Meeting Star Award 2016: Top Resort Meeting Hotels

GOOD, BETTER, THE BEST.  SOO GOOD THAT WE COULDN’T IGNORE IT!

Based on 133 hidden guests’ ratings, which have been published in the Kongres Magazine, we have selected the winners of the MEETING STAR AWARD 2016.

– 5 categories, 12 hidden guests
– 465 evaluation criteria
– 45 City Meeting Hotels evaluated
– 38 Resort Meeting Hotels evaluated
– 16 Spa Meeting Hotels evaluated
– 16 Boutique Hotels evaluated
– 18 Congress and Convention Centres evaluated

Today we have evaluated 38 resort meeting hotels and here is our top ten:

1. HOTEL REGENT PORTO MONTENEGRO
The hotel sets new regional hoteliers’ standards and also sets Montenegro among the most luxurious tourist destinations, so it isn’t surprising that it was nominated for the World Luxury Awards 2015. The ratings of its individual criteria speak for themselves; the hotel offers comfort, a range of top quality materials, luxurious elegance and a high quality offer of its spa centre, for which a visit is a very special experience and why many famous and rich people have already visited Regent Porto Montenegro. You too can reserve your space among the VIPs in one of its 51 rooms.

2. GRAND HOTEL KEMPINSKI HIGH TATRAS
The hotel is an attractive Slovak tourist icon, in a picturesque location, which makes everything look like a fairytale. It is a simple hotel which awakens the imagination, raises the heartbeat and is perfect for congress events of the highest order. It is an institution where guests can relax in the wellness center, indulge in culinary treats from the chefs, taste some excellent wine or fully focus on meetings and events with a view. Lovers of culture will certainly appreciate the artwork throughout the hotel. The Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras has won multiple awards which are justified by the experience it offers.

3. KEMPINSKI PALACE
The Kempinski Palace is simply an excellent congress hotel. With their experience in incentive travel, conferences and complicated corporate events, they have set new standards and assured the number one spot in the region. Since the last evaluation, the Palace hotel has had major improvements in terms of service quality, staff and cuisine. In addition to the standard, top-notch Kempinski service you would expect, the hotel has its unique style, which accentuates the legendary character and Habsburg elegance. All of this shows why the Kempinski Palace is at the top of the luxury offer in Slovenia.

4. FALKENSTEINER SCHLOSS HOTEL VELDEN
Upon entering the hotel you instantly feel positivity and calm. The natural colours and wood blend nicely with the green surroundings, which can best be observed from the outdoor pool. Privacy is guaranteed by the many hidden corners simply intended for events. This was also one of the reasons why the hotel has acquired numerous titles as best hotel and has become a trademark of Carinthian tourism. At the time of our last assessment there has been a change in hotel management, which is today clearly at the peak of the regional hotel offer. Steered by German precision and Austrian charm it is the concept of excellence in every field.

5. HOTEL LONE
We understand design hotels as an experience that includes reflection and very personal contact with culture, nature and the culinary art of the destination. The creators of Hotel Lone, the first Croatian design hotel, were probably thinking along the same lines, and we like it. Lovers of hotel glamour and kitsch may not like it, however, but we think that the luxury is in the small details, like the enormous room service menu and the hotel guide in broadsheet newspaper format, or in the selected fabric for curtains or the numerous other small details. The hotel is ideal for “DINKS” and young professionals, and is a monument of Croatian creativity and the zeitgeist of the new generation.

6. FALKENSTEINER IADERA
The overall result of the resort is extremely good. The congress centre is functional and cleverly designed with warm colours and daylight, offering all you need for a great incentive programme. The hotel follows the known standards of the Falkensteiner group and is an excellent choice for incentive and product launches and smaller conferences. It is important to avoid the high tourist season and go for less frequent dates, carefully planning the arrivals logistics. From what we saw and experienced we can only give a firm nod of approval.

7. HOTEL BELLEVUE
Following renovation an elegant and extremely elaborate – in fact almost timeless – hotel has been created, something that is also reflected in its exceptional and truly top-class logo. With its richness and content diversity it functions almost as a mini-city into which the convention centre is also nicely positioned. A team of Croatian architects, led by the renowned Andrija Ruslan, has done excellent work and created a space that today a youthful team is filling with kindness, positive energy and a superior level of service.

8. D-RESORT
Until recently Šibenik would have been considered something a bit off the beaten MICE track, but in recent years it has been rapidly moving in the right direction. Where a former navy military barracks once stood, today a luxury resort owned by the Turkish Dogus Group company stands as part of the new Marina Mandalina. Architecturally the hotel is highly impressive, yet at the same time remains completely personalised. The decision to reveal the natural concrete skeleton of the building is exceptional and throws up new architectural surprises. The youthful and inspired personnel and this amazing city with its urban culture and very special joyfulness really stand out.

9. HOTEL MONTE MULINI
This is a hotel to enjoy and for which the entire business philosophy has been covered; it looks good, is superbly equipped and offers a healthy number of extras. There are only a handful of hotels that can delight and thrill as fully as Monte Mulini does and the longer we spent in the hotel, the better was the feeling that it is an extraordinary gastronomic oasis too. A real 5 star hotel in an excellent location and suitable for the most demanding and exclusive conference events.

9. MIND HOTEL SLOVENIJA
After thorough renovation, the completely redesigned Hotel Slovenija has become a pure blooded 5 star hotel. It is situated right by the Portorož promenade overlooking the sea, which gives it special charm. They’ve positioned it as a winter thermal resort, which is quite convenient for congress organizers. The hotel houses a modern congress centre and two excelent mediteranean restaurants. The cherry on top is definitely the concept of “Brain Food” creative cooking that congress guests always appreciate. Hotel Slovenija has brought a fresh breeze to the congress-hotel offer in Portorož and stands as an excelent diversification of the area.

10. HOTEL LAV MERIDIEN
It is in a class of its own on the current hotel and convention scene in Split. The Starwood operators have done their homework thoroughly and are winners in a hotel’s most sensitive area – the friendliness and professionalism of the staff. In the past this has earned them a place among the best in its class, but there are also some shortcomings with the hotel too, particularly in the field of catering and hospitality, where one would expect a little more from a top end hotel. Overall, though, this is a balanced congress hotel that is elegant and charming, making it a perfect choice for the most demanding congress clients.

10. HOTEL SHERATON
Dubrovnik is with this hotel richer for a true convention hotel, which would want any well-developed meetings destination. With its location halfway between the airport and Dubrovnik is located perfectly. The hotel is managed by the management of HUP Company under the Sheraton franchise, and such partnership proved to be successful. Compliance with high standards can be seen and felt in every step. As a whole acts modern and at the same time very enjoyable. According to assurances from managers, the hotel will operate throughout the whole year, which means a great contribution for the meetings industry of Dubrovnik. It is especially suitable for car launch events with the entire necessary infrastructure.

The Meeting Star Award has been organised for the sixth successive year and the principle remains the same – the winners are selected by hidden congress guests, who make an independent evaluation of the quality of the hotel, congress, restaurant and other services.