(openPR) - OSAKA, October 2009 – Barely two years since its opening in January last year, Swissôtel Nankai Osaka’s Sh'un Kushiage and Wine has made it to the Wine Spectator's Restaurant Wine List Awards for two consecutive years. In 2008, its first year of operations, Sh’un received the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence and in 2009, it raises the bar by clinching the Best of Award of Excellence – an even more prestigious award given to a select 816 restaurants around the world.

These annual awards by Wine Spectator, one of the world’s leading wine appreciation publications, recognise the best restaurants across the globe for their commitment to offering an outstanding selection of wine that complements the cuisine and appeals to a wide range of wine lovers.

The Best of Award of Excellence is the second-tier award, given to restaurants that clearly exceed the requirements of the Award of Excellence. To qualify for this level, a restaurant’s wine list must offer a selection of 400 or more wines, along with excellent presentation, and display either vintage depth with vertical offerings of several top producers from major regions or excellent breadth across wine regions. Sh’un is only one of five restaurants in Japan to have received the Best of Award of Excellence accolade.

“I am delighted to see such “Passion for Perfection” which is in line with our corporate credo, in which our employees embrace excellence with passion,” commented Christian Schaufelbuehl, General Manager for Swissôtel Nankai Osaka.

Martin Tang, Director of Food & Beverage, Swissôtel Nankai Osaka adds, “We are very proud to have been awarded for the second year running and even prouder for achieving a higher level of excellence. At Sh’un, we provide a platform for all guests to get the best experience from their meal. We have taken great effort with our wine list and are delighted that our efforts have been recognised. Wine knowledge and expertise are not confined to just sommeliers and wine connoisseurs but shared with diners through recommendations of wine and food pairings.”

Martin continues, “We make it a point to offer reasonably priced premium wines by the glass in order to give our guests the opportunity to sample some of the boutique wines that are not easily available in the market.”

Opened in January 2008, Sh'un Kushiage and Wine is an upscale Kushiage restaurant with an extensive wine list of over 500 types of wines, ranging from popular wines to rarer vintages that have been carefully selected by the restaurant’s sommelier. At Sh’un, Kushiage, traditional Osaka cuisine is taken to new heights where the finest ingredients are prepared in innovative ways, and flavours and textures are combined for the ultimate sensory experience, unique only to Sh’un.

About Swissôtel Nankai Osaka
Conveniently located in the heart of Osaka just above Namba railway station, Swissôtel Nankai Osaka is directly connected to Kansai International Airport by train and only steps away from the city's business, cultural and entertainment districts.

Swissôtel Nankai Osaka offers 548 exquisitely furnished guestrooms including 13 suites. Amrita Spa tempts with a full selection of massage and spa treatments while a fully equipped gym and in-door lap pool provide ample workout choices. To meet a full spectrum of conference and banquet needs, Swissôtel Nankai Osaka has a multitude of function rooms that can cater for a capacity of 10 to 1400 people.

For gastronomic pleasures, guests can choose from nine restaurants and bars - Tavola36 Italian Restaurant and Sky Bar, La Tour French Restaurant, Empress Room Chinese Restaurant, Minami Teppanyaki Restaurant, Hana-Goyomi Japanese Restaurant, Sh'un Kushiage and Wine, Café Swiss for all day dining, The Lounge for afternoon tea and evening cocktails and Mela Cafe for light meals and freshly baked pastries, breads and cakes.

For further information, please visit www.swissotel.com/osaka.

About Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts
(www.swissotel.com) Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts is a distinctive group of deluxe hotels for today’s discerning business and leisure travellers, combining the renowned Swiss touch with a fresh, contemporary and modern design. Each Swissôtel hotel offers personalized service with charm and efficiency. Located in main gateway destinations and city centres, the hotels have convenient access to business and shopping districts, and local attractions. Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts worldwide have won prestigious awards and accolades.

Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts is owned by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, a leading global hotel company with 91 hotels and resorts worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The company also manages Fairmont and Raffles branded Residences, Estates and luxury private residence club properties.

Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts under development:
Swissôtel Kolkata, India (2010),
Swissôtel Dresden, Germany (2011).

For more information, please contact:
Carolyn Tay
Director Media Relations, Asia Pacific
Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts
2 Stamford Road #05-01
Raffles City Convention Centre
Singapore 178882
Tel: +65 6431 6957
Email: carolyn.tay@swissotel.com