Study Ranks World’s Most Popular Luxury Hotel Brands For 2015, Ritz Carlton Taking Top Honors

The Ritz-Carlton, owned by hotel giant Marriott International, takes top honors by a substantial margin. Some of the industry's most established and best-known names fail to make the Top 10, including Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

A new study by Luxury Branding, a London-based consultancy that specializes in the global luxury market, reveals a fresh and unexpected ranking of the most popular high-end hotels and resorts worldwide for 2015. Surprising highlights, based on independent analysis of 2.25 million travellers' reviews, include:

- The Ritz-Carlton, owned by hotel giant Marriott International, takes top honors by a substantial margin—particularly impressive given its large network of nearly 90 properties and nearly 40,000 employees worldwide

- "Traditional" luxury marks, including Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Raffles Hotels & Resorts and Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, dominate the Top 10. These classic, high-end brands generally outrank less conservative luxury brands such as Firmdale, EDITION and Andaz. So-called luxury "lifestyle" brands, including Morgans Hotel Group and W Hotels Worldwide, fare considerably worse by missing out on the Top 50 entirely

- Some of the industry's most established and best-known names fail to make the Top 10, including Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts (#13), The Peninsula Hotels (#20), St. Regis (#26) and Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts (#50)

- Luxury Branding's study is based on its independent analysis of more than 2.25 million public reviews on TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel feedback site with 375 million unique monthly visitors ranking more than 950,000 hotels and lodgings around the world. The study, which provides a "snapshot" of the entire body of reviews posted up to and including 14 August 2015, represents one of the largest luxury study samples ever analyzed in the hospitality industry. While TripAdvisor graciously allowed Luxury Branding to analyze its publicly available data, the study is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, TripAdvisor.

Social media and internet outlets continue to revolutionize the role of consumers in shaping brand perceptions, even at the higher end of the luxury spectrum. Piers Schmidt, Luxury Branding's founder, said:

"The luxury hotel sector, which traditionally has been ranked by industry organizations, travel operators and specialty publications, is becoming democratized by the advent of TripAdvisor and similar portals that allow consumers to act as vocal, real-time critics, champions and commentators."

Mr. Schmidt noted that despite a persistent industry perception that high-net-worth consumers "don't write reviews" or engage with social media, digitally native travelers rely both on their own experiences and those of friends and family in making brand decisions. Luxury brand operators that embrace the trend of peer-to-peer reviews and respond thoughtfully and consistently, rather than impulsively, can build greater brand loyalty and transparency among today's connected and ever more demanding luxury clients.

The Top 10

The World's Most Popular Luxury Hotel Brands, 2015 are:

1. The Ritz-Carlton
2. Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
3. Raffles Hotel & Resorts
4. Langham Hotels and Resorts
5. Rocco Forte Hotels
6. Dorchester Collection
7. Capella Hotels and Resorts
8. Park Hyatt
9. Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
10. Armani Hotels & Resorts

- See more at: http://hotelmarketing.com/index.php/content/article/study_ranks_worlds_most_popular_luxury_hotel_brands_for_2015#sthash.bBXhMBWk.dpuf

Shangri-La Hotel, Paris Launches First Vegan, “100% Green Dinners” Of Parisian Palace Hotels

© ©Roméo Balancourt

© ©Roméo Balancourt

Shangri-La Hotel, Paris launches a first in the world of Parisian palace hotels by hosting a series of “100% Green Dinners”. On the first Thursday of each month, La Bauhinia will present a special five-course vegetable-focused menu and invite one of the hotel’s exceptional French market purveyors to meet with diners. To further enhance the evening, La Bauhinia will be transformed by a nature-inspired decor and a DJ will create a celebratory atmosphere.

A 100% Green menu

Shangri-La Hotel, Paris Executive Chef Christophe Moret has been cultivating his nature-driven cuisine since his arrival at the hotel in January 2015. As the grandson of a market gardener, it was natural for him to imagine a “Rooted in Nature” menu that placed vegetables at the forefront without sacrificing taste and pleasure. Guided by values that are dear to his heart – freshness, local, transparent, and ethical – the chef will create each Thursday a different green menu full of vibrant and complex flavours such as Tomato Bloody Mary and Spring Rolls made from watermelon stuffed with soup herbs; Kasha and Green Vegetables En Cocotte with almond milk; Turnips and Red Beetroots roasted in a wood-burning oven and Tofu Ravioli with borsch vinaigrette; Strawberries scented with Sangria, and coconut and lime sorbet. Guests can also enjoy market-driven dishes daily on the a la carte menu at La Bauhinia.

