Ballyfin Ranked #1 Resort Hotel In The United Kingdom And Ireland

Ballyfin, a five-star historic country house hotel, is named the No. 1 Resort Hotel in the U.K. and Ireland based on the results of the 2024 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. This recognition is a testament to Ballyfin’s commitment to providing exceptional service, breathtaking surroundings, and an unparalleled guest experience.

Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards is an annual survey that recognizes excellence in the travel industry, showcasing the top hotels, resorts, destinations, and airlines in the world ranked by the most passionate and discerning travelers. These awards serve as a trusted source for inspiration and guidance as travelers make plans to set out on trips around the globe.

“Ballyfin has been welcoming guests since 2011, and the recognition from Travel + Leisure readers since that date has been exceptional. To receive this outstanding award is a testament to the dedicated team at Ballyfin. I thank them for their hard work and our wonderful guests for sharing their appreciation for the experience we deliver. We are humbled and forever grateful,” said Peter White, General Manager.

The 2024 World’s Best Awards are featured in the August 2024 issue of Travel + Leisure.

About BALLYFIN – County Laois, Ireland

Ballyfin is a five-star country house hotel set on 614 private acres at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in the center of Ireland. Long admired as one of the most lavish Regency mansions in the country, the historic estate reopened in May 2011 following an extensive eight-year restoration.

A member of Relais & Chateaux, the property features 21 individually designed rooms, lavish interiors decorated with Irish art and antiques, and rolling grounds including a 28-acre lake, ancient woods, follies and grottoes. Guests enjoy gourmet dining, an indoor pool and spa, and quintessential country activities such as fishing, horseback riding, clay pigeon shooting, archery, falconry and more.

​Perfect for couples, families and friends, Ballyfin provides an enchanting retreat from the modern age, immersing guests in old world luxury, romance, privacy and tranquility.

http://www.ballyfin.com/

Manoir Hovey Named #1 Hotel In Canada In Condé Nast Traveler's 2016 Readers' Choice Awards

NORTH HATLEY, Quebec-  Manoir Hovey, a five-star lakeside resort in Canada's Eastern Townships,

 was named the #1 Hotel in Canada and one of the "50 Best Hotels in the World" in Condé Nast

 Traveler's 29th annual Readers' Choice Awards. The awards recognize excellence in the travel 

industry and are commonly known as "the best of the best of travel." Over 300,000 readers cast

 votes for 7,394 hotels.

This is the second time this year that Manoir Hovey, a member of Relais & Chateaux, has earned

 the top spot in prestigious annual travel awards. It also was voted the #1 Resort in Canada in the

 Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2016.

VIDEO: http://bit.ly/2dp3eLj

"We are absolutely thrilled with this news," said Jason Stafford, managing director of Manoir Hovey.

 "It has been a banner year for us, and this latest recognition by the sophisticated readers of Condé 

Nast Traveler tells us that travelers continue to seek out charming, authentic and unique experiences

 that convey a sense of place – something we strive to provide our guests every day."

Built in 1900 and modeled after George Washington's Mount Vernon home, Manoir Hovey is an

 enchanting and romantic year-round destination with impeccable service and cuisine. Guests can 

look forward to a variety of seasonal events, activities and experiences, including:

A Culinary Symphony – On October 28^th, the second in a dinner series at Le Hatley Restaurant

 explores the relationship between food and music with a five-course menu designed to correspond

 to classical compositions performed by musicians from the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.

Winter Ice Fishing - A complimentary introduction to the sport with a local guide on frozen Lake 

Massawippi, where guests enjoy artisanal pizza, cooked on a wood stove on skis, and hot beverages. 

Cross country skiing, snow shoeing, ice skating, and a teepee are also available on the property.

Chants Cheeses & Wine - A travel offer that celebrates Manoir Hovey's chapter in the new book,

 "The Art of Entertaining Relais & Chateaux." The package includes accommodations, dinner, breakfast,

 a tour of the Abbey St. Benoit-du-Lac with gourmet picnic, a tasting at a local winery, a tour and tasting

 at a local cheese producer, and a signed copy of the book.

The Readers' Choice Awards are announced in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler. The full

 list is published exclusively online, atwww.CNTraveler.com/rca.

