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Expedia(R), the world's leading online travel company, today unveiled its annual Expedia Insiders' Select(TM) list of the world's best hotels http://www.expedia.com/insidersselect Marking the second annual ranking, the list is comprised of the top hotels from among a selection of nearly 80,000 properties worldwide available on Expedia.

"The Expedia Insiders' Select list makes it easier for travelers to sort through thousands of hotel options to choose the best hotel for their trip," said Paul Brown, president, Expedia North America. "Expedia has captured the experiences of millions of hotel guests, and combined them with a value rating and local destination expertise to help travelers identify the best hotels in the world for the best value."

The list represents the variety of hotel types and destinations offered on Expedia. One characteristic all Insiders' Select hotels have in common is that they have been recognized by Expedia travelers for consistently delivering excellent service, a great overall experience and a notable value. The list is comprised of hotels ranging from boutique to chain properties in a variety of small, mid-sized and large destinations. The list also represents Expedia's global selection of hotel properties, from favorites in the U.S. like The Sanderling Resort & Spa on North Carolina's Outer Banks and Chateau on the Lake in Branson, Mo., to international favorites like The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The Expedia Insiders' Select list was compiled using a weighted mathematical formula that includes several factors including:

    -- Expedia's collection of hundreds of thousands of Traveler
       Opinions(R) -- hotel reviews created by Expedia travelers who recently
       stayed at the property;
    -- A value rating determined by comparing hotels within the same
       star-rating and geographical region to identify hotels that deliver a
       notable value for the experience they offer; and
    -- Local expertise and insight from hundreds of Expedia employees in
       destinations throughout the world.
 
The full list is available at http://www.expedia.com/insiderselect. Highlights include:

    -- Number 1 overall: Sofitel Chicago Water Tower -- Chicago, Ill.
    -- Number 1 in Asia: Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel -- Tokyo, Japan
    -- Number 1 in Europe: The Knight Residence -- Edinburgh, Scotland
    -- Top Resort Worldwide: JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa -- Cancun, Mexico

http://www.expedia.com/insidersselect