Karisma Hotels

	Awards | Press
Karisma Hotels & Resorts Named Best Boutique Hotel Chain At Travel Weekly 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards

MIAMI (December 18, 2012) – Karisma Hotels & Resorts, a premier collection of Gourmet Inclusive properties offering the best in food and service and comprised of El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels, El Dorado Generations and Azul Hotels & Villas by Karisma, were recently honored as Travel Weekly’s Best Boutique Hotel Chain at the 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards for the fourth consecutive year.  Karisma Hotels & Resorts surpassed competitors, including Hotel Indigo, Kimpton Hotels, Relais & Chateaux, Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts, and W Hotels & Resorts.  Winners were chosen through several rounds of voting by the discerning readers of Travel Weekly, the leading travel industry publication, and were announced on December 13, 2012 during a gala dinner at The Plaza Hotel in New York.

The annual Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate the industry’s finest and represent businesses, destinations, and hotels that provide a higher level of service to their clients.  Winners were selected in 59 categories, including the airline, car, hospitality, rail, agent education, cruise, and destination sectors.

“As a part of the Gourmet Inclusive concept, we strive to provide guests of El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma with elevated vacation experiences,” said Mandy Chomat, vice president of sales & marketing for Premier Worldwide Marketing, the worldwide representative of El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels.  “It is rewarding to be recognized as the industry’s best by readers of Travel Weekly, comprised of discriminating travelers and our valued travel agent partners, who are vacationers themselves.”

The Gourmet Inclusive properties are comprised of El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort; El Dorado Casitas Royale; El Dorado Seaside Suites; El Dorado Maroma, A Beachfront Resort; El Dorado Generations Maroma; Azul Beach Hotel; Azul Sensatori Hotel; Azul Fives Hotel; Azul Villa Carola; and Azul Villa Esmeralda by Karisma, and provide adults, couples, and families with a carefree environment and a vacation that fosters togetherness.  With unmatched personalized services, intimate settings and distinctive amenities, Karisma Hotels & Resorts are distinguished as a leader among boutique hotel chains worldwide.

With the Gourmet Inclusive experience, El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels offer indulgent pampering with unparalleled personal services such as champagne and smoothie check-ins, full-service concierge, 24-hour room service, world-class chefs, gourmet cuisine served a la carte and sommeliers who suggest perfect pairings from private label wine sections.  
 
Romance is incorporated into every aspect of the adults-only El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels by Karisma, where couples reconnect with in-room Jacuzzi tubs, private swim-up suites and Infinity pool terrace suites, beachfront candlelight dinners, chocolate fondue under the stars, Aguas del Amor -- private, exotic open-air showers -- and Beachfront Sky Massages, where guests receive their treatments in total privacy on a beautifully designed, raised palapa on the beach surrounded by nothing but ocean and air. 

Azul Hotels by Karisma provide something for every family, including Fisher-Price® toys and programs, My Gym Children’s Fitness Center activities, splash parks, teen’s club, movie nights with popcorn, adults-only swimming and lounging areas, and nightly entertainment.  As a part of the Gourmet Inclusive luxury vacation experience, guests will enjoy gourmet a la carte dining and Gourmet Gerber baby food, premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, full-service concierge, king size beach beds and beach butlers who provide tanning supplies, reading materials, and Gourmet Bites.

Rates at El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma begin at $183 per person, per night including the Gourmet Inclusive experience (all gourmet meals served a la carte, premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, 24-hour room service, full service concierge).  Hotel reservations can be booked through a GI Vacation Consultant, or by calling 1-866-527-4762, or by visiting www.karismahotels.com.

About El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma
El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma are a premier hotel collection operating properties throughout the Riviera Maya, Mexico, where guests savor a Gourmet Inclusive® experience that fosters togetherness. Karisma’s growing portfolio is comprised of El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort by Karisma; El Dorado Casitas Royale by Karisma; El Dorado Seaside Suites by Karisma; El Dorado Maroma, A Beachfront Resort, by Karisma; El Dorado Generations Maroma; Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma; Azul Sensatori Hotel by Karisma; Azul Fives Hotel by Karisma; Azul Villa Carola by Karisma; and Azul Villa Esmeralda by Karisma.  Properties have been honored with the industry's top accolades including, Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top 100 Hotels in the World,” Conde Nast Traveler’s “Gold List,” Forbes’ “Top 10 Most Romantic Hotels,” Travel Weekly’s “Readers Choice Awards,” “Green Hotel/Resort,” and “Best Loyalty Program”; TUI Travel PLC’s “Hotel of the Year,” “Gold Medal,” and “Green Medal”, TripAdvisor® Traveler’s Choice “Best Hotels for Romance,” and AAA’s “Four Diamond Award.”  Karisma has received worldwide recognition for its creative approach to hospitality management and product innovations including resorts with swim-up suites, Infinity balcony pools, beach butlers and cash-free transactions. Premier Worldwide Marketing is the exclusive worldwide sales and marketing representative for Karisma Hotels & Resorts.  www.karismahotels.com  

Media Contacts:  Alexandra McClure, Courtney Finley, Brittany Pass, Danielle Mayer at Glodow Nead Communications, 415.394.6500, alexandra@glodownead.com.