ASHFORD CASTLE HAS been voted the world’s number one hotel by Virtuoso, an international network of luxury travel agencies.

The announcement was made last night at the “Best of the Best” awards at the annual Virtuoso Travel Week event in Las Vegas.

This was the first time ever that an Irish hotel was nominated.

Tourism Ireland’s head of North America Alison Metcalfe said: “Given that there are almost 1,100 five star, luxury properties in the Virtuoso hotel and resorts portfolio, Ashford’s nomination – and subsequent win last night – is a wonderful achievement.

The award also helps to raise the profile of Ireland in general, in the high end, luxury travel category in North America – an important segment for tourism to the island of Ireland.

“It gives us another hook to showcase our superb luxury tourism product, including our castles, luxury resorts and boutique hotels, our rich culture and heritage, and not forgetting our world-class golf.”

Read: Hotels are raking in the cash – and here’s how much they make on every room>

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