Inn and Spa at Loretto Represents New Mexico Among Conde Nast Traveler's 2012 Gold List Elite

Online, January 6, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Hotels are more than just a place to sleep, they are the first impression the starting point and typically the only pre-set element that continues to shape a guest's travel experience. While many awards competitions recognize hotels for their facilities, Conde Nast Traveler 2012 Gold List voters also deem subjective attributes like design, food and activities equally important. A first time entrant, the Inn and Spa at Loretto was the only hotel in New Mexico to accomplish the distinguished feat of offering the facilities, character and ambiance to make a visit to the Land of Enchantment truly enchanting.

Nearly eight million votes were cast and in the end only 511 hotels, resorts and cruise lines earned the right to be ranked as the top places to stay around the world. Criteria for each varied slightly, but candidates were rated on five key components, including 1) rooms, 2) service, 3) food, 4) location, 5) design, and 6) activities. The Gold List is based on data collected from the annual Readers' Choice Survey and to qualify for inclusion in the Gold List rankings, a property had to receive a required minimum number of responses.

"Guests choose hotels for a myriad of reasons, but it is up to the hotel to cultivate new and more personal reasons to influence a guest's future decision," said Stefan Huber, general manager at the Inn and Spa at Loretto. "We are grateful to all Conde Nast readers that nominated us for this prestigious award. It lets us know that our collective efforts are appreciated and valued."

With an overall rating of 91.4, the AAA Four Diamond Inn and Spa at Loretto made an impressionable first appearance on the Gold List and singlehandedly represented New Mexico against all other travel destinations. This first-of-the-year achievement concludes a streak of favorable 2011 rankings for the Inn, including placing no. 27 in the 'United States Hotel' category and no. 25 in the 'Top Hotel Spas in North America' category in Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice survey.

"People from around the world travel to Santa Fe to immerse themselves in the region's southwestern charm, culture and history," said Huber. "This pursuit should not end at your hotel's doorstep. The Inn's award-winning amenities, rich history, and conscious effort to interweave the region's spirit across all facets of the hotel, ensure guests have both the facilities and experiences to fully realize their travel aspirations."

To view the complete Gold List, please visit Conde Nast Traveler. For more information about the Inn, please visit www.innatloretto.com or call 877-857-5685.

About the Inn and Spa at Loretto
The Inn and Spa at Loretto, an award-winning, AAA Four Diamond hotel, is ideally located in the heart of Santa Fe, steps from the Canyon Road galleries and just one block from historic Santa Fe Plaza's galleries, museums, restaurants and boutiques. Eloquently blending old-world charm with world-class splendor, the exquisite Inn and Spa at Loretto reflects the culture and sophistication of its historic Santa Fe location. The hotel features 134 guestrooms, a full-service spa, casual fine dining, three art galleries and a tranquil garden. Enjoy Luminaria Restaurant and Patio for three meals daily; The Living Room for happy hour, late night dining and live music and The Spa at Loretto for a holistic and complete indulgence experience.

About Destination Hotels & Resorts
Destination Hotels & Resorts is a privately held hospitality management company headquartered in Colorado. With more than 35 independent, luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and golf clubs, Destination is the third largest hospitality management company in the country. The company's portfolio features more than 8,450 guest rooms, 15 golf courses and 16 full-service spas. Destination Hotels & Resorts properties are located in key metropolitan and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Seattle, Denver, San Diego, Santa Fe, Aspen, Austin, Phoenix, Portland, Palm Springs, Palos Verdes, Maui and Lake Tahoe. The company is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises. For a complete list of properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com.

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