In New York Magazine's 2005 Hotel Experience Awards

Leaders of New York City's hospitality and business community gathered on Monday night, February 13, 2006, to celebrate IN New York Magazine's 2005 Hotel Experience Awards (HEA). The gala applauded the 13 winners, as selected by hotel visitors, and celebrated in grand style at the New York Marriott Marquis's Broadway Ballroom. In recognition of his long years of service to the City of New York - and, in particular, to the hospitality industry - Joseph E. Spinnato, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc., and newly named Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jacobs Javits Convention Center, was also honored with the first-ever IN New York Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award.

Held in cooperation with the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc., the exclusive black-tie event allows the hotel industry's most critical and crucial audience-their guests-to identify those who excel. Hotel guests vote for the Best Hotels via ballots inserted in IN New York Magazine and on the magazine's website, www.in-newyorkmag.com. IN New York Magazine President/Publisher Merrie Davis told the hoteliers in the room, "Tonight is all about you, and what the visitor to New York thinks of you and your hotels."

Hospitality industry and business leaders presented each of the 13 winners with a custom Lalique crystal and glass award, designed by Robert DuGrenier Associates. Each award category has a separate award for the Best Hotel with more than 500 rooms, and with 500 rooms or less. The winners were:

Hotels of 500 rooms or more:
- Best Concierge Service - Ritz Carlton New York, Central Park
- Best Room Amenities - The Jumeirah Essex House
- Best Hotel Restaurant - New York Marriott Marquis
- Best Family-Friendly Hotel - Hilton New York
- Best Business Services - Waldorf-Astoria
- Best Overall Hotel Experience - W New York

Hotels with less than 500 rooms:
- Best Concierge Service - The Renaissance New York Hotel Times Square
- Best Room Amenities - The Four Seasons Hotel New York
- Best Hotel Restaurant - Hilton Times Square
- Best Family-Friendly Hotel - Omni Berkshire Place
- TIE: Best Business Services - The Michaelangelo
- TIE: Best Business Services - The Vincci Avalon
- Best Overall Hotel Experience - The St. Regis

Tourism industry leaders presenting awards included Joe Spinnato, Hotel Association of New York City President; Tim Tompkins, Times Square Alliance President; Tom Lewis, Gray Line New York Sightseeing President; Howard McCoy, Director of Group and Leisure Sales for Circle Line Harbor Cruises; Steve Kay, Sales Consultant from CitySights; Tony Alvarado, General Manager of SuperShuttle, New York; and Jody Merl, Innovative Travel Marketing President.

Award presenters from the business community included Linda Collins, General Manager of Build-a-Bear Workshop's Fifth Avenue flagship store; Raffaele Ruggeri, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Bice Group; Trisha McMahon, Editor-in-Chief of IN New York, representing the NBA Store of New York; and Drew Davis of IN New York, representing Salute! Restaurant and Bar.

Nearly 500 guests, comprising a "who's who" of the metro New York hospitality industry, enjoyed a cocktail reception followed by a seated dinner, an industry-tribute parody song sung by Ms. Davis, special entertainment from the stars of the soon-to-open Broadway musical, "Lestat," and the dance music of Lord and Weber. The evening also featured a Silent Auction of over 100 items donated to benefit the Les Clef d'Or Foundation, the New York City Association of Hotel Concierges' Charitable Fund, the Hotel Association of New York City Scholarship Fund, and the ITM Hospitality Fund.

2005 Hotel Experience Awards sponsors included the New York Marriott Marquis, Gray Line New York Sights