About Manoir HoveyLocated just 90 minutes from Montreal, Manoir Hovey is a five-star Relais & Châteaux property on

 the shores of Lake Massawippi. One of Canada's most charming and romantic inns, Manoir Hovey

 was named the #1 Resort Hotel in Canada and #19 on "The 100 Best Hotels in the World" list in Travel

 & Leisure's World's Best Awards 2016. It has 37 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, year-round

 activities, and hosts weddings, conferences and special events. Its award winning restaurant, Le Hatley, 

showcases ambitious terroir driven Quebec cuisine and an extensive wine list. Overlooking the lake and 

surrounded by English gardens, the dining room has a tranquil setting with breathtaking views.

About Condé Nast TravelerAs the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global 

citizen's bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. Condé Nast Traveler is the most

 trusted and celebrated name in travel with 6 National Magazine Award wins and 26 nominations

 in its 28-year history. Advertising Age named Pilar Guzmán Editor of the Year in 2014 and

 CNTraveler.com attained 4 Webby Awards since 2015.  www.cntraveler.com

Blackberry Farms Prepares For The Grand Opening Of Their Wellhouse Spa And Wellness Facility On June 1st

– Blackberry Farm, a Relais & Chateaux, 62-room property located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, prepares for the opening of its new spa and wellness facility, The Wellhouse, on June 1 and releases its wellness and spa menu. Blackberry Farm’s approach to spa and wellness is rooted in a philosophy of balance and the body’s connection with nature. Surrounded by the Smoky Mountains and deep green forests, The Wellhouse spa program embraces the balance of the seasons and locally sourced ingredients to renew, transform and refresh the body.  “The Wellhouse reflects our unique Smoky Mountain perspective and a deep commitment to natural balance,” said Proprietor Sam Beall. “It is an inspiring place for renewal and rebuilding designed to encourage the lasting pursuit of a healthy, fulfilling life.”  Registered guests of Blackberry Farm will have full access to the wellness and spa menu. Included below is a sample of some of the custom treatments that guests will be able to experience. Sample Spa Treatments include: The Wellhouse Soothe is a custom Blackberry Farm massage utilizing a combination of classic Swedish techniques and gentle stretches to relieve muscle tension and stress. Healing Herbs & Flowers allows guests to choose to renew, detox or rest muscles with a healing massage using potent blends of essential oils. Fresh herbs and flowers are steeped in warm water and applied to the body creating a deeper state of relaxation while regenerating and repairing tissues. Smoky Mountain Mist Skin Glow is a blend of pomegranate seed, orange peel powder and essential oils that exfoliates and conditions the skin while relaxing in a private steam bath. A full-body massage with nutrient-rich body butter follows, making this the ideal choice for relaxation, anti-aging, and special occasions.  The Blackberry Man is an exclusive spa menu dedicated to every man’s-man featuring relaxing, therapeutic, feel-good services like the Muscle Melt, High-Adventure Foot Restoration and the Saving Face facial.  No girly stuff here. Sample Wellness Activities include: Private Juicing Sessions teaches the benefits of juicing and helps guests develop a favorite recipe with a Wellness coach. Group Classes include Zumba, Dance, Barre, Pilates Mat, Stretch & Release and Aquafit. Deep Healing Woods Experiences: Rooted in nature and proven by science, Blackberry Farm’s Deep Healing Woods offers one-of-a-kind experiences with established psychological and physiological benefits. Earthfit Endurance Hike is a high-intensity workout ideal for any fitness level. A pre-workout stretching session warms the muscles up for a fast-paced hike, which encourages cardiovascular strength and endurance.  At the conclusion of the hike, guests are led in a guided stretch and meditation to improve recovery and mental restoration.   Deep Healing Woods Yoga is practiced in the great outdoors and evokes a greater sense of connecting with the universe. Enjoy the breeze of the Smoky Mountains and warmth of the sun to enrich your sense of harmony, timelessness and union with Mother Nature.       About The Wellhouse at Blackberry Farm: Blackberry Farm’s wellness philosophy emphasizes a balanced, sustainable lifestyle that lasts beyond the borders of the property with true wellness being a whole-life pursuit, with room to embrace both the pleasure of fine living and the exhilaration of physical activity.   With more than 12,000 square feet including nine treatment rooms, a yoga room, a fitness room, an activity room, a pool, locker rooms and a lounge, The Wellhouse, will feature treatments like massages and facials with guests also experiencing wellness activities such as deep woods healing and group barre classes.     For more information on The Wellhouse at Blackberry Farm or to see the complete spa and wellness menu please visit www.blackberryfarm.com.