Stamford Plaza Auckland has been voted the World�s Best Business Hotel: Auckland by the well-travelled readers of Travel + Leisure magazine.

Travel + Leisure magazine has the largest circulation of any travel publication, reaching 4.5 million readers monthly. The magazine�s September 2003 issue reveals the best hotels for business travellers in more than 50 cities around the globe, as chosen by the readers of Travel + Leisure.

Stamford Plaza Auckland earned the highest score in Auckland, joining the ranks of some of the world�s finest hotels.

Nancy Novogrod, Editor in Chief of Travel + Leisure magazine, says, �With an understanding that the needs of the business traveller are different from the needs of the leisure traveller, we created a special report on business travel. It offers suggestions on the best places to stay � as selected by our well-travelled and sophisticated readers in the annual World�s Best Business Hotels survey.�

�On behalf of Stamford Plaza�s management and staff, we are honoured to be voted number one business hotel for New Zealand,� said Peter Gee, General Manager of Stamford Plaza Auckland.

�Stamford Plaza Auckland has always enjoyed an iconic status in New Zealand with arguably the best location in Auckland�s CBD. I�d like to acknowledge the fine work of our team in winning the support of Travel + Leisure�s discerning business travellers. The award proves the Stamford Plaza Auckland has the facilities and service to be recognised, once again, on an international level.�

The five-star Stamford Plaza Auckland has achieved a high number of accolades over the past two years, including being the only hotel in New Zealand to receive the prestigious designation of Superior Deluxe by the Official Hotel Guide 2001/2002. The hotel was also ranked among the Top 500 Hotels of the World by Travel + Leisure Magazine�s readers in January 2003 and voted Best in the City by the well-travelled readers of Institutional Investor magazine.

Located in the heart of Auckland�s central business district, the 329-room Stamford Plaza Auckland offers five-star accommodation with exceptional service. Stamford Plaza Auckland is a member of the Stamford Hotels and Resorts Group, the largest owner and operator of landmark luxury hotels in Australia and New Zealand

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For More Information, please contact: Shelley Zucht PR and Events Manager Stamford Plaza Auckland Ph: + 64 9 912 3014 Fax: +64 9 912 7058 Shelleyzucht@spak.stamford.com.au