Virtuoso(R) Proudly Reveals 2010 Guide to the World's Best Hotel Experiences

NEW YORK, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading luxury network Virtuoso® proudly announces that its Best of the Best: 2010 Guide to the World's Best Hotel Experiences is now available to consumers around the globe. The ever-popular guide highlights the hotels and resorts of its elite worldwide membership, featuring incredible properties in unique locations, with extraordinary services and top-drawer amenities. Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts, considered the most exclusive hotel program in the industry, currently includes more than 800 world-renowned properties in 89 countries.

This year's guide features a stunning cover shot and photography of the renowned One&Only Cape Town in South Africa, an urban chic waterfront resort with captivating views of Table Mountain and a private Spa Island, a Virtuoso preferred property. The first page presents the exclusive Virtuoso amenities that await consumers when they reserve their stay through a knowledgeable Virtuoso travel advisor, such as room upgrades, breakfast for two daily, early check-in and late check-out, preferred rates and availability, and value-added Virtuoso amenities.  Also, as in past years, each listing features a valuable "In the Know" tip provided by one of Virtuoso's expert travel advisors who has experienced the property firsthand.

"The hotels featured in our Best of the Best guide represent the high caliber and integrity that travelers expect of Virtuoso and our member travel advisors," said Albert Herrera, Vice President of Hotels, Destinations & Tours for Virtuoso.  "Based on the recommendation of the members that make up the Hotels & Resorts Committee, we personally invite each property that you find in Best of the Best.  They are re-evaluated each year to ensure we maintain the highest standards in service, room quality, and overall experience, making this collection of world renowned properties truly the Best of the Best.

Highlights include:

• Annual Best of the Best Award Winners (Page 6) Singled out by Virtuoso travel advisors as extraordinary
• Virtuoso Lifestyle: Villas & Private Retreats (Page 8) Travel dreams come true at these exclusive hideaways
• Africa & Middle East (Page 18) Explore wildlife-filled savannahs, ancient wonders and timeless cultures
• Asia & Pacific (Page 42) Venture to a land of gilded cities, glistening reefs, great walls and other architectural masterpieces
• Caribbean & Bermuda (Page 102) Stroll miles of soft-sand beaches rimmed by turquoise waters
• Canada & United States (Page 124) Escape to coastal resorts, cosmopolitan hotels and romantic mountain lodges
• Europe (Page 236) Enjoy enchanting stays in medieval castles, opulent estates and glamorous metropolitan retreats
• Mexico, Central & South America (Page 346) Wander colorful markets, wonder at ancient Mayan cities, and hike through rainforests
• Introducing the Newest Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts (Page 380) Meet the most recent hotels to be named among Virtuoso's Best of the Best

View the digital version of Virtuoso Best of the Best by clicking here.

About Virtuoso

Virtuoso® is the industry's leading luxury travel network.  This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 300 agencies with more than 6,000 elite travel specialists in 22 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, as well as over 1,000 of the world's best travel providers and premier destinations.  The network's member agencies generate over $5.1 billion annually in travel sales, making the group the most powerful in the luxury travel segment.  Their relationships with the finest travel companies provide the network's affluent clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. Virtuoso is the exclusive network of travel services and benefits provided by MasterCard® for participating World Elite MasterCard® programs. For more information, please visit www.virtuoso.com.

SOURCE Virtuoso