THE ORIENTAL, BANGKOK TAKES TOP SPOT IN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR’S WORLD’S BEST HOTELS SURVEY

The Oriental, Bangkok has taken the number one position in Institutional Investor’s 20th annual World’s Best Hotels survey (September 2000). The hotel, which celebrates its 125th anniversary in late 2000, also topped the charts in the Asia-Pacific category, earning an overall score of 89.9 out of 100 points.

The venerable publication noted that, “(Kurt) Wachtveitl, who has managed the Oriental for 32 years, maintains meticulous standards. The flower beds leading down to the Chao Phraya River are as beautiful as ever; the service staff continues to dispense the same high-level service.”

Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco and Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong were also award recipients. The San Francisco property took the ninth position worldwide and was ranked fifth in the Americas category, whilst Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong leaped forward 18 spots to recognized as one of the world’s best hotels. The renowned Hong Kong hotel was also ranked highly in the Asia-Pacific category.

The results of this prestigious survey where compiled from the responses of more than 100 senior financial executives from 26 countries, who rated their favourite hotels frequently visited on a scale of 1 to 100. The scores were weighted in favuor of the executives with the greatest number of visits to hotels – many staying up to 200 nights a year – however, the average number of nights spent in hotels per year was 60.

The voting criteria included: the hotel’s efficiency, personalized service and concierge service, staff, recognition of repeat guests, express check-in and check-out and overnight laundry services. Other requirements included: a convenient location, health club and pool, large and attractive rooms, windows that open, efficient climate control, a safe, and bathroom with a shower stall. Business services included: large desks, laptop access, voice-mail and fax machine.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s finest hotels. The Group operates luxury hotels in key leisure and business destinations, with two hotels under development, one in Miami, Florida (opening late 2000) and the other in New York (opening late 2003). In total, Mandarin Oriental employs almost 9,000 staff in three continents with 10 hotels in Asia, seven in North America and four in Europe.