British Airways

"This is a real tribute to the great work done by all of our staff. Thankyou to all those who voted for Virgin Atlantic - we will go on being thebest leisure airline in the world."
Steve Ridgway, CEO Virgin Atlantic



UK Hotel Spas

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park (London) moved from second place last year to take the top spot. It was followed C-Side, Cowley Manor, (Gloucs), Calcot Spa, Calcot Manor (Gloucs), Sequoia at The Grove (Herts) and The Spa, Chewton Glen  (Hampshire).


Favourite Country

Readers voted Italy their favourite country this year, narrowly beating last year’s winner New Zealand which took second place. Italy's food/restaurants, culture and climate and the country’s popularity put it in The World’s Top 100 list too at number 3. New York won favourite overseas city while Sicily is the readers’ Number 1 island and  the island also hit number one in The World’s Top 100 list.


Tour Operators


Seasons in Style leapt to number one from fifth position last year. The company was followed by Carrier,  ITC Classics, Abercrombie & Kent, Kuoni and Elegant Resorts.


The Specialist Tour Operators category was headed by Greaves Travel while Citalia, Scott Dunn (new entry), Cazenove & Loyd and Trips Worldwide filled respective places in the top 5.

In the Villa Rental category CV Travel took the top prize followed by Owners Direct, Greek Islands Club, Meon Villas and Wimco.


Related screenings:

Last year's  CNT Awards        Decade of GQ Awards                    Airline plaudits

        





RK  _________________________________________