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2023 World Luxury Restaurant Awards Winners Announced

The World Luxury Awards celebrated its 17th year of awarding some of the top hotels, spas, restaurants and travel establishments on 28 October 2023. It was a night to remember. This luxurious affair was hosted by Grand Hyatt Athens in Greece and saw almost 300 establishments from around the world awarded for their dedication and commitment to the luxury hospitality and travel industries.

“We are very proud of all of our winners, and being able to celebrate with them on an occasion like this is very special. The ceremony was incredible. The interactive entertainment, The Greek Priestesses and The Famous Zorba, were highlights of the evening and were thoroughly enjoyed by all. We wish to congratulate all our winners, also to those who were not able to be with us. A special congratulations to our overall winners: the Global Hotel of the Year – Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the Global Spa of the Year – Spirit Hotel Thermal Spa, the Global Restaurant of the Year – Le Pavillon and the Global Travel Establishment of the Year – Australia Zoo.” says Jana Stoman, the Executive Manager for the World Luxury Awards.

A brilliant and tantalizing 6-course menu was prepared for all to enjoy throughout the night. We wish to recognize and give thanks to Alpha Wine Estate for providing the Greek wine pairing that complemented each course.

Prior to the Gala Ceremony, on Friday evening, the guests who opted in were treated to a spectacular walking tour of Athens by the Greek Gourmet Tours. After viewing multiple ancient and historical sites and a stunning walk around the Acropolis, the tour culminated in a sumptuous dinner at a delightful and modern, Greek tapas-style restaurant. One can truly say, dining in Greece can be an adventure on its own! Thank you to Anastasia and her team at Greek Gourmet Tours for providing this wonderful experience.

“Travelers today increasingly value experiences over possessions and are willing to invest in unique, authentic, and immersive travel experiences. It is with the unwavering commitment of dedicated staff that guests can enjoy this. We congratulate the 2023 winners, who have worked hard and tirelessly to be successful in a very competitive industry.” says Jana Stoman.

The after party on the Rooftop was blessed with a full moon, a blood moon in fact, rising overhead, and the Acropolis blazing in its glory in the distance. Many guests enjoyed socializing with new and old friends while the DJ enticed them onto the dance floor. It ended a momentous occasion, perfectly.

“The World Luxury Awards would like to recognize and thank France 24, our official partner sponsor for 12 years, for being with us tonight and remaining a part of our family in the hospitality industry.” says Brandon Lourens, Chief Executive Officer of the World Luxury Awards.

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Zahli is a must-visit Lebanese restaurant located in Sydney.

In a recent visit to Australia I spent a few days in Sydney where I had the pleasure of dining at Zahli and was thoroughly impressed with the experience.

I was dining alone, and Mohammad, the owner, personally hosted the evening for me, he was incredibly welcoming, making me feel right at home from the moment I arrived.

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the food. I am not familiar with Middle-Eastern cuisine, so this was all a very new experience for me. I was served an abundance of dishes, a banquet, all of which were beautifully presented and bursting with color.The flavors were robust and authentic, providing a true taste of Lebanese cuisine. I surprised myself by even trying the raw meat dish “Kibbeh Nayye” made from fresh lamb, mixed with crushed wheat and various seasonings, it was rather more-ish.

I must admit that in the end it felt like Mohammad was trying to feed me to death with the sheer number of dishes, but this is just a testament to his enthusiasm and passion for bringing ancient Middle-Eastern recipes to life, with a modern twist, there was so much, I just wish I had space for more.

In terms of drinks, I typically prefer beer over wine, and I was pleasantly surprised by the Lebanese beer on offer at Zahli. It was light, refreshing, and the perfect accompaniment to the flavorful dishes.

Overall, I would highly recommend Zahli to anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience in Sydney. The food is outstanding, the service is top-notch, and the atmosphere is warm and inviting.

Thank you, Mohammad and the team at Zahli, for a memorable evening.

Reviewed by World Luxury Awards representative, Angelo Henry.

For more information visit Zahli’s website: www.zahlirestaurant.com

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2022 World Luxury Restaurant Awards Winners Announced

The winners of the annual World Luxury Awards were announced on 22 October 2022 at a glitzy affair at Swandor Topkapi Palace, Antalya, Turkey. This was the sixteenth event of its kind and more than 300 guests flew in from around the world to celebrate their awards.

The World Luxury Awards recognize Hotels, Spas, Restaurants and Travel establishments for world-class service excellence. Awards are presented on a country, regional, continent and global basis. Winners are selected by public vote online, providing true recognition that reflects the hard work and dedication exhibited by staff.

“The most coveted awards are the overall winners,” says Jana Stoman, Executive Manager of the World Luxury Awards, “many factors play a part in determining the winner; brand, design, unique facilities and overall guest satisfaction as fed back via online reviews as well as what reflects in the votes received during the annual three week voting period. This year the focus was on outstanding environment, elegant design and international service excellence.

The Global Restaurant of the Year Award went to M.B at The Ritz-Carlton Abama in Spain. All winners are highly deserving of these prestigious awards, epitomizing as they do the ethos of luxury and fine service.

Master of Ceremonies Nelly White skillfully guided proceedings and entertained guests, who also enjoyed a taste of quintessential Turkish hospitality. The menu was inspired by Turkeys unique cuisine; the gala experience included locally produced dishes and guests also had the privilege of enjoying true Turkish entertainment throughout the evening.

Fire of Anatolia, a synthesis of hundreds of folkdance figures and music from different regions who introduce the world to the fire that arises from the ancient mosaic of love, cultural history and peace in Anatolia, allowed guests to experience diverse elements of Turkish culture. The Xone provided the ideal setting for the after party to end the evening, resulting in an experience of a lifetime which ended as Kubbe Disco.

“We congratulate this year’s winners. True luxury is not easily attained. It takes highly efficient and dedicated staff who are willing to go the extra mile and stop at nothing to ensure that every guest feels cared for and no challenge goes unresolved. This is the definition of luxury. It is what makes the winners shine.” says World Luxury Awards Marketing Director, Michael Hunter-Smith.

Special thanks went to France24 for their continued support of the awards over the years, Turkish Airlines, Agoda and 7/24 Transfers who assisted guests in arriving safely at the event destination.

It was an honour and a privilege to have every establishment present, and the World Luxury Awards looks forward to another successful year in 2023.