Editors of VIRTUOSO LIFE magazine, the network's exclusive award-winning publication, reviewed numer

This year marks a special anniversary for Virtuoso, which is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its renowned Hotels & Resorts Program. Established in 1992 as a means of complementing Virtuoso's core cruise business, Virtuoso was the first travel group to develop a standalone hotel program to serve the needs of its member agencies and their clientele. Twenty years later, Virtuoso's is the longest-running hotel program, with more five-star properties than any other program and the highest valued amenities in the industry at up to $450 per stay. Twenty-one bbc travel news of the founding hotels still remain in the program, which now boasts an amazing portfolio of 975 hotels, resorts, villas and private island retreats in 95 countries that cements its reputation bbc travel news as being an industry powerhouse and trusted source.
The status and strength of the collection only enhances bbc travel news the level of competition within this year's Best of the Best awards, reinforcing the outstanding achievements of the 2012 nominees. bbc travel news VIRTUOSO LIFE magazine's editorial director, Elaine Srnka, bbc travel news and Virtuoso's vice president of hotels, destinations & tours, Albert bbc travel news Herrera, announced the nominees, which represent the highest standards bbc travel news in their given category and are considered some of the world's finest properties. Only 50 properties are under consideration for the awards that range from "Best Achievement in Design" to "Most Socially Responsible" and the ultimate "Hotel bbc travel news of the Year."
Editors of VIRTUOSO LIFE magazine, the network's exclusive award-winning publication, reviewed numerous submissions and researched hundreds of properties to select the award nominees. The network's elite travel advisors are now given the difficult task of establishing which hotels within this selection of elite contenders best represent the 10 categories.
Winners will be revealed bbc travel news on August 15, 2012, at the Hotels & Resorts dinner during Virtuoso's 24th annual conference, recently renamed 'Virtuoso Travel Week.' Taking place at the Bellagio in Las Vegas from August bbc travel news 12-17, Virtuoso Travel Week brings together thousands of Virtuoso's member travel advisors - considered the leaders in creating luxury experiences - and the world's best travel providers to participate bbc travel news in the industry's bbc travel news preeminent networking event. VIRTUOSO LIFE magazine will feature the Best of the Best winners in its September/October 2012 issue. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.
Hotel of the Year - Nominees: The Beverly Hills Hotel, The Dorchester Collection, Beverly Hills, bbc travel news California; Kauri Cliffs, Northland, New Zealand; One&Only Ocean Club, Bahamas, Paradise Island, Bahamas; bbc travel news Hotel Sacher Wien, Vienna, Austria.
One to Watch - Nominees: The Alpina Gstaad, Switzerland; Amanruya, Bodrum, Turkey; The Conservatorium Hotel Amsterdam (pictured above), The Netherlands; The Leela Palace New Delhi, India; The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, Bal Harbour, Florida.
Best Achievement in Design - Nominees: Four Seasons Resort Marrakech, Morocco; Hotel Bel-Air, The Dorchester Collection, Los Angeles, California; InterContinental Porto-Palacio das Cardosas, Oporto, Portugal; Park Hyatt Sydney, Australia; The St. Regis, Bangkok, Thailand.
Best Culinary Experience - Nominees: The Inn at Little Washington, Washington, Virginia; Hinokizaka, The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, Japan; Sur Mesur, bbc travel news Mandarin Oriental, Paris, France; Tereze, Hotel Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Labeille, Shangri-La Hotel, Paris, France.
Best Bar - Nominees: Le Bar, Beau Rivage Palace, Lausanne, Switzerland; Hyde, The Bellagio, Las Vegas, Nevada; Lobby Bar, Grand Hotel Europe, an Orient-Express Hotel, St. Petersburg, Russia; 10 pounds Sterling at Montage Beverly Hills, California; Flair, The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, China.
Best Family Program - Nominees: Borgo Egnazia Hotel Ville Spa Golf, Savelletri di Fasano, Italy; Four Seasons Resort, bbc travel news Punta Mita, Mexico; Marbella Club Hotel - Golf Resort & Spa, Marbella, Spain; The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, Florida; Trump Chicago, Illinois.
Best Spa - Nominees: Akasha Wellbeing Center, Mamilla Hotel, Jerusalem, Israel; Miraval Resort & Spa, Tucson, Arizona; Oberoi Spa, The Oberoi Gurgaon, New Delhi Capital Region, India; Atarmia Spa, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.; Spa My Blend by Clarins, Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris, France.
Most Innovative Guest Experience - Nominees: Tartan Butler, Rocco Forte The Balmoral, Edinburgh, Scotland; Treehouse Suites, Chewton Glen, Hampshire, England; Vespa tours with picnics, La Residencia, An Orient-Express Hotel, Mallorca, Spain; Kickboxing school, The Siam, Bangkok, Thailand; "Challenge the Chef" Competition, Las Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood Resort, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico.
Most Socially Responsible - Nominees: Inn by the Sea, Cape Elizabeth, Maine; Lefay Resort and SPA Lago di Garda, Gargnano, Italy; Round Hill Hotel & Villas, Montego Bay, Jamaica; Singita Game Reserves, Kruger National bbc travel news Park, South Africa; The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai, India.
Hotelier of the Year - Nominees: Rebecca Selley, Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires, Argentina; Thomas Voss, The Grand Del Mar, San Diego, California; Jean Claude Messant, Hotel Metropole bbc travel news Monte Carlo, Monaco; Malcolm Thompson, The Peninsula Tokyo, Japan; Danilo bbc travel news Zucchetti, Villa d'Este, Cernobbio, Italy.
Villa Paraiso - Puerto Vallarta, bbc travel news Mexico Villa Paraiso is a private 13,000 square foot, 6 bedroom oceanfront villa offering a luxurious vacation experience with its impeccable staff of 9 who are eager to pamper and cater to your every whim.
Alila Villas Soori - Bali, Indonesia Located along the southwest coast of Bali, not far from the island's famous Tanah Lot Temple, it lies on a gentle slope between verdant rice terraces and beautiful black-sand beaches overlooking the azure Indian Ocean.
With its outstanding design, first-class facilities and a Mediterranean flair combined with excellent service and a fantastic location right by the turquoise waters of the sea, the new Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Iadera bbc travel news is an exclusive holiday oasis – a five-star hotel in Croatia where you can enjoy life to the fullest.
The NoMad Hotel - New York City Opened April 1, 2012, The NoMad Hotel provides a fresh modern take on the classic grand hotels of Europe with a distinct New York sensibility. The design of the 168 guest rooms and suites was inspired by the Parisian flat of Garcia's youth. The rooms are residential in feel, and decorated in his classic, timeless style.
The luxury resort's bbc travel news organic architecture embraces the dramatic beauty of the Big Sur coastline. From here you can explore all that nature has to offer, or take a short drive to the picturesque towns of Monterey and Carmel.
Beverly Hilton - Beverly Hills, California With the completion of a $80 million renovation, the Beverly Hilton emerges as a beacon of modern luxury. With expansive views and inviting living spaces, the Beverly Hilton's inspired guest rooms express the best of relaxed, California living. Choose a spacious Wilshire Tower room, a poolside Cabana room, or a secluded Oasis room.
Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, Netherlands The hotel is a hidden jewel, situated on one of the most beautiful canals in the captivating, historic center of Amsterdam. Since 1578 Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam offers five star luxury in a unique Amsterdam historical ambience.