The Story In Pictures
Prestigious Star Awards 2017 / 2018 Grand Ball
The Only Global Luxury Venue Awards
An Extraordinary Celebration
18:30, FRIDAY, 16th March 2018 - One Whitehall Place, London
The invitation-only awards evening on the 16th March brought together 140 distinguished individuals from the Prestigious Venues network for a black tie grand ball hosted at One Whitehall Place in London. The event featured captivating burlesque performances, sleight of hand magic, and extravagant guest prizes. This unique celebration ball revived the old-world tradition of ballroom dancing to Shostakovich’s Waltz No. 2. Set in motion by City Academy, this element of the awards evening was thoroughly enjoyed and will be a key element of future celebrations at Prestigious Star Awards. Guests included senior representatives from leading international venues, corporate partners, prestigious event suppliers, and VIP clients from a wide range of sectors.
"One Whitehall Place, London"
Host venue for the evening was the opulent One Whitehall Place. Originally established as the National Liberal Club in 1884, it counts Sir Winston Churchill among its former members. The foundation stone in its cellars was laid by William Gladstone himself, one of five Club members who went on to serve as Prime Minister. The venue is now a grand event space annexed to 5-star hotel The Royal Horseguards.
"a sparkling reception underneath glittering chandeliers"
On arrival, guests ascended a grand marble staircase to the spectacular Reading and Writing Room. A sparkling drinks reception underneath glittering chandeliers overlooking London Embankment and the River Thames followed. Guests enjoyed illuminated chess by Purling London and up-close magic by Michael King as well as music from a live jazz band by Yellow Entertainment.
"an elegant Victorian masterpiece"
The awards ceremony began with a procession to the adjoining Gladstone Library, an elegant Victorian masterpiece with ornate sculptured ceilings, and magnificent tiled pillars. During the ceremony guests were entertained with live performances from magician Michael King, Burlesque troupe The Folly Mixtures and a light show by dancer Coeur de Plume.
The Guests
Our distinguished guests came from a wide range of sectors and included:
The Finalists
2,000 venues reviewed >> 200 nominated >> 60 finalists >> 20 highly commended & 20 crowned winners.
"the world's best events showcase"
‘The World’s Best Events’ section was a showcase of 12 of the best events hosted in the past year in a category that has become known as “the Cannes Lions of luxury events.” The three finalists were revealed on the night and the winner was selected, for the first time, through a live audience vote. Blenheim Palace enjoyed a decisive victory to win the 'World’s Best Event' trophy.
"superb hospitality by One Whitehall Place"
During the post awards reception guests enjoyed canapés, bowl food and a variety of beverages served by the One Whitehall Place hospitality team.
"revived the old-world tradition of ballroom dancing to Shostakovich’s Waltz No. 2"
It was here that the evening revived the old-world tradition of ballroom dancing to Shostakovich’s Waltz No. 2. Set in motion by City Academy, this element of the awards evening was thoroughly enjoyed and will be a key element of future celebrations at the Prestigious Star Awards.
"guest prizes included a series of luxury weekends"
The evening concluded with guests prizes awarded to the best dressed lady and gentleman, best social media post and most popular social media post. The glamorous prizes included a luxury 2-night stay at Atlantis The Palm in Dubai, a sparkling afternoon tea for two at The Royal Horseguards Hotel, tickets to Blenheim Palace as well as luxury weekends at Buddha-Bar Hotel in Paris and Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
"leading innovation in wireless charging"
Guests were gifted with goodie bags containing an innovative wireless charging solution by Aircharge. Aircharge is leading innovation in wireless charging. It is the largest free wireless charging ecosystem with 4500 wireless charging locations in public spaces around the globe. The goodie bags also included other Easter treats.
"what happens at the after-party, remains at Mahiki"
The awards after-party returned to Mahiki - a glamorous club located in Mayfair and the ultimate party destination in London. The venue first opened it's doors in 2005 as the brainchild of Piers Adam, David Phelps and Nick House, and has grown to become one of the world's most famous night spots as well as an institution with an array of fabulous awards behind it.
More Pictures
More Pictures
A few additional pictures and video will be released gradually on:
Prestigious Venues Facebook page
"a series of international venue rankings"
Now in their ninth year, the Prestigious Star Awards celebrate the quality, performance and reputation of the world’s best venues qualified to host the most memorable events. The awards program is run annually by Prestigious Venues. Venue performance in the awards is used to make recommendations and develop a series of international rankings, including ‘Top 100 Venues’ worldwide.
