Naming the “best of the best” in the hospitality world is no job for the meek, but international luxury travel network Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts did the deed—again. Palazzo Seneca in Norcia, Italy, was named Hotel of the Year, and 10 other hotels and hoteliers from around the globe were also honored as 2017 Best of the Best.

Five winners are based in the United States, one is in Mexico and the rest are in Europe. The awards were announced at the travel organization’s 11th annual awards ceremony, attended by 1,600 of luxury travel’s top names, in Las Vegas.

Palazzo Seneca, in the Umbrian village of Norcia, is a historic site from the 16th century, restored by the Bianconi family, leaders in the Italian hospitality industry for 150 years. Rooms feature oak floors and details from Umbrian craftsmen, as well as antique furnishings and plush linens. Norcia is the nexus of Italian black truffle country, and the hotel’s Ristorante Vespasia is Michelin starred.

Other winners:

Best Achievement in Design: Six Senses Douro Valley, Lamego, Portugal
Best Dining Experience: La Terrazza—Hotel Eden Rome, Rome
Best Bar: Bar Hemingway—Ritz Paris, Paris
Best Family Program: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Florida.
Best Wellness Program: Canyon Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Best Virtuoso Experience: Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Best Virtuoso Newcomer: Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, New York City
Sustainable Tourism Leadership: Cavallo Point: The Lodge at the Golden Gate, Sausalito, California
Best Virtuoso Hotel Ambassador: Kees Hogetoorn—Grand Hotel Amsterdam, an Accor Hotel
Hotelier of the Year: Susanne Hatje—Mandarin Oriental, New York, New York City

Virtuoso received input from its 800-plus travel agency partners and more than 16,000 professional travel advisors to name the winners in each category. Editors of Virtuoso Life, the network’s magazine, helped to select the nominees for each category.

“This year’s Best of the Best winners are truly renowned properties,” said Albert Herrera, senior vice president for global product partnerships for Virtuoso. “They constantly redefine modern luxury by proactively reimagining the guest experience and inspiring others within our own industry to think bigger.”

Founded in 1992 with 20 hotels, Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts is marking its 25th anniversary in 2017.

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