Two Greek hotels are among the ten luxury lodgings that won the Historic Hotels of Europe (HHE) award overcoming 500 competitors, as it was announced on Monday at a gala dinner at Ch?teau de l’Epinay in Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, France.
Guests voted for their favourite hotels in ten wide-ranging categories, including romance, legend, fine dining, spa facilities and more.
Authentic mansion
A member of the Greek Historic Hotels network and subsequently the Historic Hotels of Europe organization since the beginning of the year, the Marpessa Smart Luxury Hotel, an authentic mansion of the 1920 located in Agrinio, won the “Best Historic Hotel New Member Award 2016”.
Aigialos Luxury Traditional Settlement on Santorini was named “Best Historic Hotel with a ‘Story to Tell’ 2016”. Aigialos Niche Residences & Suites comprises fifteen renovated Neoclassical houses that were originally the grand family homes of the island’s eminent sea captains. The hotel charms visitors with its cobbled walkways, amazing views and, naturally, the island’s volcano
Outstanding effort
Historic Hotels of Europe (HHE) chairman Barbara Avdis said: ‘These awards are an opportunity to reward the outstanding effort that the staff at our member hotels put in to ensure their guests are happy.? ?
‘It’s also a celebration of the commitment our members make to maintain the incredibly rich heritage and stories encapsulated in these buildings – and to recognise their constant striving to provide an excellent service for their guests.’? ?she added
Eclectic and authentic
HHE is a not-for-profit umbrella company championing more than 500 of Europe’s most historically-significant hotels.? ?Each member hotel is unique and each is wrapped inextricably into the history of their location – and of Europe beyond. That’s why the organisation selected ten separate categories for the judging.
As Ms. Avdis commented, ‘the HHE members are so diverse in location, history and type, so having one common measure would be unfair to all’? ? and added: “Our historic hotels are eclectic and authentic, and we aim to take our guests on a journey of inspiring experiences beyond the expected.”
The full list of winners are:? ?
1. Best Castle Historic Hotel 2016?
Winner: Castle Hotel Sonnenburg?
Country: Italy?
Member of: Schlosshotels & Herrenh?use
2. Best Countryside Historic Hotel 2016?
Winner: Hotel See-Villa?
Country: Austria?
Member of: Schlosshotels & Herrenh?user
3. Best Customer Care Historic Hotel 2016?
Winner: Chesa Salis?
Country: Switzerland?
Member of: Swiss Historic Hotels
4. Best Historic Hotel Spa Award 2016?
Winner: Szid?nia Manor House?
Country: Hungary?
Member of: Hungarian Castle Hotels Association? ?
5. Best City Historic Hotel 2016?
Winner: Hotel Elizabeth?
Country: Slovakia?
Member of: Historic Hotels of Slovakia? ?
6. Best Historic Hotel New Member Award 2016?
Winner: Hotel Marpessa?
Country: Greece?
Member of: Yades Greek Historic Hotels? ?
7. Best Historic Hotel with “A Story to Tell” 2016?
Winner: Aigialos Hotel Santorini?
Country: Greece?
Member of: Yades Greek Historic Hotels? ?
8. Best Adventure and Activities Historic Hotel 2016?
Winner: Knutholmen?
Country: Norway?
Member of: De Historiske? ?
9. Historic Hotel Best Restaurant 2016?
Winner: Marlfield House?
Country: Ireland?
Member of: Ireland’s Blue Book? ?
10. Most Romantic Historic Hotel 2016?
Winner: Vadstena Convent Hotel?
Country: Sweden?
Member of: Countryside Hotels Sweden
