The Algarve is highlighted in the 2006 World Travel Awards, with various nominations of hotels in different categories. Vila Joya, in Albufeira, is the only resort in Portugal nominated for a worldwide category, competing for the distinction of World's Leading Boutique Hotel, one of the most prestigious in the world, in the Travel and Tourism industry.

The Vila Joya resort is further a candidate for Europe's Leading Boutique Hotel. On a European level, other candidates are the Hotel Quinta do Lago, Europe's Leading Golf Resort and the Sheraton Algarve Hotel Pine Cliffs Resort, in the category of Europe's Leading Resort.

The World Travel Awards further distinguish the best national hotel establishments, with the Algarvian resorts competing in five categories: Portugal's Leading Hotel (contested by the Hotel Quinta do Lago and the Sheraton Algarve Pine Cliffs Resort); Portugal's Leading Resort (Hotel Quinta do Lago, Sheraton Algarve Hotel Pine Cliffs Resort, Vila Vita Parc and Le Meridien Penina Golf & Resort); Portugal's Leading Golf Resort (Hotel Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, Vila Vita Parc and Le Meridien Penina Golf & Resort); Portugal's Leading Spa Resort (Quinta do Lago and Vila Vita Parc) and Portugal's Leading Boutique Hotel (Vila Vita Parc).

The World Travel Awards were created in 1993, to distinguish the best in the world in each of the different sectors of the Travel and Tourism industry. The winners of the 13th edition, which this year features 791 categories and destinations, will be revealed in the prize-giving ceremony to take place on 20th September in the Caribbean.

source: regiao sul