Jumeirah Essex House Scores a Trio of LGBT Media Honors

(NEW YORK, MARCH, 2011) - Jumeirah Essex House, the iconic luxury hotel with an exclusive Central Park address, announced three honors it recently garnered among prestigious LGBT media outlets. The hotel was named a "Top Pick" by OUT on its travel website, OutTraveler.com as well as in OUT's mobile app.

The Essex House was also nominated for "Favorite Luxury Hotel" by the editors of Edge Publications. St. Regis Deer Valley in Park City, Epic Hotel in Miami and Hotel Kura Huland in Cura�ao were among hotels that shared that honor.

Finally, Philadelphia Gay News named Jumeirah Essex House the "Most Romantic Hotel" in New York.

"Jumeirah Essex House is thrilled to be acknowledged by these three prestigious media outlets," said Gary Schweikert, General Manager of the Essex House & Jumeirah's Regional Vice President for the Americas. "It's an honor to receive this recognition. We pride ourselves on the great diversity of our staff, and we work hard to graciously welcome all of our guests from all walks of life all around the globe."

The luxurious Essex House has long been quietly popular with LGBT visitors to New York. The hotel's appeal lies in its superb location across from Central Park, near Fifth Avenue shopping, Broadway theaters, and gay-popular Hell's Kitchen restaurants and nightclubs. The hotel's recent $90 million renovation - including newly designed rooms, the plush Art Deco lobby, South Gate, the contemporary fine-dining restaurant, and a topnotch spa - have served to meet the expectations of discriminating gay travelers.

"For travelers looking for a pet-friendly, gay-friendly, lesbian-friendly luxury hotel experience in New York City, look no further than the Essex House," said Jeff Guaracino, author and nationally syndicated columnist for the Philadelphia Gay News. "This could be the most romantic hotel in New York City with the hotel's storybook history, Central Park views, and a staff that treats everyone like a celebrity."

The 509-room Jumeirah Essex House celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2007 and recently completed a major $90 million soft goods refurbishment project, which includes South Gate, a spectacular new Tony Chi-designed restaurant, featuring renowned Executive Chef Kerry Heffernan.

This historic New York City hotel, with a coveted Central Park address, is ideally located in the heart of Manhattan. Jumeirah Essex House is part of the Dubai-based luxury international hospitality group Jumeirah and sister to the world's most luxurious hotel, Burj Al Arab. Features of the hotel include breathtaking views and unrivalled conference and banqueting facilities.

The Jumeirah Essex House received top reviews for Michelin Guide and Zagat Survey in 2010 and voted "North America's Leading Hotel," and "North America's Leading Business Hotel," at the 2009 World Travel Awards. The hotel also received both the Michelin Guide's 2008 "Five Pavilions Award," and the 2008 AAA "Four-Diamond Award." In the same year, Global Traveler named Jumeirah Essex House "Best Hotel in the Eastern United States." The hotel garnered three awards at the 2007 Annual World Travel Awards in New York including "North America's Leading Hotel," "North America's Leading Business Hotel" and "New York's Leading Business Hotel" voted by travel agents worldwide and was ranked second in the "Best Hotel in the U.S." category in Global Traveler Magazine's 2006 GT Tested Awards.

For links to the trio of recent LGBT media accolades: