Fontana Park Hotel was distinguished with the Best Interior Design – Rooms and Bathrooms award, at the European Hotel Design Awards 2008 ceremony, which took place on November 6 in London.
Fontana Park Hotel was the only Portuguese hotel at the 11th. edition of the famous European Design hotels awards and the only one nominated for four categories - Best Interior Design for Rooms and bathrooms, Best Design for Restaurant, Best Design for Bar and Lounge and Best Graphic Design.
In the first phase of the competition, the jury chose 54 nominees from hundreds of candidates. By mid-September, the winners were chosen to be presented on Nov. 6, at the official ceremony in London.
These awards recognize the work of architects, designers and investors in 15 different categories, from architecture to environmental sustainability.
The 12 members of the jury included respected names in architecture and design, hotel owners and tour operators as well as journalists, editors and critics specialized in Design hotels, including Claus Sendlinger, CEO of Design Hotels ™ Association, and Guy Dittrich, freelance journalist and hotels, travel and design critic, collaborator for publications such as Wallpaper and Condé Nast Traveler, among others.
The jury had as main criterion to evaluate the projects that demonstrated the best use of their budget in order to contribute positively to the guests’ experience during their stay at the hotel.
Due to the very strict requirements imposed to the candidate applications and to the jury’s high standards, the European Hotel Design Awards 2008 are an international reference and give a decisive contribute to promote the name of any hotel. Thus, by winning this award, Fontana Park Hotel helped to raise the Portuguese standards of hospitality to best practice in Europe.