2012 "Best of Baltic" Award Ceremony
August 30th, 2012, Tallinn, Estonia
Limited number of invitations available: baltic.ambassador@horizondev.net before August 28th.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Friday, December 16, 2011
2012
The following destinations received Baltic Ambassador's "2012 Best of Baltic" Award for Estonia at a ceremony on August 30th, 2012 at the Meriton Grand Conference & SPA Hotel in Tallinn. The destinations were selected among 17 finalist destinations by 32 tour/MICE operators voting online between Aug 1st and Aug 28th. The vote was a destination-by-destination evaluation of 13 criteria, among which "Price/Quality Ratio", "Excellence in Tourism" and "Best fit to the local culture". More info on the specific page Baltic Ambassador 2012 Best of Baltic Award.
VIHULA MANOR COUNTRY CLUB AND SPA
(Lahemaa National Park – 90 km from Tallinn)
If you were thinking of organizing a short but high quality escape from Tallinn and fully taste what true Estonian nature has to offer, valuable options were unfortunately quite limited… until now… Accessible by highway and within one hour from Tallinn and set in the very hart of the beautiful Lahemaa National Park, near the Baltic Coast, the Vihula Manor Country Club & SPA is a true harmonious innovation that composes with some of the best things Estonia has to offer.
Vihula Manor Country Club and SPA is set up in a fairy tale setting, all along a winding river crossed by Venetian-styled bridged; a fairy tale that was the original dream of the Von Schubert, the original German noble dynasty who occupied Vihula for many centuries. For many years, it remained there, as a landmark of Estonian history in the middle of Lahemaa National Park.
It is no longer that Baltic manor landmark that some of you may have known: Vihula has finally emerged from 4 years of careful renovations, managed by both the professionally hospitality company Uniquestay and by the leading incoming tour operator in the Baltic States, Via Hansa (the manor is actually owned by the owner of Via Hansa).
After lengthy and careful renovations (main manor house building, high profile La Boheme gourmet restaurant, first eco-spa center in Estonia, outdoor traditional Estonian herb Jacuzzi overlooking the renovated manor’s original herb garden orchard, tennis, mini-golf, cafe shop & museum where you can seat directly on top of the flowing river) is emerging the very first Country Club in Estonia, which very astutely mixes the historical authenticity of the place, a natural and relaxing environment and all that is needed for a top-of-the-art modern comfort offered by its ZEN rooms and its multiple functional rooms (without altering the feeling of nature and relaxation).
Today, Vihula is the premier stay for those whom are looking forward to have either a series of intensive meetings (some of the best conference rooms in the Baltic States) combined with creative incentives not too far from Tallinn or simply a relaxing time experiencing Estonian nature & culture at its best. Many tour operators have already chosen Vihula as their base to have their clients exploring Lahemaa National Park on foot, on a bicycle, by car or by bus. http://www.vihulamanor.com
Kadi Elmeste, Sales & Marketing Director
Vihula Manor Country Club & SPA
Lääne-Virumaa 45402 Estonia
Tel: +372-32 64 100
kadi.elmeste@vihulamanor.com
Vihula is now emerging as the ultimate and safe solution for individuals and groups willing to “try” something in Estonia outside of Tallinn. It is a well located base for exploring Lahemaa’s collection of German Baltic manors and little coastal fishermen villages. Vihula is also progressing toward becoming the unique green and sustainable destination in the Baltic States, with the opening of the first Eco-Spa and the renovation of the original herb garden. It is also a very convenient and relaxing stop before reaching Tallinn when coming from Riga & Tartu. They have classical music concertos almost every day during summer. Not only the rooms are “Zen”, but the gentle sound of water flowing through the estate provides a guaranteed relaxation overnight…
----------------------------------------------------NORDIC HOTEL FORUM
(Very Center of Tallinn)
Nordic Hotel Forum is a **** star hotel which is one of the best suited hotels to welcome both leisure and conference groups in Tallinn. Why? Simply because (1) it has the most exceptional location, exactly at the center of the city and 3 min walking distance from the flower market, the gates of the Old Town and the Viru shopping center, (2) It has 267spacious twin and double rooms, therefore guaranteeing no headache to find everyone a similar room (3) a well suited parking solution for visitors cars in the hotel’s garage in the basement and nearby the hotel for buses, (4) the most remarkable relaxing center on top of the hotel with a swimming pool view over the skyline of the Old Town and accessible to all clients at no extra costs and (5) one of the most spacious and stylish lobbies in Tallinn. Strangely enough, Nordic Hotel Forum has never really needed to advertise and remains a hidden jewel in Tallinn, although it suits very well the traditional requirements from many tour operators working with groups.
http://www.nordichotels.eu 
Sales Manager
Nordic Hotel Forum
Viru Väljak 3, 10111 Tallinn, Estonia
Tel: +372 622 2905
annely.jarvis@nordichotels.eu
Nordic Hotel is where the “stars” are staying when visiting in Tallinn: Its lobby is often buzzing with local and international celebrities. Therefore, I would not recommend Nordic Hotel Forum to individual couples, whom could find a more romantic setting within the Old Town of Tallinn. On the other hand, I would recommend Nordic Hotel Forum without hesitation as being one of the most reliable, headache-free and enjoyable stays for groups (10 to 200) because it has the resource to welcome VIPs and the capacity to welcome any group anytime. The food is excellent. The rooms are more spacious than in any hotel with the same price range. The view from the relaxing center is astonishing! A must see when you go!
