eLookers: 1. Marie McGrath & Aoife Smith ; 2. Noel Lonergan & Sinead Coll; 3. Lauren & Athena Kelly (Pix. Marc O’Sullivan)
Online travel agent ebookers.ie announced the winner of its Hotel Inspector competition at an industry event in Dublin’s Dylan hotel last week. Athena Kelly beat off tough competition to win the accolade and was judged by industry professionals including Stephen Rice of ebookers and Joan Scales of the Irish Times. Dubbed the “best job in Ireland”, Athena will get to travel around the country and stay in various destinations, all chosen by the public, reviewing hotels as she goes.
Along with this paid vacation Athena also received a state of the art laptop and a digital camera to help her record the exciting adventure. Athena sets off on her tour of Ireland today for two weeks and the public can follow her travels around the country via http://www.ebookers.ie/, which will be updated regularly with hotel reviews and pictures.
On the subject of hotels and awards, congratulations are due to The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt which was the only hotel to win two awards at the recent Condé Nast Johansens 2011 Annual Awards for Excellence. The hotel received the Best Venue and Hotel that accommodate groups of over 100 and the Most Excellent MICE Award for 2011 (meetings, incentives, conference, events).
The glamorous event at The Mayfair Hotel in London was attended by some of the most luxurious and reputable hotels in the world with general manager of the Ritz-Carlton Max Zanardi on hand to collect his two accolades.
