And the winners are ...: the votes are in and business travellers across the region have had their say on Asia's best hotels.

• Position: Best Business Hotels in Asia Awards - Awards list

For the fifth time, the Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai has been named Overall Best Business Hotel in Asia. The Best Business Hotels in Asia Awards, now in their ninth year, have become one of the most sought after prizes in the highly competitive Asia Pacific hotel industry.

The awards were established in 1998 to recognise the hotels that provide the business travellers with excellence in service and facilities, and to encourage quality throughout the business hotel industry. The prestigious Awards honour the top business hotels from 14 countries across Asia Pacific in 17 different categories.

This year over 100 hotels were nominated and more than 16,000 votes were received--both online and using the coupon found in Business Asia Magazine. Business travellers were asked to nominate their favourite hotels across the 17 different categories and then to name their choice for Best Business Hotel in Asia.

Conrad Hong Kong has again shown great form, winning the Hong Kong category for the sixth time in a row. Pan Pacific Hotel International Airport, Kuala Lumpur, has held it's position as the dominating hotel for Best Airport Hotel category. The hotel has won the category since it's introduction in 2000. The hotel continues to keep it's secret on how to be the best Airport hotel--many others would love to know what it is. The Hotel Inter-Continental Wellington has taken out the prize for New Zealand this, having won the award first in 2001 and again in 2003.

The Grand Hyatt Mumbai is a first time winner of the Best Business Hotel in India category and Grand Hyatt Jakarta has returned to win the Best Business Hotel in Indonesia category--the first time they won the award was in 1998, again in 2000 and 2003. The Makati Shangri-La Manila has made a return to victory winning the category for the Philippines--the first time they won the award was in 1998 followed up in 1999. Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers has again won the Best Business Hotel in Vietnam.

The Four Seasons Tokyo Marunouchi is a first time winner for Japan with another first time winner in the Best New Hotel--Lebua at State Tower. The Westin Chosun is also a first time winner for South Korea.

2006/07 WINNERS

AUSTRALIA Crown Towers, Melbourne

CHINA Westin Shanghai

HONG KONG Conrad Hong Kong

INDONESIA Grand Hyatt Jakarta

INDIA Grand Hyatt Mumbai

JAPAN Four Seasons Tokyo Marunouchi

MALAYSIA Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur

NEW ZEALAND Hotel Inter-Continental Wellington

PHILIPPINES Makati Shangri-La Manila

SINGAPORE Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore

SOUTH KOREA The Westin Chosun

TAIWAN Grand Formosa Regent Taipei

THAILAND The Oriental Bangkok

VIETNAM Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers

BEST NEW HOTEL Lebua at State Tower

BEST AIRPORT HOTEL Pan Pacific Hotel International Airport, Kuala Lumpur

BEST OVERALL HOTEL Portman Ritz-Carlton Shanghai

OVERALL BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN ASIA

WINNER: Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai

Stroll down the famous Nanjing Xi Lu, past the magnificent Bund buildings and restored architectural icons, to a place where the traditions of the past intersect with the ultra modern. Here, in the heart of Shanghai, you'll find The Portman Ritz-Carlton--a timeless symbol of luxury, perfectly at home in a constantly changing metropolis.

Located 20 minutes from the Hong Qiao International Airport and 40 minutes from Pudong International Airport, the Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai is a landmark located in a retail, dining and entertainment complex on the famous Nanjing Road.

Catering to the most discerning guests, dignitaries and celebrities, The Portman Ritz-Carlton features 598 well appointed guest rooms and suites, 6 restaurants and lounges serving Chinese, Italian, Japanese and Western favorites, an extensive health club with swimming pool, gym, squash and racquetball courts, a full-service hair salon and convenient access to world-class shopping, cultural opportunities and entertainment.

With a contemporary decor enriched by touches of Asian influences reflecting Shanghai's modernity and historical bearings, the luxuriously appointed accommodation are a cornerstone of luxury and comfort. New Shanghai Rooms provide an exceptional stay, while Club rooms and suites offer an added measure of pampering and exclusivity.

The Ritz-Carlton specialises in pairing ideal meeting venues with impeccable service. From exclusive board meetings, to product launches or corporate-wide celebrations or from a private dinner for 10 to an annual meeting for 500 the Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai has all the ingredients that event planners look for in a five-star hotel partner and they ensure that all your events are memorably excellent.

