travel poll for the new Millennium.

Waterloo House has made it through to the Conde Nast Traveler 2000 Gold List -- making it the only Island tourist facility to be listed along dozens of other top vacation spots around the world.

Selected from hundreds of properties in North and South America and the Caribbean, the Hamilton-based hotel was one of just 79 accommodations chosen from personal recommendations for excellence.

Claudia Wardman, of Waterloo House, said the announcement had delighted the entire staff, who she said had made the award possible.

"It is very exciting news for us,'' she said. "It is the first time we have made the list. It is terrific recognition for the hotel.

Waterloo House made the cut as one of the 15 top small hotels in the Caribbean and Latin America in the magazine's November Reader's Choice awards.

Finalists are put forward for the Gold List and Conde Nast reporters interview some of the 5,000 readers who voted to sound out their experience of the hotels -- and to help them select the winners.

Conde Nast is renowned for its impartiality and knowledge, and the publicity generated by the news will be priceless for Waterloo House, and also for Bermuda.

Mrs. Wardman, who with her husband George, also run Horizons and Coral Beach, said the award is an acknowledgment of the hard work put in at the hotel.

"We are particularly thrilled because Horizons has won so many awards,'' she said.

Waterloo House wins gold award "It is a very personal thing for George, who has made such an effort over the last ten years in turning it around.

"I don't know why Waterloo House is in it but we are so proud of general manager Trudy Mulder and her staff.'' Horizons, part of the renowned worldwide Relais and Chateaux network, has also had good news, learning of its promotion in the association's category list.

The Paget property has now moved up to a yellow standard, which means it delivers "the refined comfort of a magnificent residence''.

Meanwhile, a few of Bermuda's regular cruise callers have also made the grade in the 2000 Gold List.

Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and newcomer Princess Cruises were included in the 17 best cruise lines.

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