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MGM GRAND NAMED WORLD'S LEADING CASINO RESORT F O R 2 0 1 3 B Y W O R L D T R A V E L A W A R D S During the recent 20th World Travel Awards, MGM Grand was announced as the World's Leading Casino Resort for 2013. A four-time recipient of the honor, MGM Grand received the award through votes cast by travel agents worldwide. "MGM Grand provides the com- plete Las Vegas resort experience, and I'm pleased that industry professionals have chosen us the best of the best in the world," said Scott Sibella, president and COO of MGM Grand. "The rea- son we are able to receive wonderful accolades such as this is because of the high level of quality, consistent service our staff delivers to guests each and every day." The award also reflects the travel industry's appreciation for MGM Grand's offerings, including the aston- ishing KÀ by Cirque du Soleil, and sig- nature restaurants by celebrity chefs such as Tom Colicchio, Wolfgang Puck and "Chef of the Century" Joël Robuchon. The resort recently remodeled all rooms and suites and launched the indus- try's first-ever STAY WELL Collection. MGM Grand is home to many of today's hottest DJs including Tiësto, the new Hakkasan Las Vegas Restaurant and Nightclub and WET REPUBLIC, The Strip's hottest day life destination. The hotel also features a state-of-the-art, non-smoking Five Green Key conference cen- ter, the Grand Spa and an inviting six-acre pool complex. Considered "the Oscars of the Travel Industry", World Travel Awards (WTA) launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognize excellence in the global travel and tourism industry. Votes are cast by the industry's elite, including CEOs of leading travel companies, tourism executives, and travel experts from around the world. H I L T O N W O R L D W I D E O P E N S EMBASSY SUITES SAVANNAH HISTORIC DISTRICT Perfectly placed in the historic downtown district of Savannah, Georgia, is the new Embassy Suites Savannah, which opened its doors to guests December 30th, just in time to ring in 2014. The staff of the 150-suite hotel welcomed their first guests on December 30th to this beautiful old-world charm area in what is one of America's favorite cities. "We're delighted to expand our presence in Georgia and particularly in the heart of downtown Savannah," said John Rogers, global head of Embassy Suites Hotels. "This is the second property in the area to feature the Embassy Suites brand's Design Option III concept, which brings the unique Embassy Suites attrib- utes to life in a way that is attractive to developers and contributes toward an enhanced guest experience." The innovative and flexible design features a variety of two-room suites in addition to a contemporary atrium area. The design decreases the amount of land needed and creates efficiencies for both construction and operational costs. These features also further enhance the guest experience, as there is still a great sense of space and more natural light in guest rooms and public areas like the atrium. Located near Savannah landmark attractions, shopping and dining, Embassy Suites Savannah also features all of the signature amenities standard at any Embassy Suites hotel, including free cooked-to-order breakfast each morning, a two-hour complimentary evening reception and two-room suites with a separate living area, private bedroom, two flat-screen high-definition televisions and wet bar fitted with a microwave, mini-fridge and a selection of gourmet coffee and teas from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. The hotel also boasts an outdoor pool and a 24-hour complimentary fitness center. For groups and meetings, the hotel offers over 5,600 sq. ft. of meeting space, complimentary internet access in public areas and a 24-hour business center. The new hotel employs 55 team members. The hotel was constructed and developed by Bennett Hospitality, one of the largest locally owned development companies in Charleston, South Carolina. Bennett Hospitality owns and operates several hotels and restaurants in Charleston and Savannah, as well as in Kalispell and Bozeman, Montana. The hotel is led by 30-year hospitality veteran Christopher J. Crane, CHA as general manager. Crane will oversee the opening operations; implementing hotel B M & T ••• January/February 2014 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 10 H O T E L H A P P E N I N G S •pg_3-11__BMT_pg3-58 2/27/14 3:05 PM Page 10