Luxury Institute Survey: Wealthy U.S. Consumers Rate Most Prestigious Hotel Brands: Small Luxury Hotels of the World,

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Tue May 20, 2008 11:00am EDT 

  NEW YORK, NY, May 20 (MARKET WIRE) -- 
 High net-worth consumers rated Small Luxury Hotels of the World the most
prestigious luxury hotel brand in the 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI)
survey from the independent New York City-based Luxury Institute
(www.LuxuryInstitute.com). Respondents who would recommend Small Luxury
Hotels of the World say, "They take special care of you and know you by name and
go above and beyond a normal resort," and "They strive for excellence." 
RockResorts ranked second; Peninsula and Ritz-Carlton tied for third place.

    "Our clients tell us that they appreciate the fact that our impartial
surveys
deliver quantitative and qualitative insights for every brand in the
category," said Milton Pedraza, CEO, the Luxury Institute. "This year we added
one more critical question: Other than price, if you had the power to change
ONE thing about the brand, what would it be? The candid and creative
responses from wealthy consumers are priceless and point out major
opportunities for each brand."

    Following are the 23 luxury hotel brands that were rated
(alphabetical
order):


1. Club Med
2. Conrad Hotels & Resorts
3. Crillon Hotels
4. Fairmont
5. Four Seasons
6. InterContinental
7. JW Marriott
8. Le Meridien
9. Leading Hotels of the World
10. Loews
11. Mandarin Oriental
12. Orient Express
13. Park Hyatt
14. Peninsula
15. Regent
16. Ritz-Carlton
17. RockResorts
18. Rosewood
19. Small Luxury Hotels of the World
20. Sofitel
21. St. Regis
22. W Hotels
23. Waldorf Astoria Collection

    
The proprietary Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey is the only
measureof the prestige of leading brands among wealthy Americans. A national
sample of
1,642 wealthy American consumers, with an average income of $349K and average
net-worth of $3.7 million, was surveyed online. Survey results are weighted to
match demographic and net-worth profiles of the same audience according to the
latest Survey of Consumer Finances from the Federal Reserve.

    About the Luxury Institute

    The Luxury Institute is the uniquely independent and impartial ratings,
reviews
and research institution that is the trusted and respected voice of the high
net-worth consumer. The Institute provides a portfolio of proprietary
publications and research that guides and educates high net-worth individuals
and the companies that cater to them on leading edge trends, high net-worth
consumer rankings and ratings of luxury brands, and best practices. The Luxury
Institute also operates the Luxury Board (www.LuxuryBoard.com), the world's
first global, membership-based online community for luxury goods and services
executives, professionals and entrepreneurs. To reach the Luxury Institute,
please call 646-792-2669 or go to  www.LuxuryInstitute.com.

    

Contact:
Martin Swanson
Vice President, Business Development
The Luxury Institute
(office) 914-909-6350
 (cell) 914-715-3357
Email Contact
 www.LuxuryInstitute.com

Copyright 2008, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

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