The International Restaurant & Hotel Awards gala ceremony will be hosted by Mark DeCarlo of Taste of America on the Travel Channel at the home of the Golden Globes in Beverly Hills, California on November 16th, 2008.

2008 GRAND AWARD NOMINEES, SUBCATEGORY RECIPIENTS and BEST OF CITY & COUNTRY RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED!

In the tradition of the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards, the International Restaurant & Hotel Awards is the world's most prestigious awards recognizing the best value, moderate and luxury travel establishments in the industry.

Recipients, nominees and judges from countries around the world will gather with the elite of the hospitality industry to pay tribute to the year's most outstanding hotels and restaurants and the 2008 Irha Award Honorees & Supporting Recipients.

Hosted by Mark DeCarlo of Taste of America on the Travel Channel

Celebrate the International Restaurant & Hotel Awards 2008 Irha Award Honorees, Recipients and Grand Award Restaurants & Hotels

Irha Award Honorees

Achievement in Wine
Robert Mondavi

Achievement in Design
Philippe Starck

Visionary of the Year
Costas Christ

Achievement in Travel
Michael Palin

Achievement in Food & Dining
Carlo Petrini of Slow Food

Humanitarian Award
Spotlight On New Orleans
The Cvitanovich Family & Drago’s Seafood Restaurant

IRHA will honor all Humanitarian Award nominees
Chef Paul Prudhomme, Cat Cora & Chefs for Humanity, Best Western for a Better World & Emeril Lagasse

Irha Award Supporting Recipients

Travel & Dining Publication of the Year
Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel

Marketing Campaign of the Year
Travelocity | The Roaming Gnome

Traveler's Vote Awards

Best of Travel & Dining in TV, Radio, Web or Film
Nominees to be announced in September 2008

Travel Editor of the Year
Nominees to be announced in September 2008

Food & Dining Editor of the Year
Nominees to be announced in September 2008

Grand Award Nominees
Click here to view the nominees

International Value Restaurant of the Year
International Moderate Restaurant of the Year
International Luxury Restaurant of the Year
International Value Hotel of the Year
International Moderate Hotel of the Year
International Luxury Hotel of the Year

The 2008 Best New Hotels and Restaurants of the Year will receive Irha statues at the gala ceremony. Additional categories to be highlighted include the Green Award for eco-friendly hotels, Best Spa, Most Organic/Sustainable, Best Wine List and more.

For additional information on the Irha Award Honorees, Supporting Recipients and Grand Award titles click here

2009 AWARDS SEASON OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS

In the 2007/2008 awards season, IRHA received submissions from over 50 countries around the world. The Jury reviewed submissions from bed & breakfasts, top restaurants, major chains, six-star luxury hotels, boutique hotels and independent restaurants and hotels in April & May of 2008. Top chains and hotel groups that participated in the 2007/2008 awards season include The Ritz-Carlton, Marriott International, Accor Hotels, The Peninsula Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Kor Hotel Group, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Starwood Hotels and a host of others.

It is simple to submit your establishment for consideration. Until September 15th, 2008 submit your restaurant or hotel for 2009 consideration and receive an early bird discount of 15% off submission fees. Register and fill out the online form or print the PDF and send your website address and optional marketing material. Click Awards for more information on how to submit to IRHA. Click Gala for ticket & VIP inquiries.

Starting with the 2009 awards season, all participting restaurants & hotels will be listed in the Traveler's Diretory online. All participating establishments are considered for citywide, countrywide and worldwide recognition.