Istanbul – September 8, 2009 – Everyone appreciates a warm welcome when they start a new job, but nothing compares to the award-winning reception that recently greeted the new general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul.

Just weeks into his new role, Martin Kleinmann was delighted to be informed that his hotel had been voted the “Best Overseas Business Hotel” in the acclaimed Condé Nast Traveller UK Readers’ Awards 2009.

The award is a major milestone for The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul as it is based entirely on the independent votes of guests. And, in achieving the top position, the hotel beat off fierce competition from some of the world’s most luxurious hotels.

Announcing the prestigious award in the October issue of the magazine, Condé Nast Traveller tells readers: “When travelling abroad on business, the hotel you most like to visit is The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul. You say it deserves top marks for business services/systems available (93.15 out of 100) and conference facilities (91.43) as well as service/staff (90).”

For general manager Martin Kleinmann the recognition is a heart-warming start to his new role at the hotel. “I am delighted to be receiving this award on behalf of the Ladies and Gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul,” he said. “The guests who have voted for our hotel are no strangers to luxurious international hotels, so it is an honour to be independently chosen as the best from such distinguished competition. The award pays tribute to our Ladies and Gentlemen and their commitment to the values that have made The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul so incredibly popular with international travellers.”

The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul is no stranger to awards. In June, Hewitt Associates named the hotel “Best Employer in Central Eastern Europe” for the second year running following a survey of 160,000 employees across 11 countries.

“The Condé Nast Traveller award comes at an exciting time for The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul,” said Kleinmann. “We are undergoing an extensive program of refurbishment that will see the hotel in even better shape to celebrate next year when Istanbul becomes the Cultural Capital of Europe.”

The new general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul comes to the city with 14 years of luxury hotel experience. German-born Kleinmann was previously the general manager of the 369-room Nile Hotel, Cairo, a property managed by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. Before moving to Egypt he was the acting general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa.

Prior to joining Ritz-Carlton, Kleinmann enjoyed a series of senior executive positions at the Raffles Hotel Vier Jahrezeiten Hamburg in Germany after serving as assistant manager at New York’s luxurious Hotel InterContinental The Barclay. He is married with two sons and holds a degree in Hotel Management from the Hotel Business School Bad Ueberkingen.

“The Condé Nast Traveller “Best Overseas Business Hotel” award is a wonderful welcome to my job and I look forward to being an integral part of the continued future success of The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul,” Kleinmann said.

About the hotel
The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul is located at one of the most exciting cultural crossroads in the world in a city that bridges the continents of Asia and Europe along the banks of the Bosporus Strait. Internationally recognised for its commitment to exceptional levels of service, The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul was voted “Best Overseas Business Hotel 2009” by readers of Condé Nast Traveller UK and has been named Central Eastern Europe’s Best Employer two years running by Hewitt Associates. The hotel features 244 rooms including 23 suites and 57 Ritz-Carlton Club Level rooms and has 2,403 square meters/25,866 square feet of conference and meeting space. In addition to Cintemani Restaurant and RC Bar, The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul offers the award-wining Laveda Spa that includes ten treatment rooms including Turkish Hamam as well as an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and round-the-clock fitness facilities. Further information directly at the hotel at 00 90 (212) 334-444 or http://www.ritzcarlton.com/istanbul.