- Contributed
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, located in Rose Hall, Montego Bay.
Al Edwards, Business Co-ordinator
THE UNITED States-based Conde Nast Traveller and Travel and Leisure magazines have rated Jamaica's Ritz-Carlton, Golf & Spa Resort, located in Montego Bay among 'The top Best Resorts in the World' in their annual readers choice poll.
Recognised by Conde Nast Traveller magazine in their 2004 tenth readers choice annual Gold List Poll, the hotel was rated among the top 100 best resorts in the world and named in Travel and Leisure's annual list of greatest hotels and resorts in the world.
"We are delighted that our luxury resort has being added to this elite list of hotels and lodgings and that Jamaica is among this prestigious list of sophisticated destinations," said Verona Carter, director of public relations. "Our luxury resort has once again been selected by the sophisticated traveller as the number one hotel in Jamaica that they will visit to experience the ultimate in luxury accommodation and hospitality. This is really a coup for us and it further acknowledges that we have gained our rightful place as one of the Caribbean's true world-class resort. The accolade belongs to all the ladies and gentlemen who go above and beyond in creating service excellence in all they do. They are truly world class service professionals."
"To be named to the exclusive T+L 500 by the most discriminating travellers, is a great honour. The T+L 500 is a list that's more than just a list: it's the most reliable and comprehensive guide to hotels, one that is sure to be among readers' favourites," commented Vice President and Publisher, Ellen Asmodeo.
Each year since 1988, a random sampling of Conde Nast Traveller subscribers is implemented via questionnaire to identify travel trends, destination ratings, hotels and vacation experience according to rooms/facilities, location, service, restaurants/food and value.
Located on 5,000 acres in Jamaica's exclusive Rose Hall, the 427-room resort offers the seclusion of a beachfront hideaway, complete with an 18-hole championship golf course, and an additional 36 holes of Championship Golf within the Rose Hall Resort Area.
Complemented by a full service spa, a variety of water sports and recreational activities, the resort boasts five dining outlets and more than 25,000 square feet of meeting and reception space. Conveniently located just 15 minutes from Donald Sangster International Airport, it has established itself as one of the Caribbean's best valued resort hotels in the world.
This latest news comes after the announcement that The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort has once again earned the AAA Five Diamond honours for the third consecutive year. With this honour, the resort remains the only hotel in the history of Jamaica to hold this coveted accolade. The announcement was made at the AAA Five Diamond Awards ceremony held November 17, 2003, at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida.
"We are thrilled that The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort has earned this prestigious award for the third consecutive year and has established its rightful place as one of the Caribbean's true world class resorts," said Martin Nicholson, general manager. "It is truly a tribute to the fine service, naturally warm Jamaican hospitality and the expertise of our ladies and gentlemen of the resort. The award belongs them all."
IMPECCABLE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE
"AAA's Diamond Rating System is the most respected lodging and restaurant rating system in the industry," said Michael Petrone, director, AAA Tourism Information Development. "The Five Diamond Award is only given to establishments that exemplify an impeccable standard of excellence." The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort is one of 130 lodgings and restaurants that earned Five Diamond recognition from AAA last year. More than 42,000 establishments are listed in the 2004 AAA TourBook guides, but fewer than one-half of one percent receive the prestigious Five Diamond Award.
Speaking with Sunday Business Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Jamaica's General Manager Martin Nicholson said: "Our hotel is the only one in Jamaica to have won the AAA Five Diamond Award. There are only three hotels in the Caribbean that have won this prestigious award. This award is very important to us because we attract primarily high end tourists and it goes some way to attracting people to the country. It really is a win-win situation for our tourism product. I think a lot of Americans and Europeans are thinking positively of Jamaica as a vacation destination.
"Last year our occupancy levels improved on 2002's numbers. Although we rely heavily on American tourists we are seeing growth in the number of Europeans at the hotel and this may be due to the strengthening Euro. We now offer preferential rates for Jamaicans during the high season and are seeing a growing trend in corporate and Government entities utilising the resort. In July of last year Prime Minister P.J. Patterson chose our hotel to host the CARICOM Heads of State meeting."
Looking ahead to this year's winter season and the prospects for the country's highest earner of foreign exchange, Mr. Nicholson said: "I am very optimistic about this season but the challenge remains to attract people to Jamaica in the off season. I am pleased to see the increased level of investment in Jamaica's tourism sector with both RIU and the Pinero Group constructing hotels here. Mind you, we still have to work on image adjustment and control crime and the unsavoury elements that threaten to tarnish this wonderful destination."
