Leah Marshall, centre, picks up the award from WTA senior vice president Chris Frost

Hotel Le Bristol, Paris, has received the much coveted title of Europe’s Leading Hotel at the World Travel Awards.

Manager Leah Marshall was on hand to collect the trophy at a Gala Ceremony in the Algarve earlier, with the property also claiming the title of France’s Leading Hotel.

A leading global tourism event for 19 years now, the World Travel Awards pay tribute to excellence in all sectors of the travel and tourism industry.

These distinctions are the result of votes by professionals operating in this sector (including decision-makers, buyers, tour operators and travel agencies) and by the general public.

This year Le Bristol scooped two of the most prestigious awards, being chosen among 16 nominees in the Europe’s Leading Hotel category and from among 15 nominees in the France’s Leading Hotel category.

Didier Le Calvez, president and general manger of the hotel, stated: “We are very proud to receive these two awards and I would also like to congratulate the other nominees such as the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Le Meurice, Le Plaza Athénée, the Hôtel de Crillon and the Ritz, who were nominated in the France’s Leading Hotel category.

“This is a great honour for Le Bristol and for Oetker Collection to whom we have belonged since 1978.

“Thanks to the outstanding financial support provided by the group, Le Bristol has been able to undertake major renovation programmes, which have enabled us to stand out in both the Parisian and international hotel sector: these include the new decorative scheme for the three-Michelin-star restaurant Epicure, the renovation and extension of the Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie, the creation of two new Signature Suites and the new Bar du Bristol which has been open for three weeks.”