(openPR) - ZURICH, July 2009 – Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts joins the ranks of Expedia® Insiders’ Select™ 2009 with six properties having been selected by Expedia® customers and industry experts to join this celebrated list of favourite hotels around the world.

For Expedia Insiders’ Select™ 2009, the Swiss hospitality pioneer is represented by Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy, Moscow, Swissôtel Talinn, Estonia and Swissôtel Bremen, Germany in Europe whilst Swissôtel Merchant Court, Singapore, Swissôtel Sydney, Australia and Swissôtel Nankai, Osaka fly the flag for Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts in Asia Pacific. Swissôtel currently manages 28 hotels & resorts globally, with 15 properties in Europe and 10 in Asia Pacific.

These six properties join an elite company of 850 hotels & resorts worldwide. This figure represents less than 1% of all the 99,000 properties reviewed on Expedia.com, which is home to more traveller reviews than any other online travel portal. Swissôtel Nankai, Osaka is only one of two hotels in Osaka to have made it to the list and Swissôtel Bremen, Germany makes this exclusive list only having just opened a year ago in July 2008.

The Expedia® Insiders’ Select™ 2009 was first introduced in 2007 by Expedia® to recognise the very best hotels which have been identified as consistently delivering superior service, an exceptional guest experience and notable value. These outstanding service qualities and extraordinary value are measured based on three key criteria: Travellers Opinions, Destination Expertise of Expedia®’s 400 front-line Market Managers and the evaluation on the best value for money.

To compile this highly illustrious list, Expedia® reviewed over 99,000 hotels and resorts. Each property was assigned a numerical score that was completely independent of advertisers and partners and only those with the highest scores made it onto the Insiders’ Select List.

“Expedia® Insiders’ Select™ 2009 is especially significant to us as we have always prided ourselves in delivering outstanding quality and service as well as exceptional value for money. Guests these days rely tremendously on shared experiences on travel portals and we are delighted that our ‘Passion for Perfection’ Swiss hospitality is reaping complimentary reviews”, says Ms Petra Goetting, VP, Marketing & Sales, Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts.

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 personalised 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 Dresden, Germany (2011)

Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts
Balz-Zimmermann-Str.7
8302 Kloten, Zurich
Switzerland

Eva-Maria Panzer
Director Communication
evamaria.panzer@swissotel.com