----------------------------------------------------OLDE HANSA MEDIEVAL RESTAURANT
(Geographic and medieval center of the Old Town, Tallinn)
As you know, Olde Hansa has already been a true institution for tourism in Tallinn for many years. Located most centrally in Tallinn´s Old Town, at the corner of Viru Street (the main tourism artery in the Old Town) and the Town Hall Square, Olde Hansa is the restaurant that caters for most visitors in Tallinn. Simply because its magic success recipe has worked admirably and will probably continue to work in the year to come: (1) It is THE restaurant that provides the authentic medieval atmosphere that is languished by any visitor strolling the streets of the Old Tallinn, with a unique medieval setting and daily organized medieval music concerts (2) It is one of the very few restaurants worldwide to provide an authentic medieval menu and authentic gourmet medieval feasts for groups. (3) Olde Hansa’s quality is the product of careful selection and intensive training of personnel: the serving personnel is kind, humorous and speak a minimum of four foreign languages to better cater for both domestic and foreign customers.
Many in Tallinn and elsewhere tried to imitate Olde Hansa and duplicate its success. Very few managed to bring about the same quality and authenticity. This is – to my opinion – due essentially to very methodical and sustainable management: The kind of management that is not found so frequently in the Baltic States’ tourism industry and that often traces the line between success and failure. Olde Hansa might be more expensive than other try-to-be-similar restaurants, at least on a “a la carte menu”; but it has bet on sustainability rather than quick cash and it works:
Customer care is the priority of the organization, because returning customers is the biggest reward for the organization and the best bet for a sustainable success.
If meals should be considered as part of the “true Tallinn experience” that you would like to provide to your customers, then Olde Hansa becomes a must. I hope that the little house will keep you good company along this year and will remind you about the good places to be found in Tallinn. http://www.oldehansa.ee
Rauno Süvaoja, Client Relations
Olde Hansa, Vene 1, 10123 Tallinn, Estonia
Tel: +372-627-9020
rauno@oldehansa.ee
To guarantee the best possible experience at Olde Hansa, I would like to recommend the second floor hall on evenings and the terrace on summer days, or the medieval hall new with a direct view on Tallinn’s Town Hall Square. Olde Hansa is also starting “full medieval immersion packages” an incredible experience back in time, where everyone is dressed-up in a medieval way and going around town to experience medieval Tallinn: A lifetime memory experience guaranteed!
Also, across the street, Old Hansa has opened “Clazz”, which offers a restaurant and a cocktail bar with live music (jazz, salsa, reggae, etc) and is well prepared to cater for groups up to 20 people. Within a few months of its opening, Clazz managed to become the favorite evening joint of Tallinn’s “chic n’ trendy” locals and foreigners alike, all in a vibrant musical atmosphere. Come early, it’s popular! Business casual dress code recommended (not a requirement at the door, but just that you feel more comfortable there. www.clazz.ee If you are with a group, better to reserve in advance! Give a call to Kerli and tell her it’s from Baltic Ambassador. kerli@clazz.ee
----------------------------------------------------(3 min walk from Tallinn’s upper Old Town)
The Meriton Hotels chain has 3 hotels and 6 restaurants in Tallinn. Meriton has been a major player in the hospitality landscape of Tallinn for many years now, helping to raise the overall standard of quality hospitality, food and service in Estonian tourism.
Should you want to take full advantage of the Old Town or rather stay cozy at the hotel during the whole stay, Meriton Grand Conference & Spa Hotel is the only one to give you that choice. Because at the same time it is situated 3 min walk from the Old Town (impressive view of the medieval castle that houses the Estonian Parliament and of the Russian cathedral from some of its rooms) and it has, inside the hotel, the largest choice of activities (spa, aqua center, gym, etc.) and restaurants (Russian, Asian, French, Spanish). It also has some of the best record in hospitality quality.
With a capacity of 465 rooms, 20 conference rooms, a 188 m2 reception room with a 100 m2 terrace on its top floor, with a direct view on the castle and the cathedral, an exceptional relaxing center, Meriton Grand Conference & Spa Hotel is one of the preferred hotels for professional groups in Tallinn. www.meritonhotels.com
Your Baltic Ambassador contact at Meriton:
Sales Director / Corporate
Meriton Hotels Group Ltd.
Toompuieste 27, 10149 Tallinn, Estonia
Tel: +372-6677176
annely@meritonhotels.com
Meriton opened last year a lovely new hotel, located in an old and charming house in the very middle of the Old Town, just across from the Swedish Embassy: The Meriton Garden Hotel, which, in addition to have one of the best location, represents also one of the best quality/price ratio that can be found in Tallinn. The Garden Hotel has its own café and a delicious Spanish tapas restaurant. This 16th century building was carefully and smartly renovated, and its nicely exposed ancient structures make it a living museum in itself. We must nevertheless recommended Meriton Garden Hotel more for individuals than for large groups, as parking there is complicated and rooms are all charming but different from each other. But what a nice gift Meriton gave to Tallinn!
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