Arabella Scoops Top Golf Award

10 December 2007

Cancun / Hermanus, 10 December 2008 – At the annual conference of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) being held in Cancun, Mexico, it was today announced that Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa has been named the Golf Resort of the Year for 2008 in the Rest of the World category (outside Europe and North America).

Arabella had been nominated as a finalist along with numerous other top resorts in the region that covers Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Reacting to the news, Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa General Manager Christoph Leinberger said, "We are delighted to have been awarded this prestigious accolade and are very proud to have been recognised by IAGTO. We always strive to exceed our guests' expectations and this award is confirmation that we are succeeding in doing that. We will certainly work hard to continue to provide the very best experience possible for our guests."

Director of Golf at Arabella Golf Club John Bumpsteed concurred, saying: "This award is testament to the hard work put in by all our staff, from course maintenance to clubhouse and hotel staff. We are very proud to be leading the way and will continue to ensure that Arabella is a shining example for golf tourism in the Overberg region and in the whole of South Africa."

Arabella's celebrated golf course is rated as the best in the Western Cape by both Compleat Golfer and Golf Digest SA magazines and the Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa is recognised as one of the leading resort hotels in South Africa, with its luxurious spa also garnering numerous awards. The resort will soon see the addition of a Nicklaus Design golf course as part of its second phase, with construction starting in 2008.

Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa, South Africa 1459kb jpg Peter Walton, Chief Executive - IAGTO Starwood's Alejandra Taronjí representing Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa, South Africa	Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa, South Africa 1550kb jpg Peter Walton, Chief Executive - IAGTO Starwood's Alejandra Taronjí representing Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa, South Africa
Ceremony - ArabellaSheraton Western Cape 1659kb jpg Ed Freeman, Marketing Communications Manager - Hertz Europe Starwood's Alejandra Taronjí representing Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa, South Africa	Ceremony - ArabellaSheraton Western Cape 1806kb jpg Ed Freeman, Marketing Communications Manager - Hertz Europe Starwood's Alejandra Taronjí representing Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa, South Africa

ENDS
10th December 2007

Notes for Editors

Click here for more Photographs & Logos of the IAGTO Awards 2008

ArabellaStarwood Hotels & Resorts

ArabellaStarwood Hotels & Resorts is a company of Arabella Hotel Holding International GmbH & Co. KG (51%), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Schoerghuber Corporate Group and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (49%), one of the world's largest hotel companies with 850 establishments to its name in 95 countries. As the central umbrella company, ArabellaStarwood Hotels & Resorts manages the marketing and sales of a total of 42 hotels and resorts in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Balearic islands and South Africa. As many as 31 of the 44 hotels are managed by the ArabellaStarwood Group. The portfolio of ArabellaStarwood Hotels & Resorts comprises the brands: The Luxury Collection, St. Regis, Westin, Le Méridien, Sheraton and Four Points by Sheraton.

All tourism services, such as Golf & Sport, Spa & Wellness, Wine & Gourmet Cuisine, Art & Culture as well as Classic Cars are combined and further expanded within the brand of Arabella – the company name used by the hotel division.

For Information:

Arabella South Africa Holding
Convention Square
Lower Long Str
Cape Town, 8001
South Africa

Hanri du Toit
Tel: +27 21 4129024
Fax: +27 21 4129035
hanri.dutoit@arabellastarwood.co.za
www.starwoodpressclub.com