The European winners of the 2008 World Travel Awards, dubbed �the Oscars of the travel industry� by the Wall Street Journal, were announced this week at a glittering awards ceremony in Slovakia attended by 300 guests from 19 countries across Europe.

Against stiff competition, the Praia D�El Rey Marriott Hotel, situated 50 minutes north of Lisbon on Portugal�s Silver Coast, was named �Portugal�s Leading Resort� for the second year running.

This caps a highly successful year for the Praia D�El Rey Golf & Beach Resort, already well known as a year round sporting destination by the world�s elite sportsmen. Recent visitors include footballing superhero Cristiano Ronaldo, since the resort�s Marriott hotel is currently the home-from-home for the Portuguese national football team during their World Cup 2010 training sessions.

�We are thrilled to win this prestigious award�, says Jorge Almeida, Resort Director of Praia D�El Rey. �It�s a recognition of how we have grown over the last 10 years to become one of Portugal�s best known resorts, with over 250,000 visitors a year.�

Apart from its 5 star Marriott hotel, the 230-hectare Praia D�El Rey Golf & Beach Resort has an 18 hole golf course with full coaching facilities, water sports, a tennis centre and FIFA-standard football centre, shops and restaurants, and over 800 luxury villas, townhouses and apartments.

Launched in 1993, the World Travel Awards acknowledge excellence in travel and tourism. Now, after fifteen years, both travel professionals and travellers alike regard the awards as an endorsement of quality. Votes are cast by travel professionals from 167,000 travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organizations in over 160 countries worldwide.

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITORS

General background on Praia D�El Rey Praia D�El Rey Golf & Beach Resort won 2007�s coveted European Golf Resort of the Year, awarded by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, and was also voted Portugal�s Leading Resort at the 2007 World Travel Awards. This is the Silver Coast�s flagship resort and offers a range of excellent value, top quality luxury villas, townhouses and apartments, with over 800 homes having been sold in the last 10 years. Just launched is The Beachfront, the resort�s most spectacular properties to date � 53 two, three and four bedroom penthouses, duplexes and apartments right on the beach, all with direct panoramic ocean views. Prices range from �458,000 to �1.4m, all fully furnished with a 5% annual rental income guaranteed for 3 years.

New planning regulations in force since 1994 now prohibit any building within 500m of the coastline, meaning these contemporary beach homes are the last of their kind in Portugal and have great rarity value.

There is also a thriving resales market, with prices generally attracting a 20% premium due to the resort�s unique beach side location and amenities and its established rental programme, which is used by owners to generate income from their properties. The Beltico Group, owner of the resort, can help with all the financial, legal and administrative aspects of buying, maintaining and renting out your home. It is a Marriott franchisee and also owns and operates all the resort�s facilities, ensuring a high and consistent level of service. The resort also boasts a 7-court tennis academy, a FIFA-standard football pitch � where Portugal�s national team frequently trains � and nature paths for walking and cycling, a children�s playground, a Kid�s Club, restaurants, bars and a clubhouse. 10 minutes from the resort is the mediaeval hilltop village of �bidos � one of Portugal�s most famous landmarks - and the area is also home to truly authentic food and traditional wines. The Oeste region, in which the Silver Coast lies, typifies the �real� Portugal.

Praia D�El Rey Golf & Beach Resort 2510-451 Obidos, Portugal

UK Telephone 0870 428 1128 Eire Telephone 1 800 946 2541 International Telephone 00 351 262 90 51 00 Email info@marriott-pdr.com.pt

www.praia-del-rey.com (resort) www.marriottpraiadelrey.com (hotel) www.pdrproperty.com (property)

For further information contact Christina Hippisley christina@belticogroup.co.uk UK Press and Public Relations , Praia D'El Rey Golf & Beach Resort

Tel + 44 20 7317 1130 Mobile + 44 7779 270226

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