Ashford Castle in Co. Mayo has been voted as the world's number one hotel by luxury travel network Virtuoso.
The recently reopened hotel received the award this week at the Best of the Best Awards during Virtuoso Travel Week, in Las Vegas, the Irish Independent reports.
Ashford Castle was chosen out of 1,100 luxury properties around the world on the Virtuoso portfolio by the network's group of 9,000 travel advisors.
The hotel, recently reopened by the Red Carnation group after a €47 million refurbishment, is now one of Ireland's most exclusive properties, with rooms going from around €495 per night.
Speaking about the hotel, Virtuoso travel advisor Julie Smothers said: “Ashford represents a time stamp of the eras…Its staff members are like warm and inviting walking history books.”
Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland’s head of North America, said: “Congratulations to Ashford Castle on this truly well-deserved award. Given that there are almost 1,100 five star, luxury properties in the Virtuoso hotel and resorts portfolio, Ashford’s nomination – and subsequent win last night – is a wonderful achievement indeed."
Metcalfe added that Rochford and the Ashford Castle team have helped raise the profile of Irish hotels in North America in general, a market so important to the Irish tourism industry.
“It gives us another hook to showcase our superb luxury tourism product, including our castles, luxury resorts and boutique hotels, our rich culture and heritage, and not forgetting our world-class golf," added Metcalfe.
Other hotels awarded on the night were The Connaught in London (Best Bar), Le Bristol in Paris took home Best Retaurant and Best Design was given to The Ritz-Carlton in Kyoto.
