Virtuoso Honours Four Seasons Resort Orlando with 2015 Best of the Best Hotel Award

International luxury travel network Virtuoso announced the winners of its prestigious 2015 Best of the Best hotel awards on August 12, 2015 at its 27th annual Virtuoso Travel Week conference, where Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort was recognised as the winner of the Best Family Program. Drawing from some of the most well-known names in the industry, the Best of the Best awards recognise the world’s top properties and hoteliers. The awards were presented before an audience of more than 1,500 attendees during the Hotels & Resorts Dinner at Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The award was accepted by Susan Helstab, Executive Vice President of Marketing for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and Kristin Miller, Director of Travel Industry Sales for Four Seasons Resort Orlando.

"We couldn't be prouder of our entire Resort team for garnering such an accolade,” says Ben Shank, Resort Manager of Four Seasons Resort Orlando. “There are so many touch points within a guest’s experience, and this speaks volumes not only to our physical product, but most importantly, our service team who cares for our guests from the heart.  We have a dynamic team of energetic, compassionate, innovative and genuine people.  Knowing there are many amazing family programs around the world, we are humbled to have been selected by the Virtuoso community as the Best Family Program."

With an impressive portfolio of nearly 1,100 hotels, resorts, villas and private island retreats in more than 100 countries, Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts is the industry’s most influential program of its kind. Founded in 1992, the program broke new ground in luxury travel, and today offers more five-star properties than any other.

“Virtuoso has been hand-selecting the world’s finest properties for its famed Hotels & Resorts program for more than two decades, so deciding which ones represent the Best of the Best is challenging each year,” said Albert Herrera, senior vice president, Global Product Partnerships for Virtuoso. “The Best of the Best winners exemplify the highest standard of hospitality excellence in their given category and it’s a pleasure to celebrate Four Seasons Resort Orlando as the winner of Best Family Program.”

Virtuoso’s travel advisors voted to determine the Best of the Best winners for each category from a slate of nominees in 10 categories. The nominees, announced in June of this year, were also initially suggested by Virtuoso’s expert advisors. The field was narrowed to the final nominees with research from the editors of Virtuoso Life, the network’s multi-award-winning magazine. As a Best of the Best award recipient, Four Seasons Resort Orlando will be featured in Virtuoso Life’s September/October 2015 issue.

A highlight for families visiting Four Seasons Resort Orlando is the Resort’s five-acre (two hectare) Explorer Island water park, including a winding lazy river complete with a rapids section, two water slides, an interactive splash zone with water cannons, and much more.  Family fun abounds, with activities including table tennis, bocce ball, beach volleyball, a rock climbing wall and more, all found at Explorer Island.   The Hideout at Explorer Island is a separate freestanding building offering the latest gaming systems, billiards and more.  Additionally, The Mansion at Explorer Island is home to the Kids For All Seasons program, providing a complimentary kids camp for children ages 4 to 12 on a daily basis during the hours of 10:00 am to 6:00 pm - a one-of-a-kind offering in Central Florida. While children are having a blast at Kids For All Seasons, moms and dads can enjoy relaxation at the 18-treatment room Spa, or unwind in the paradise of The Oasis adult pool for ages 21 and up, featuring cabanas and poolside cocktail service.  Tennis aficionados can enjoy the three Har-Tru tennis courts and a variety of clinics, matches and more offered in partnership with Peter Burwash International.  A spacious lakeside fitness centre is available 24-hours a day, with fitness classes ranging from yoga to cardio offered on a weekly basis.  In addition, the 18-hole Tranquilo Golf Club is perfect for Mom and Dad to enjoy a tee time for two while kids are enjoying Kids For All Seasons.  For added family time, aspiring little golfers age 12 and under golf for free with a paid adult greens fee.  Tranquilo also offers special family golf carts that seat four. In addition to all of the on-site amenities, Four Seasons Resort Orlando offers a wonderful connectivity to Disney.

Four Seasons Resort Orlando is the only AAA Five Diamond Award rated property in Central Florida.  

About Virtuoso

Virtuoso is the leading international travel agency network specialising in luxury and experiential travel. This by-invitation-only organization comprises more than 370 agency members with more than 9,800 elite travel advisors in 30 countries throughout North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.  Drawing upon its preferred relationships with 1,700 of the world’s best hotels and resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour companies and premier destinations, the network provides its upscale clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access.  More than USD 14 billion in annual travel sales makes Virtuoso a powerhouse in the luxury travel industry.