Dutch, French hotels win top prizes at the 2013 Villegiature Awards

This week the 2013 Villegiature Awards were bestowed upon the jury's picks for the most outstanding hotels in Europe, Africa and Asia in 2013. The jury for the prestigious prize consists of 25 international journalists.

Amsterdam's historic De l'Europe, a five-star hotel on the banks of the Amstel river was awarded the Grand Prix for the best hotel in Europe. The Sofitel Legend The Grand, also in the Dutch capital, won the award for the best service at a hotel on the continent.

The Selman, in Marrakesh, with its interior design by Jacques Garcia, took the top prize for a hotel in Africa, while the Sofitel So Bangkok was named the best hotel in Asia. The latter hotel features an interior by Thai designer Smith Obayamat and French couturier Christian Lacroix.

France was the most represented country among the honorees, who were celebrated at a a ceremony held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Paris, as hotels in the country took home a total of eight trophies, including the award for best hotel restaurant in Europe for the Auberge du Jeu de Paume in Chantilly, headed up by chef Arnaud Faye, and the best ambiance in a hotel in Europe, for The Negresco Hotel in Nice. The Château Saint Martin & Spa in Vence, in the South of France, received the Grand Prix in the category referred to by Villegiature as "best charming hotel in Europe," which honors a hotel with a particularly distinct charm.

Winners of the 2013 Villegiature Awards

Grand Prix for the best hotel in Asia: Sofitel So Bangkok - Thailand
Grand Prix for the best hotel in Africa: Selman, Marrakech - Morocco
Grand Prix for the best hotel in Europe: De L'Europe, Amsterdam - Netherlands
Grand Prix for the best "charming hotel" in Europe: Château Saint Martin & Spa, Vence - France
Grand Prix for the best resort in Europe: Forte Village, Sardinia - Italy
Best interactive communication for a hotel: Le Saint-James Bouliac by Diadao, Bouliac
Best ambiance in a hotel in Europe: Negresco Hotel, Nice - France
Best terrace at a hotel in Europe: Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese, Rome - Italy
Best floral decoration in a hotel in Europe: Hôtel Métropole, Monte-Carlo - Monaco ("Miss Rose" by Perrine)
Best hotel interior design in Europe: Shangri-La Hotel, Paris - France (Pierre-Yves Rochon)
Best service in a hotel in Europe: Sofitel Legend The Grand, Amsterdam - Netherlands
Best hotel restaurant in Europe: Auberge du Jeu de Paume, Chantilly - France (Chef Arnaud Faye)
Best hotel bar in Europe: Hôtel Lancaster, Paris - France ("Le Bar du Lancaster")
Best breakfast in a hotel in Europe: Sofitel Quiberon Thalassa Sea & Spa, Quiberon - France
Best spa in a hotel in Europe: Hotel Bellevue & Spa, Cogne - Italy
Best bathroom in a hotel room in Europe: Villa Baulieu, Rognes en Provence - France

www.prix-villegiature.com