4 finalists in Australasian excellence awards

Media Release from Sofitel Queenstown

August 25, 2006

Sofitel Queenstown celebrates four finalists in Australasian awards for excellence

Queenstown’s premier five-star hotel, Sofitel Queenstown, is celebrating becoming a finalist in four categories in the prestigious HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence.

Sofitel Queenstown was named a finalist in the New Zealand CBD Property category, General Manager Mark Wilkinson was named a finalist in the New Zealand Hotel Manager category, while Executive Chef Shane Watson and Head Concierge Bryan Wilkinson were also named finalists in their respective categories.

The Sofitel Queenstown team will be heading to the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney for an awards gala dinner on Friday September 8 where the winners will be announced.

“We are absolutely delighted to have made it to the finals, especially in the face of stiff competition from some long-established properties,” said Mr Wilkinson.

“Sofitel Queenstown is just coming up to its first anniversary, so this is a fantastic achievement for the management team and our dedicated staff.

“It recognises our commitment to style, exemplary service, and a truly five star experience.”

James Wilkinson, Managing Editor of host publication HM-Hotel & Accommodation Management, said the awards had garnered a record number of entries, with more than 600 properties nominated in various categories.

“After a lengthy voting process involving 50 industry professionals and travel media, we are down to the best of the best for 2006. Nominations were open to hotels and staff at properties across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.”

The Sofitel Queenstown is New Zealand’s first Sofitel property. It features 70 opulent and stylish deluxe rooms, ten executive suites, two penthouse suites, and two levels of restaurants, bars and boutique retail, all in the finest location in the heart of Queenstown.

In April Sofitel Queenstown was named among the top 20 hotels in the world by prestigious Australian travel magazine Gourmet Traveller. It was the only New Zealand property to feature in the ‘Best of the Best’ accolade.

ENDS

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