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Home For further information, please contact: Photos can be downloaded from The George website, here.
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PROFILE: THE GEORGE, Christchurch The George is the essence of supreme comfort. Its 55 spacious rooms are designed with a stylish eye for detail, complete with luxury amenities. And, with a one-to-one ratio of staff to guests, impeccable service is guaranteed. Recognised in 2005 as one of only two Best Hotels in New Zealand in Travel + Leisure magazine, and as one of Travel + Leisure’s 2004 Best Hotels for Service in the World, The George offers discerning travellers superb comfort and individual attention in an intimate ambience. Whether visiting for a meal, Located exclusively on Hagley Park and the river Avon, The George is just steps fromChristchurch’s city centre and cultural precinct including the historic Tram, Canterbury Museum, Arts Centre and the modern Christchurch Art Gallery. Enter the luxurious world of fine dining in Christchurch’s most elegant hotel, The George. Here a team of 15 chefs led by 2005 South Island Chef of the Year, Nathan Bates entice with their skilfully prepared innovative Pacific Rim cuisine at two award-winning restaurants, 50 on Park Restaurant and Bar for 50 ON PARK RESTAURANT AND BAR Spring and summer bring delicate food with refreshing vinaigrettes and aromatic herbs to refresh the palette, while autumn and winter’s warming dishes are served with richer jus and sauces to satisfy stronger appetites. Freshest ingredients from New Zealand’s top producers are delivered daily, with chefs choosing only the best. 50 on Park Restaurant and Bar combines contemporary style, a relaxing ambience and exquisitely simple cuisine. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the atmosphere and food all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, coffee or a drink from the superb bar and wine list. PESCATORE The George’s award-winning chefs have earned Pescatore its longstanding reputation as one of New Zealand’s definitive contemporary dining experiences. For special occasions it is Christchurch’s ultimate choice. Here, the best of local seafood and other superb produce is transformed into divine creations and matched with top wines fromits award-winning wine list. Pescatore has been honoured by Wine Spectator magazine for one of the most outstanding restaurant wine lists in the world. The tempting degustation menu leads diners through a culinary tour of four, five or six small courses, matched with the finest wines. Pescatore’s sleek, sophisticated interiors, overlooking Hagley Park, create the perfect setting for a most memorable evening. And, for the very best in intimate dining, Pescatore’s adjoining private room is an ideal choice for an exceptional personalised dining experience. The George also offers a large private room in its beautifully restored traditional residence, The Residence. This gracious home and its large private garden, connected to the central hotel building, provide inspiration for special occasion entertaining. MEETINGS, INCENTIVES, CONFERENCES AND EVENTS New wall and floor treatments, and new soft furnishings give the hotel an even more contemporary look, and further enhance spaciousness and views. Superb catering is a hallmark of The George. Nathan Bates and his team of 15 chefs, renowned for their work in Pescatore and 50 on Park, create individual menus for conference and meeting guests to the same award- winning levels. The George's central Christchurch position, with magnificent views of Hagley Park and the Avon river make it ideal for stylish meetings. As well, there are opportunities for team-building and outdoor pursuits in the park all year round, with tennis and petanque on The George’s private lawns and tennis courts. A large private library and boardoom are available in The George’s beautifully restored traditional residence, The Residence. This gracious home has its own expansive garden and is connected internally to the central hotel building. Another bonus at The George is abundant free car parking directly outside, allowing easy access for all guests. The George is a short walk from Christchurch’s city centre and cultural precinct including the historic tram loop, Canterbury Museum, the Arts Centre and the modern Christchurch Art Gallery. News Release The George named top New Zealand hotel by Conde Nast Multi-award-winning hotel The George, Christchurch has been named best New Zealand hotel in the prestigious 2007 US Conde Nast Traveler Gold List, just released. In the Conde Nast Reader's Choice Awards 2006 it was also voted top hotel in New Zealand and Best for Service in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Almost 21,000 Condé Nast Traveler subscribers completed the 2006 Readers’ Choice Survey published in November issue. The George scored 95.7% for service and its overall score was 90.9%, putting Christchurch’s Qualmark-rated five star hotel ahead of all other New Zealand properties. Magazine readers also voted Christchurch the fourth most popular city in Australasia after Sydney, Melbourne, and Queenstown. The magazine said of The George: “A welcome drink is delivered to your room at this 20-year-old hotel across from Hagley Park. Contemporary rooms are nicely decorated and have a view of the park; turndown service includes a George Bear for guests with children. Pescatore's menu dégustation is a real highlight, pairing four to six small courses with wine. Staff ensure your stay is enjoyable." Bruce Garrett, General Manager of The George said the Conde Nast Gold List accolades are a reflection of The George’s ongoing commitment to superb service and attention to detail, as well as its excellent cuisine and parkside city location in Christchurch, gateway to the South Island. “The George has always been renowned for its high levels of service, with a one-to-one ratio of staff to guests.” For more information about The George and images of the hotel, go to www.thegeorge.com. BACKGROUND INFORMATION In 2005 and 2006 a multi-million dollar redesign