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Good news is rare these days, but it’s out there.
This month, Condé Nast Traveler revealed its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, with four Irish hotels ranked among the top 10 resorts in Europe.
Ashford Castle (4), Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in Doonbeg (5), Adare Manor (9) and Dromoland Castle (10) are featured on a list headed by the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa in France.
No other country saw so many properties in the Top 10.
The 33rd Annual American Magazine Awards celebrate everything from the world’s largest city (San Miguel de Allende, Mexico) to its number 1 airline (Singapore Airlines) and the best hotel (Baur au Lac, Switzerland).
Conde Nast’s categories and winners, voted largely by US readers, tend to reflect the ways their voters travel and the places they visit.
Hotels are judged as individual buildings, for example, while resorts are considered properties spread over larger areas with a wider selection of activities, often in natural settings.
This year’s vote took place during the closing, “when the idea of going beyond local stores seemed like a dream,” he said.
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NCAD Inspired Afternoon Tea at The Westbury
“Despite this, readers voted for places they love and would return to.”
The 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards also included Ireland’s top 10 hotels, with The Westbury in Dublin taking No. 1, followed by Lough Eske Castle in Co Donegal and Ballynahinch Castle in Connemara.
Ireland’s Top 10 Hotels (2020 Readers’ Choice Awards)
- The Westbury, Dublin
- Lough Eske Castle, Co Donegal
- Ballynahinch, Co Galway
- The Lodge at Ashford Castle, Co Mayo
- Kilkea Castle, Co Kildare
- Park Hotel Kenmare, Co Kerry
- Ballyfin, Co Laois
- The Shelbourne, Dublin
- The Merrion, Dublin
- Croke Park Hotel, Dublin
“In a year that has brought many challenges, we are sincerely grateful,” said Vincent O’Gorman, general manager of The Westbury, who thanked the guests on behalf of his team.
The awards come when a new survey of 3,000 American and Canadian travelers, conducted in conjunction with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), saw 70 percent say they plan to take a vacation in 2021.
Europe (38%), the Caribbean (34%) and Mexico (15%) were the highest ranked international destinations of interest, which generated some optimism given the collapse of international travel in 2020.
Tourism Ireland tracker research conducted during the pandemic shows that foreign markets still have a favorable impression of Ireland, with most looking forward to the summer of 2021 for their next possible trip to Europe.
However, consumer uncertainty about the risks of exposure to Covid-19 and concerns about being quarantined remain “a core issue,” said Gloria Guevara, president and CEO of WTTC.
“With rapid tests to replace quarantine requirements, improved contact tracing, and industry-by-sector standards that can be clearly communicated to the public, we can help alleviate many of those concerns.”
In other Condé Nast award categories, Italy was named ‘Best Country’, Belmond British Pullman as ‘Best Train’ and Singapore’s Changi as ‘Best Airport’.
Full results are revealed in the November issue or online here.
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