The Portman Ritz-Carlton offers:

* 10 unique function rooms

* 900 square meter atrium

* 991-seat Shanghai Centre Theater

* More than 5400 square meters of total meeting space

* Wireless Internet access in function rooms, ballrooms and surrounding vicinity

* Dedicated Conference Services and Catering team including technical support experts

Complete catering, conference and audiovisual services are offered at the hotel, as well as 24-hour Business Center and Technology Butler services.

Clients seeking distinctive entertainment venues outside the hotel can arrange for outside catering services in several of Shanghai's landmarks and the "Sheng Rong Guo Ji" Luxury Cruise Boat that is exclusively catered by The Portman Ritz-Carlton.

All meeting and event planners work with a dedicated conference services and catering manager who personally supervises the details of the event, including the decor, entertainment and transportation; ensuring functions run smoothly at every phase. A team of progressive, world-class chefs designs menus according to individual tastes and budgets, including creative themed coffee breaks.

If food is your priority then savor the selection of the many fine dining options available at The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai. From pasta to dim sum or teppanyaki, prepare your senses for an authentic culinary experience like no other.

Dining options include:

* The Bar

* The Lobby Lounge

* The Tea Garden

* Hanagatami

* Palladio

* Summer Pavilion

In need of relaxation? Then escape to a place of far-away tranquility at The Ritz Carlton Spa, where the relaxing aura of one of Shanghai's largest and most luxurious health clubs awaits. Amenities include steam bath, sauna, solarium, beauty salon & barber shop and a peaceful pool bar.

A bit of history

Prior to 1998, The Portman Shangri-La Hotel in Shanghai was a five-star property much like any other in the city. Employee and guest satisfaction ranged between 70 and 80 per cent, and finances were unspectacular. But after Mark DeCocinis and The Ritz-Carlton took over management of the hotel in early 1998, employee satisfaction soared, guests were much happier, and finances improved. In just a few years, then General Manager DeCocinis and The Ritz-Carlton lifted the hotel to a level all its own, using a proven business approach and sound human resource management practices.

The Portman Ritz-Carlton currently has more than 700 employees. For five consecutive years, its annual employee satisfaction rate has been the highest among all of the Ritz-Carlton's 63 hotels worldwide. And while the staff turnover rate for Asia's hotel industry is 29 per cent, the rate at The Portman Ritz-Carlton is a modest 15 to 16 per cent. Its guest satisfaction rate is between 92 and 95 per cent and its annual financial growth at 15 to 18 per cent year on year.

As a premium hotel whose utmost mission is to provide "genuine care and comfort to our guests," The Portman Ritz-Carlton pledges to "provide the finest personal service and facilities to our guests who will always enjoy a warm, relaxed yet refined ambience." And this objective can only be fulfilled by satisfied and engaged employees. Mark DeCocinis, Regional Vice President, Asia-Pacific of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, has stated:

The three goals of our organisation are financial results, customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction. These goals are not exclusive from each other. They are very closely interrelated. Without satisfied and engaged employees, there is no way we could ever achieve excellent financial results and guest satisfaction.

PORTMAN RITZ-CARLTON SHANGHAI

1376, Nanjing Xi Lu

Shanghai, 200040, China

Tel: +86 21 6279 8888

Fax: +86 21 6279 8800

www.ritzcarlton.com

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN AUSTRALIA

WINNER: Crown Towers Melbourne

Beautifully located on the southern bank of the Yarra River in Melbourne, Crown Towers sets the benchmark for luxury hotels in Australia. Lavishly appointed and offering an impeccable standard of customer service and attention to detail, Crown Towers is a hotel that truly understands the meaning of opulence.

All of Crown Towers' 482 luxuriously appointed oversized guest rooms have spectacular views to the city or Port Phillip Bay and feature a truly unique level of comfort and finish. Each room has the latest in room technology including a 42 inch plasma television.

Located just a short stroll from Melbourne's Central Business District and boasting flexible, purpose built meeting and conference facilities, Crown Towers enables you to conduct business in comfort and style. For those wanting to relax, hotel guests have access to the spectacular Crown Spa, the culinary delights of our superb signature restaurants and the amazing Crown Entertainment Complex with its cinemas, nightclubs, bars, shopping, indoor entertainment theme park and the 24 hour excitement of the world renowned Crown Casino.

Few hotels in the world can match this level of opulence and excitement. If you're seeking luxury in Melbourne, Crown Towers is the hotel for you.

Crown Towers recently won the Australian Tourism Awards for Luxury Accommodation--one of the highest honours in the Australian Tourism industry. Finalists were winners of the State and Territory Tourism Awards (Crown Towers won the Victorian Tourism Award for Luxury...