Jumeirah Essex House takes top honors at World Travel Awards

NEW YORK – New York City’s iconic Jumeirah Essex House was recognized once again at the prestigious 17th Annual World Travel Awards, taking top honors in two categories. The Jumeirah Essex House won the titles of “North America’s Leading Business Hotel” and “United States’ Leading Business Hotel” for the second consecutive year.

A staggering 185,000 industry professionals participated in voting for the awards, which are recognized globally as the foremost acknowledgement of excellence in product and service worldwide. Top industry insiders, government representatives and tourism leaders attended this year’s red carpet Gala Awards Ceremony, which took place on October 22 at Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa, Jamaica.

“It’s a wonderful privilege to have been recognized consistently in two outstanding categories over the last several years,” said Gary Schweikert, General Manager of Jumeirah Essex House and Regional Vice President of Operations for the Americas. “These awards are a testament to the brand’s integrity and our commitment and dedication to our guests, and we are immensely proud of this achievement.”

Jumeirah Essex House has been the recipient of “North America’s Leading Business Hotel” award four times and has twice been named the “United States’ Leading Business Hotel.” The winners of The Americas Awards Ceremony will automatically be put forward as nominees in their respective global categories. The world category winners will be announced at the Annual Grand Final Gala Ceremony in London this November.

The complete winners’ list and pictures from the event are now available on the official WTA website www.worldtravelawards.com

About Jumeirah Essex House

The 509-room Jumeirah Essex House celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2007 by completing a major $90 million refurbishment project to pay homage to the glamour and elegance of its original design. This historic New York City hotel, with a coveted Central Park address, is ideally located in the heart of Manhattan. Jumeirah Essex House is part of the Dubai-based international hospitality group, and sister to the world’s most luxurious hotel, Burj Al Arab. Features of the hotel include breathtaking views, outstanding dining and unrivalled conference and banqueting facilities. South Gate, the hotel’s spectacular Tony Chi-designed restaurant, featuring renowned chef Kerry Heffernan, has received rave reviews from customers and critics alike.

The Jumeirah Essex House is a recipient of both the Michelin Guide’s 2008 “Five Pavilions Award,” and the 2008 AAA Four-Diamond Award. The hotel garnered three awards at the 2007 Annual World Travel Awards in New York including “North America’s Leading Hotel,” “North America’s Leading Business Hotel” and “New York’s Leading Business Hotel” voted by travel agents worldwide and was ranked second in the “Best Hotel in the U.S.” category in Global Traveler Magazine’s 2006 GT Tested Awards.