Luxury Institute Survey: High Net-Worth Consumers Rank "Best of the Best" Luxury Hotel Brands

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - April 23, 2009) - The Luxury Institute reported today the top-rated luxury hotel brands in the 2009 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey, which identifies the top brands that exhibit true luxury. The brands are evaluated in numerous categories based solely on the independently verified ratings of wealthy consumers.

For the third year in a row, high net-worth consumers rated Small Luxury Hotels of the World the "Best of the Best" among 22 luxury hotel brands in a very competitive and highly rated category. Small Luxury Hotels of the World swept top rankings in all four components of the LBSI and received by far the highest scores as the luxury hotel brand that wealthy consumers are most willing to recommend. Typical comments for recommending Small Luxury Hotels of the World are: "We have stayed at several Small Luxury Hotels of the World and were impressed with their uniqueness, location, level of service and beauty," and "so different, yet all are great service."

The LBSI asks high net-worth consumers to rate luxury brands according to four equally weighted components: Consistently Superior Quality, Uniqueness and Exclusivity, Making the Customer Feel Special Across the Entire Experience and Being Consumed by People Who Are Admired and Respected.

The "Best of the Best" are: (LBSI score out of 10)

-- Luxury Hotels
   -- Small Luxury Hotels of the World-8.54
   -- Peninsula-8.31
   -- Ritz-Carlton-8.26

"A paradox is occurring in today's luxury marketplace. As wealthy consumers have cut back, many luxury brands have also cut back, unfortunately, on the great experiences they were known to deliver. Yes, economics are really important, but delivering an extraordinary customer experience is critical," said Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute. "This is the time when luxury leadership counts most. In Small Luxury Hotels of the World, we see both brand leaders and hotel owners cooperating to increase customer loyalty. In fact, all top-three brands in this year's survey, which include Peninsula and Ritz-Carlton, have been consistently rated in the top-three for several years. That kind of culture and consistency tells us that these three brands are committed to providing the optimal luxury experience long-term".

The proprietary Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey is the only unbiased measure of the prestige of leading brands among wealthy Americans. A national sample of 1,505 wealthy American consumers, with average weighted household income of $343,000 and $3.2 million in household net worth 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 (www.LuxuryInstitute.com)

The Luxury Institute is the uniquely independent and impartial ratings 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 and consulting services 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 LuxuryBoard.com (www.LuxuryBoard.com), the world's first global, membership-based online community for luxury goods and services executives, professionals and entrepreneurs.

Contact Information: For Further Information, Please Contact: Evins Communications, Ltd. Dotty J. Giordano, Director Enid Lewin, Vice President Phone: (212) 688-8200 E-mail: dotty.giordano@evins.com E-mail: enid.lewin@evins.com The Luxury Institute, LLC Martin Swanson Business Development Phone: (914) 909-6350 E-mail: mswanson@luxuryinstitute.com