The Official Results
PRIMARY CATEGORIES
20 Categories based on event themes.
1. Most Prestigious Gala Dinner Venue
Winner: The Wallace Collection (UK) & Highly Commended: Royal Mansour Marrakech (Morocco)2. Most Prestigious Conference Venue
Winner: Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai (China) & Highly Commended: Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney (Australia)3. Most Prestigious Meeting Venue
Winner: One Great George Street (UK) & Highly Commended: Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam (The Netherlands)4. Most Prestigious Christmas Venue
Winner: The Royal Horseguards Hotel and One Whitehall Place (UK) & Highly Commended: Cafe de Paris (UK)5. Most Prestigious Private Dining Venue
Winner: L'Albereta (Italy) & Highly Commended: Auberge du Lac (UK)6. Most Prestigious Reception Venue
Winner: Cafe de Paris (UK) & Highly Commended: Petroff Palace (Russia)7. Most Prestigious Engagement Party Venue
Winner: The Forbury Hotel (UK) & Highly Commended: Conservatorium Hotel (The Netherlands)8. Most Prestigious Wedding Venue
Winner: Vila Monte (Portugal) & Highly Commended: L'Andana (Italy)9. Most Prestigious Romantic Venue
Winner: Farncombe Estate (UK) & Highly Commended: Banyan Tree Bali (Indonesia)10. Most Prestigious Birthday Party Venue
Winner: Kenwood House (UK) & Highly Commended: Casa Fuzetta (Portugal)11. Most Prestigious Fashion Event Venue
Winner: Ritz Carlton Bali (Indonesia) & Highly Commended: Ivy (UK)12. Most Prestigious Networking Event Venue
Winner: The Dorchester (UK) & Highly Commended: 170 Queen's Gate (UK)13. Most Prestigious Product Launch Venue
Winner: Nobu Eden Roc (USA) & Highly Commended: Armani Hotel Dubai (UAE)14. Most Prestigious Film Location Venue
Winner: The St. Regis Rome (Italy) & Highly Commended: The Royal Horseguards Hotel and One Whitehall Place (UK)15. Most Prestigious Press Conference Venue
Winner: Atlantis The Palm, Dubai (UAE) & Highly Commended: One Great George Street (UK)16. Most Prestigious Corporate Incentive Venue
Winner: UNICO 20 87 Riviera Maya (Mexico) & Highly Commended: Schlosshotel Velden (Austria)17. Most Prestigious Training Venue
Winner: The Langham, Melbourne (Australia) & Highly Commended: Rushton Hall Hotel and Spa (UK)18. Most Prestigious Exhibition Venue
Winner: Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya (Mexico) & Highly Commended: Emirates Palace (UAE)19. Most Prestigious Sporting Venue
Winner: Hotel Maiensee (Austria) & Highly Commended: Burhill Golf Club (UK)20. The World's Most Prestigious Venue
Winner: Royal Mansour Marrakech (Morocco) & Highly Commended: Tower Bridge (UK)National Categories
10 National and Event Supplier categories.
21. The Best Venue in The Netherlands
Winner: Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam & Highly Commended: Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg22. The Best Venue in the UK
Winner: Natural History Museum & Highly Commended: Blenheim Palace23. The Best Venue in Italy
Winner: L'Andana & Highly Commended: Belmond Hotel Splendido24. The Best Venue in Austria
Winner: Hotel Salzburgerhof & Highly Commended: Palais Coburg Residenz25. The Best Venue in the UAE
Winner: The Palace Downtown Dubai & Highly Commended: Qasr Al Sarab26. The Best Venue in Russia
Winner: Petroff Palace & Highly Commended: TurandotEvent Suppliers
27. The Best Event Supplier
Winner: Air Partner & Highly Commended: Rupa Photography28. The Best Event Florist
Winner: Wildabout Flowers & Highly Commended: Pinstripes & Peonies29. The Best Event Entertainment
Winner: Yellow Entertainment & Highly Commended: Urban Soul OrchestraThe World's Best Events
Over 200 events entered by the world's most prestigious venues
30. World’s Best Event
Winner: Blenheim Palace & Highly Commended: InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam"world leaders in delivering high-calibre events"
All partners of the Prestigious Star Awards are carefully selected among world leaders in delivering high-calibre events. The headline event partner was one of the world’s most prominent private jet brands, Air Partner. The Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place was the most suitable destination for celebrating the world’s best venues for events. Other esteemed partners included Yellow Entertainment, EMS Events, Purling London, Rupa Photography, Temptribe, Wildabout Flowers, Michael King, City Academy, Mahiki and Aircharge.
Hosted by
In association with prestigious partners
Contact
Have a question about this event? Email [email protected] or call +44 (0) 203 397 8399.
Alternatively, learn more about this awards program on the awards website: