Premium Travelers Name Hotel Bel-Air Best in United States Global Traveler Readers Have Chosen the Hotel Two Consecutive Years

Global Traveler announces Hotel Bel-Air as an award winner

(PRWeb) January 21, 2007 -- Global Traveler is pleased to announce that, for the second consecutive year, the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles has won the GT Tested Award for Best Hotel in the United States. The hotel was awarded this honor by Global Traveler readers who participated in a survey that ran in the magazine from February 2006 to August 2006.

Hotel Bel-Air will be recognized at an awards luncheon on January 23, 2007 at the Jumeirah Essex House in New York City. Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO of Global Traveler, will honor the winners at the gala ceremony, accompanied by Cynthia Nixon, star of Sex and the City. Nixon will speak to attendees on behalf of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

"The awards luncheon is a celebration of the accomplishments of all our award winners," Gallagher said. "Our readers have recognized them as the cream of the crop; however, this luncheon also reminds all of us that it's time to give back. By benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, we have the opportunity to help and celebrate personal good fortune by helping those hindered by misfortune. However, I do want to congratulate all of our winners for their achievements in the world of travel and the work they do that puts them a step ahead of the competition."

"We are honored to be the recipient of this Global Traveler award for the second consecutive year. This award speaks to the staff at the Hotel Bel-Air that truly is passionate about making the hotel one of the finest properties in the world. Global Traveler is respected and valued by our clients and is a great resource for luxury travel information. We are truly grateful for this recognition and ongoing support," said Carlos Lopes, managing director, Hotel Bel-Air.

For a complete list of winners and to read the full awards article, visit www.globaltravelerusa.com.

About the Survey

Global Traveler conducted the third annual survey of its readers from February 1, 2006 to August 31, 2006, with open-ended questions for the best in 42 categories of business and luxury travel. A total of 13,653 completed questionnaires were received. The questionnaires were made available as a six-page insert in subscriber copies of the magazine and online at the Global Traveler website www.globaltravelerusa.com/readersurvey. Only those questionnaires in which more than 50 percent of the questions were completed were counted; those answering fewer than 50 percent of the questions were discarded. Responses also were screened for duplication. Members of the travel industry and employees of FXExpress Publications were not allowed to participate.

Survey respondents spent a mean number of 61 nights last year on international business trips and 76 nights on domestic business trips. They took an average of 18 international flights and 21 domestic flights per person during that period. Of all respondents, 76 percent were male and 24 percent were female; average age was 45.

About Hotel Bel-Air

Situated in beautiful Bel-Air, adjacent to Beverly Hills, Hotel Bel-Air is nestled well within a wooded canyon, surrounded by 12 acres of estate ground. The hotel's 91 rooms, including 39 suites, are located within various Mission-style villas, each having a private entrance.

Consistently ranked one of the top hotels in the world, the Bel-Air is a 13-time recipient of the coveted Mobil Star Award. The property includes an award-winning restaurant with both indoor and outdoor terrace dining, as well as the chef's "Table One," in the kitchen.

About Global Traveler

A business travel publication that takes into account the sophisticated lifestyle interests of today's executive travelers, Global Traveler is the publication of choice among seasoned business travelers. Circulated nationally, Global Traveler is the only ABC-audited American magazine for the international business traveler, with ABC paid circulation of 60,055. The magazine has increased its frequency to12 issues per year, effective with the January 2007 issue.

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