New Zealand’s Best Regional Property

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Blanket Bay at dusk

Press Release from Blanket Bay
17 August 2009

New Zealand’s Best Regional Property

Blanket Bay wins the title of “New Zealand’s Best Regional Property” at the coveted HM Awards 2009.

Blanket Bay’s reputation as New Zealand’s ultimate alpine escape and finest luxury lodge continues to be upheld with its win last Friday night, 14 August 2009, at the hotel industry’s prestigious HM Awards.

Spanning Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands the HM Awards are this region’s only independent benchmark for excellence in hospitality management, voted on by a panel of judges consisting of leading travel writers, hoteliers and travel industry professionals.

Philip Jenkins, Blanket Bay’s General Manager, was thrilled to hear the news: “This year we are celebrating 10 year’s of operations. This award illustrates that our long-term commitment to excellence really pays off! Even though Blanket Bay’s location and facilities are second to none in New Zealand, it is our staff that truly defines the luxury Blanket Bay experience.”

“The average tenure of staff at Blanket Bay is 6 years, with several of the key staff, including myself, having been at the property since inception. Consistency of service is what makes the difference, plus an exclusive luxury product that is based upon the principles of sustainable and responsible tourism”, states Philip.

Blanket Bay is consistently featured amongst the world’s best. Along with last Friday night’s HM Award win, Blanket Bay was one of only two resorts in New Zealand to earn a place on the presitgious Forbes Traveler list of the top 400 accommodation properties worldwide for 2008. The highly respected Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report names Blanket Bay amongst the Top 20 International Hideaways, whilst the property was also recently named Conde Nast Traveller’s Gold List Winner for Best Cuisine.

“In these troubled economic times Blanket Bay is defying the trend, with occupancy levels in the past few months above those of last year. The property is attracting a greater percentage of discerning Australian and New Zealand travellers seeking the ultimate alpine escape. We are testament to the fact that value, and not simply price, is the driving force in the luxury travel sector, even in these times ”, comments Philip Jenkins.

ENDS

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About Blanket Bay
Established in 1999, Blanket Bay is an expansive lakeside property on a 65,000 high country farm, combining the sophistication of the world's finest alpine lodges and the unique characteristics of New Zealand. The intimate resort consists of 12 guest rooms including spacious suites, intimate lodge rooms and elegant chalets. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, accommodations offer travellers vast sitting rooms, king-sized beds, stone fireplaces, secluded balconies and spectacular views.

About HM Awards
In their 7th Year the 2009 HM Awards for Hotel & Accommodation Excellence received over 650 entries, and resulted in more than 1,200 people, departments, properties and chains being nominated across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and selected South Pacific nations. The HM Awards took the form of a black tie gala dinner at elegant Dalton House, overlooking Darling Harbour at Pyrmont, Sydney on Friday evening 14 August, 2009. The event attracted the who’s who of Australia’s, and increasingly New Zealand’s, hotel industry.

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