No New Additions to Elite Five-Star List
CHICAGO, IL - April 24, 2007 - Mobil Travel Guide, originator of the Mobil Star ratings program and certifications, today unveiled its fourth annual ratings of North America's top hotel and resort spas. This year, the Spa Montage at Montage Resort, California, and the Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York, continue their reign as the only elite Mobil Five-Star winners.
Twenty-seven properties were new additions to the Mobil Four- and Three-Star level, bringing this year's total list of award winners to 109 properties.
The complete list of the winners, as well as comprehensive expert reviews of the properties, is available exclusively on Mobil Travel Guide's Web site at www.mobiltravelguide.com.
"The Star-rated properties recognized today exemplify the finest in hotel and resort spa experiences in the United States and Canada," said Shane O'Flaherty, Vice President of Quality Assurance at Mobil Travel Guide. "We congratulate the Spa Montage at Montage Resort and the Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York on reaching the pinnacle of luxury and service for the second consecutive year."
Using an evaluation system similar to the one they established for hotels and restaurants in 1958, Mobil Travel Guide's undercover inspectors rated the spas using more than 450 criteria. Mobil Travel Guide updates these criteria annually. Evaluations consider every aspect of the spa, from the reservation process and check-in to the public areas, locker rooms and fitness facilities. Inspectors complete two treatments at each spa to review how procedures are provided and to evaluate consistency. In assessing the "total spa experience," Mobil Travel Guide inspectors examine factors such as courtesy of staff, overall efficiency, guest comfort and convenience, luxury, therapists' technical execution/skill and knowledge, and facility cleanliness/condition. All inspections are conducted without the knowledge of spa management and staff.
Twenty-four spas were brand-new additions to this year's list (15 at the Mobil Four-Star level and nine at the Three-Star level), and three existing spas improved their ratings, bringing the total to 27 spas Detailed reviews, as well as designations for the best spas in categories like "Urban Renewal," "Romantic Getaways" and "Bachelorette Retreats," are provided by Mobil Travel Guide and published exclusively online by HowStuffWorks at www.mobiltravelguide.com.
For a complete list of spas, click here.
ABOUT MOBIL TRAVEL GUIDE:
Mobil Travel Guide, originator of the prestigious Mobil Star ratings and certifications, has been providing the most comprehensive ratings and reviews of hotels, restaurants, and spas in the United States and Canada since 1958. Mobil Travel Guide's team of anonymous, expert inspectors evaluates properties against rigorous and objective proprietary standards, giving consumers the insight to make better-informed travel and leisure decisions. Mobil Travel Guide is published by Publications International, Ltd. under license from Exxon Mobil Corporation. Mobil Travel Guide is headquartered in Lincolnwood, IL. For more information, visit www.mobiltravelguide.com.
ABOUT HOWSTUFFWORKS:
Founded in 1999, HowStuffWorks is an online publishing company that provides objective, credible and useful information for people to learn about the world around them. The company's award-winning Web site attracts millions of unique visitors each month and is source for in-depth, easy-to-understand explanations on hundreds of topics ranging from science and technology to health and electronics. In 2005, HowStuffWorks became the exclusive online publisher for Publications International Ltd. (PIL) and its Consumer Guide and Mobil Travel Guide brands. HowStuffWorks is headquartered in Atlanta, GA, and is a subsidiary of The Convex Group, a media and technology company. For more information, visit www.howstuffworks.com.
HowStuffWorks, Mobil Travel Guide, Mobil Five-Star, Mobil Four-Star and Best Spas in America are trademarks used and/or registered by their respective owners.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Blake Ross, Ken Sunshine Consultants
212-691-2800
ross@kensunshineconsultants.com
Lauren Kerr, ExxonMobil
202-862-0275
Lauren.b.kerr@exxonmobil.com