programme included new interiors for The George’s entrance foyer, lobby, and 50 on Park restaurant and bar, featuring outstanding works of art from New Zealand’s leading contemporary artists. Business and conference facilities were also been completely redesigned and fitted with state of art technology. The hotel’s guest rooms are being revamped to feature the latest world trends in guest room and bathroom layout and interior design, as well as modern in-room technology. All guest rooms are equipped with 32” LCD flat screen televisions offering the latest digital movie system. Broadband and wireless internet access is available in all guest rooms and throughout the entire hotel. The George has received eight other significant international awards in recent years. Last year it gained a World Travel Award for best New Zealand hotel. In 2005 it was voted one of only two best New Zealand hotels in U.S. Travel + Leisure magazine’s top 25 hotels in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific survey. Travel + Leisure named The George one of the 500 Best Hotels in the World for both 2003 and 2004, and one of the world’s top 80 hotels and top 10 in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific 2004 for service. The magazine’s readers also awarded The George, Best Hotel in New Zealand 2002. In 2002 and 2005 Business Asia magazine readers voted The George Best Business Hotel in Asia (New Zealand section). Chefs at The George have achieved outstanding success, and the hotel’s extensive wine lists are world-acclaimed. Executive Sous Chef, Guy Stanaway is the current South Island Chef of the Year. Executive Chef, Nathan Bates was 2005 South Island Chef of the Year and his team of 15 chefs win numerous awards every year at Salon Culinaire competitions. The hotel’s signature restaurant Pescatore has had a decade-long reputation as one of New Zealand’s finest contemporary dining rooms, with past executive chefs including Rick Rutledge-Manning and Hamish Brown. Pescatore’s chefs also work in the hotel’s innovative all-day dining restaurant 50 on Park, and provide the same level of expertise for function catering, private dining and room service in the hotel. Further information about Conde Nast Traveler and the Gold List 2007 is available at www.concierge.com. - ends - For further information, please contact: Photos can be downloaded from The George website here. News Release The George, Christchurch wins Leading Boutique Hotel award The George, Christchurch’s five-star luxury boutique hotel, has won New Zealand’s Leading Boutique Hotel in the 13th annual World Travel Awards. The World Travel Awards are an annual event supported by travel agents worldwide and televised by both BBC World and CNN. This year 167,000 international travel professionals were asked to vote in the awards process. Set beside Hagley Park in central Christchurch, The George has a decade-long reputation for chic style and high levels of service, as well as award-winning cuisine. General Manager, Bruce Garrett said this award is further recognition of The George’s ongoing commitment to creating a world-class experience for visitors. “Our team is exceptional and, with more staff than guests, we ensure discreet attention to every detail,” he said. The George has received eight significant international awards in recent years. Last year it was voted one of only two best New Zealand hotels in U.S. Travel + Leisure magazine’s top 25 hotels in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific survey. It is the only hotel in Christchurch, and one of only three in the South Island, to gain five stars through New Zealand’s Qualmark rating system. Qualmark assessors highlighted The George’s top service and excellent restaurants as key strengths of the 55-room hotel. “The property exudes a relaxed yet luxurious ambience with staff on hand to meet guests’ every need,” the March 2006 Qualmark report said. In 2005 The George began a multi-million dollar redesign programme, with new interiors for its entrance foyer, lobby, and 50 on Park restaurant and bar. Business and conference facilities were also completely redesigned and fitted with state of art technology. All guest rooms in The George have been equipped with 32” LCD flat screen televisions offering the latest digital movie system. Broadband and wireless internet access is available in all guest rooms and throughout the entire hotel. Chefs at The George’s two restaurants, Pescatore and 50 on Park have achieved outstanding success, and the hotel’s extensive wine lists are world-acclaimed. Executive Sous Chef, Guy Stanaway is 2006 South Island Chef of the Year and Executive Chef, Nathan Bates was 2005 South Island Chef of the Year. The George is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. It first opened in 1978, and employs 110 staff, 55 full-time and 55 part-time. For more information about The George go to: www.thegeorge.com
News Release The George’s Guy Stanaway wins South Island Chef of the Year Guy Stanaway from The George, Christchurch has been named South Island Chef of The Year 2006 at this week’s Salon Culinaire competition in Christchurch. He follows a winning tradition for The George, with Executive Chef Nathan Bates awarded the same title in 2005, and Hamish Watson in 2003. Guy, 22, recently returned to The George after a year-long pilgrimage of eating and cooking throughout Europe. During his previous four years at The George he achieved several major competition golds while working with Executive Chefs Hamish Brown and Nathan Bates. In 2004 Guy won Salon Culinaire Commis Chef of the Year award, as well as Canterbury Best Young Chef of The Year 2004, and was a member of the New Zealand Culinary Team at competitions in Perth. In 2003, as a CPIT representative, he won team and individual gold medals as best young chef at the national Toque d’Or competitions. Guy believes his training backed by The George’s tradition of excellence stood him in good stead for winning at Salon Culinaire. “The competition demands dedication, passion and discipline – all the skills we use every day in The George kitchens. We