Double awards win for the Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh at World Travel Market 2012

The palatial 493-room hotel, set in 52 acres of landscaped gardens in the heart of the Saudi capital, walked away with the regional title in two eagerly contested categories - 'Best New Hotel Construction & Design Saudi Arabia' and 'Best Convention Hotel Saudi Arabia'.

Recognising excellence in the global hospitality sector, the inaugural International Hotel Awards were launched to acknowledge and reward hotel design, performance and reputation on five continents, and seek out the best properties in each participating country.

Accepting the awards at a gala dinner ceremony, hotel General Manager, Jean-François Laurent, said: "In just 12 months of operation, The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh has established itself as a flagship hotel both for the brand and for the region.

"The fact that we have been acknowledged in not one, but two important categories, is a fantastic way to celebrate our first anniversary. I would like to dedicate the awards to all our ladies and gentlemen, in recognition of their continued excellence and dedication in ensuring that we remain the Kingdom's premier gateway to luxury hospitality."

A new initiative by the organisation behind the annual International Property Awards, the International Hotel Awards encompass 13 categories covering excellence in design, operations, marketing and sustainability, with regional winners chosen from Arabia to Asia Pacific.

The 24-person judging panel, led by Chairman Sir David Michels, President of the Hilton foundation, cited the hotel's green credentials, architectural merit and uniquely opulent design interpretation of a Middle Eastern palace as the success factors in naming The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh regional winner in the design and convention hotel categories.