Special drinks and cocktails To accompany this unique menu, Head Sommelier Cédric Maupoint has chosen wines produced through biodynamic agriculture, specific teas, coffees and non-roasted cocoa beans, all hand-picked and distributed through fair-trade channels. Even the choice of sugar has been carefully considered, with Panela produced from organic sugar cane, agave syrup and coconut sugar.

The cocktail menu receives an energy boost with the addition of a shot of cucumber, kale, celery and ginger juice.

Special rendez-vous every first Thursday of the month Sharing this wish to promote terroir products in a new way, Shangri-La Hotel, Paris’ suppliers will join these celebratory events to meet La Bauhinia’s customers. Every first Thursday of the month, a market gardener, wine grower or farmer will explain his approach and how the seasons affect his work while also learning about the preferences and tastes of La Bauhinia’s diners. By creating an opportunity for dialogue between the farmers, the chefs, and the restaurant’s patrons, Chef Moret hopes to highlight the extraordinary quality, variety and taste of France’s vegetables, fruits, and flowers.

Green Dinners at Shangri-La Hotel, Paris will be served every first Thursday of the month. A five-course menu is priced at €68, excluding drinks.

Upcoming dates are Thursday, 9 July, and then the first Thursday of each month from September to December.

**About Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts **

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages 90 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 37,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services. Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar and Sri Lanka. www.shangri-la.com

Shangri-La Website

Travelore News: Shangri-la Hotels And Resorts Unveils Luxury Property In Historic Nanchang City

BEIJING, China - Shangri-La Hotel, Nanchang opened on 8 February in Honggutan, the new central business district ofNanchang city. Sited on the most sought-after location on the west bank of the Ganjiang River, the hotel has direct views of the magnificent 1,300-year-old Tengwang Pavilion, one of the four famous towers in China, and is a five-minute stroll from the popular Qiushui Square. Within 30 minutes' drive is the train station and Changbei International Airport.

Nanchang's rich art scene has been influential in the hotel's approach to its interior style with a mix of traditional Chinese ink paintings and blue and white porcelain on display in the public areas. Also incorporated in the open spaces are lotus emblems to honour Zhu Da – the city's most prominent calligrapher and painter from the Ming Dynasty – who rendered the flower in many of his artworks, plus a five-metre handcrafted chandelier that was inspired by the beauty of blooming flowers and adds visual intrigue in the lobby.

The hotel's 473 guestrooms and suites ranging from 45 to 149 square metres are modern in cool silvery and beige tones, and complement the Ganjiang River, which can be viewed through full-length windows.

Embellished with porcelain and patterns from traditional Chinese paintings on the carpet, the rooms are also practically equipped with in-room entertainment and free Wi-Fi. At dusk, the colourful sights ofAsia's largest music fountain at Quishui Square and the nightly light display from across the waterway can be seen.

Providing an exceptional standard of quality and service is the hotel's Horizon Club Lounge, where guests can appreciate extra privileges including express check-in and check-out, complimentary breakfast buffet and evening cocktails, and full concierge service. The private space, on level 32 of the hotel, was designed with commanding 180-degree vistas and an airy outdoor terrace.

Five dedicated levels of Club rooms are as sophisticated as they are spacious and easily accommodate a day bed and a walk-in wardrobe that lead into a luxurious marble bathroom.

Dining at the hotel is an opportunity to sample creations from talented chefs at the three restaurants and lounge. Cafe Hong, the all-day dining outlet, features five show-stopping open kitchens that vie for attention alongside an impressive two-metre high and eight-panel porcelain screen, and over-sized porcelain lamps in the customary blue and white colours. On the menu and lavish buffets are Asian, Chinese and Indian selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

One level above the cafe is Zi Yu Xuan, a Chinese restaurant specialising in classic Cantonese and Gan cuisines. ChefEric Yue uses the freshest ingredients to bring out the delicate flavours in his beautiful dishes that rival the river view from the restaurant. Private functions or special occasions can be hosted in eight separate dining rooms.

For informal meetings and get-togethers, the Lobby Lounge offers sweet and savoury options, as well as live entertainment.

The extensive recreational facilities at the hotel's health club cater to guests of all levels of fitness and practices. In addition to multi-purpose gym equipment, a 25-metre indoor pool, Jacuzzi, steam and sauna room are a beauty salon and spa.

A total of 3,880 square metres of event space capable of holding 1,800 guests includes a 1,683-square-metre pillar-less grand ballroom that is attached to an expansive foyer with a river view. A junior ballroom and five other function rooms complete the hotel's meeting facilities.