Ensemble Releases New 2009 Hotel & Resort Collection

From the elegant and regal to the ultra hip and modern, the just-released 2009 Ensemble Travel Group’s Hotel & Resort Collection, Gateway to Luxury is offering hundreds of  properties designed to meet the diverse needs of today's affluent traveler, Ensemble says. More than 200,000 households have received copies of the 226-page book.

“Not only have we expanded our offerings in hot spots like the Maldives and Portugal, we’ve also branched out to attract different types of travelers," said Suzanne Hall, senior director, marketing and development, land products for Ensemble Travel Group. "Like the Hyatt’s new Andaz brand, which caters to the hip luxury client looking for understated elegance with no fuss. Our program offers a wealth of diversity for the luxury-seeker."

The new book includes a host of new standouts, including Banyan Tree Mayakoba (Mexico), The Blue Train (South Africa), The Grand Mauritian (Mauritus), and The Andaz (London and West Hollywood). Also new to this year’s hotel program are such high profile properties as The Rocco Forte Collection, The Peninsula New York, and The Regent Grand Resort Bordeaux, Ensemble says.

The amenity-rich program began the year with nearly 500 properties worldwide – an increase of about 35 percent in partnerships over the last year. According to Hall, reasons for the program’s success are many, including the valuable input from members of the hotel advisory council. “They’ve had a significant role in the program’s recent growth. A number of the new stellar properties were the result of their recommendations and connections,” Hall explains, who also points to the new Ensemble Lifestyles magazine as being a major factor in its success.

Also, properties understand the importance of Ensemble Travel Group members as a key part of their distribution network. Says Rocco Forte's David MacGregor, director of sales, North America, “With 11 European hotels currently in our luxury portfolio and four more opening within the next two years, the future of The Rocco Forte Collection is very exciting. And as we continue to grow our brand awareness, Ensemble Travel Group's dynamic membership in both the U.S. and Canada will be a vital link to our success."

The 2009 Ensemble Hotel & Resort Collection has recently been sent to more than 200,000 households on behalf of Ensemble Travel Group members. The individual agency’s name and contact information is prominently displayed on the cover of this coffee-table book, in addition to featuring a personal client letter from the travel agency. This strong agency positioning further strengthens each member’s reputation as a luxury travel expert.

In addition to the extraordinary properties, the program also features an array of complimentary Ensemble Exclusives, such as daily breakfast, round-trip airport transfers, rounds of golf, and spa/resort credits valued at an average savings of $50 per day. Participating hotels and resorts must meet a specific set of criteria, including location in desirable vacation destinations or cosmopolitan cities and offer superlative service and facilities. Standard amenities include VIP service and preferred rates, and when available, early check-in, late checkout, and room upgrades, in addition to the property-specific Ensemble Exclusive.

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