DALLAS, July 9, 1997-- For the third time this decade, Rosewood's The Mansion on Turtle Creek has been ranked the best hotel in the United States in the "Zagat Survey of Hotels, Resorts and Spas."

The popular biannual survey based its 1997 results on opinions from 12,300 frequent travelers, including more than 1,500 travel and meeting professionals, who rated 2,100 lodgings in the 50 states and Puerto Rico. They gave The Mansion an overall score of 28 out of 30, an "extraordinary to perfection" rating, and ranked it high in rooms, service, dining and public facilities. A particularly enthusiastic participant noted that The Mansion's "luxury, luxury, luxury" comes "as close to perfection as you can get."

Almost since its creation in 1982 by Rosewood Hotels Resorts, Inc., The Mansion on Turtle Creek has consistently reaped top honors and awards from prestigious travel ratings organizations and leading magazines. Formerly a private, 1925 Italian Renaissance mansion, the restored property retains its old world splendor while providing all the modern comforts and exceptional service expected of a world class hotel. The Mansion is also the home of Chef Dean Fearing, who changed "hot" to "haute" in modern southwestern cuisine, and who planted The Mansion firmly on the map of top US gastronomic destinations.

"We at The Mansion are all thrilled that Zagat's has selected us yet again as America's top hotel," said managing director Jeffrey Trigger. "It reflects the dedication and tireless efforts of The Mansion staff to provide the highest level of service and quality. I would like to personally thank the 12,300 Zagat readers -- all valued guests of The Mansion -- for recognizing us in this manner."

Since the inception of the Zagat Survey in 1991, The Mansion on Turtle Creek has held the top spot three times. It has held Mobil's top Five-Star rating and the American Automobile Association's top Five Diamond rating since 1991. In 1997, the hotel won the highest award for service in the U.S. from Travel Leisure magazine. It has twice been voted best US hotel by Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards (1993 and 1994), and consistently ranks in the magazine's top 10 hotels, taking second place in 1996 and 1988, and number three in 1995. It won the Wine Spectator's Grand Award in 1995, 1985 and 1984, when it also was ranked in that magazine's Top 100. Since 1982, The Mansion has won numerous other awards from other major consumer and business travel magazines and meetings publications.

According to Atef Mankarios, president and CEO of Rosewood Hotels and chairman of Preferred Hotels Resorts Worldwide, "This award is not only a compliment to Rosewood but to Preferred Hotels Resorts Worldwide, as well. This year's award is a continuation of the strong standing The Mansion has had with the Zagat Survey. And, it is an honor we value tremendously because we regard Zagat as the most significant customer preference survey in the travel industry."

The Mansion on Turtle Creek is located at 2821 Turtle Creek Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75219. Reservations may be made by calling 214-559-2100.

SOURCE Rosewood Hotels Resorts