work to that exacting level for every dish we create. “The George’s food is always extremely creative and we use top quality produce, focusing on the customer and creating a wonderful dining experience for them,” he said. This winter The George has sent 2005 South Island Chef of the Year Nathan Bates to the UK for four months, to cook with the world’s best at The Fat Duck, in Berkshire and the Savoy Grill, London. Along with a small, elite group of international chefs, Nathan was invited to join The Fat Duck team to experience the inner workings of this dynamic three-star Michelin establishment, recently voted World’s Best Restaurant in 2005. He is now moving to the prestigious Savoy Grill, London for three months under the tutelage of head chef, New Zealander Josh Emmet and consultant chef Gordon Ramsay. The George has a strong tradition of winners at Salon Culinaire. In both 2004 and 2005 The George chefs, waiting, wine and housekeeping staff won the most medals of any teams. Guy Stanaway, Melanie Ellis and Glenn Wright won Commis Chef of the Year titles in 2004, 2003 and 2002 respectively, and Pescatore was named Restaurant of the Year in 2001. In 1998 then Executive Chef Hamish Brown won the Canterbury Chef of the Year, as well as the Chef of the Nation in the same year. For more information about The George and its two restaurants, Pescatore and 50 on Park go to: www.thegeorge.com. News Release The George hotel gains Christchurch’s first five-star Qualmark rating The George, Christchurch has been recognised as one of New Zealand’s exceptional hotels with a five-star rating from Qualmark, New Zealand tourism’s official quality mark. It is the only hotel in Christchurch, and one of only two in the South Island, to gain five stars through the Qualmark rating system. Qualmark assessors highlighted The George’s high level of service, and excellent restaurants as key strengths of the 55-room hotel on Park Terrace, opposite Hagley Park in central Christchurch. “The property exudes a relaxed yet luxurious ambience with staff on hand to meet guests’ every need,” the Qualmark report said. Christchurch & Canterbury Marketing Chief Executive, Ian Bougen said The George had a long-standing reputation for quality of product and service. “It is excellent to see this has been recognised with the five-star Qualmark rating,” he said. In 2005 The George began a multi-million dollar redesign programme, with new interiors for its entrance foyer, lobby, and 50 on Park restaurant and bar. Business and conference facilities were also completely redesigned and fitted with state of art technology. Phase one of a complete structural revamp of guest rooms, encompassing latest international hotel design trends, is now underway. The first floor of rooms will be completed in August, designed by leading Christchurch architects Warren & Mahoney. They incorporate newest world trends in guest room and bathroom layout and interior design, as well as modern in-room technology. All guest rooms in The George are being equipped with 32” LCD flat screen televisions offering the latest digital movie system. Broadband and wireless internet access is available in all guest rooms and throughout the entire hotel. General Manager, Bruce Garrett said The George had always been renowned for its high levels of service, with a one-to-one ratio of staff to guests. “The Qualmark five-star rating is a reflection of The George’s ongoing commitment to superb service and attention to detail, as well as our style, cuisine and parkside city location in Christchurch,” he said. - ends - BACKGROUND INFORMATION The George has received seven significant international awards in recent years. Last year it was voted one of only two best New Zealand hotels in U.S. Travel + Leisure magazine’s top 25 hotels in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific survey. Travel + Leisure named The George one of the 500 Best Hotels in the World for both 2003 and 2004, and one of the world’s top 80 hotels and top 10 in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific 2004 for service. The magazine’s readers also awarded The George, Best Hotel in New Zealand 2002. In 2002 and 2005 Business Asia magazine readers voted The George Best Business Hotel in Asia (New Zealand section). Chefs at The George have achieved outstanding success, and the hotel’s extensive wine lists are world-acclaimed. Executive Chef, Nathan Bates is 2005 South Island Chef of the Year and his team of 15 chefs win numerous awards every year at Salon Culinaire competitions. The hotel’s signature restaurant Pescatore has had a decade-long reputation as one of New Zealand’s finest contemporary dining rooms, with past executive chefs including Rick Rutledge-Manning and Hamish Brown. Pescatore’s chefs also work in the hotel’s innovative all-day dining restaurant 50 on Park, and provide the same level of expertise for function catering, private dining and room service in the hotel. Qualmark is a joint venture of Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Automobile Association and is backed by the New Zealand Tourism Industry Association and other leading industry organisations. www.qualmark.co.nz News Release To start the year in style, Luxury Travel Magazine online (USA) has just recognised The George with a Luxury Travel Award, as one of Australia and New Zealand's top 10 boutique city hotels. A Luxury Travel Award, www.luxurytravelawards.com from US-based Luxury Travel Magazine online, www.luxurytravelmagazine.com recognises only the world’s ultimate hotels, resorts, spas and villas, providing outstanding experiences to discerning travellers with one-of-a-kind locations, facilities, The George was chosen for a Luxury Travel Award based on many criteria including subscriber feedback, incognito visits, media and guest reviews, hotel website presentation, and photos. To add to the accolades, The George has also received the 2006 New Zealand Beef and Lamb Hallmark of Excellence for the quality of its main course beef and lamb dishes in its two restaurants, 50 on Park and Pescatore.
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