Nomination for The International Guest Certified Hotel Award 2025

Sessions Retreat & Hotel

Congratulations on your nomination for the IGC Hotel Award​

Your guests absolutely adore their experiences at Sessions Retreat Hotel, highlighting the exceptional hospitality provided by your staff, including memorable mentions of Frank, Sydney, and Julia. The warm welcome and attentive service have left a lasting impression, making guests feel like family. The hotel’s unique retro-styled rooms, complete with modern amenities, make for a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Guests particularly enjoy the artistic decor and cozy accommodations that make them reluctant to leave their rooms. The property’s expansive grounds offer plenty of activities, from pool tables to hammocks, which are especially loved by families with kids. The bar and lounge areas are praised for their perfect ambience, making them ideal for relaxation and social gatherings. The stunning views and clean pool add to the charm, ensuring a memorable visit. Additionally, the hotel’s ability to host events like weddings with such care and attention has been highly appreciated. Overall, your guests are thrilled with their stays and eager to return, feeling that Sessions Retreat is a top choice in Big Bear.

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Redefining Excellence: The Award that recognises great hospitality

Powered by AI, decided by genuine guest feedback—celebrating hotels that go beyond expectations in guest satisfaction.

Established in 2004 the IGC Award introduces a new standard for excellence in hospitality, where guest experience truly takes center stage. Unlike traditional awards decided by a select jury, our worldwide recognition is powered by what matters most—your guests’ genuine feedback. By leveraging advanced AI technology, we’re able to analyze authentic guest sentiments, revealing what they truly love about your hotel. This award is more than just an accolade; it is a testament to your unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality. It helps distinguish your hotel from others and showcases your excellence in guest satisfaction to the world. With this, you’re not just meeting expectations—you’re setting a benchmark in guest satisfaction that others will aspire to.

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Your steps towards the IGC Hotel Award

Certify your hotel as one of the most guest-friendly hotels in 2025 and automatically take part in the awarding process as the most guest-friendly hotel in your region!

Step 1

Nomination

Your hotel has earned its place among the world’s most guest-centric destinations. This nomination for the 2025 IGC Hotel Award is a testament to your unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences. You’ve set the bar—now it’s time to take the next step.
Step 2

Certification

Certify your hotel and not only will you receive insightful feedback on what guests truly think about your hotel, but it will also place you in the running for the 2025 IGC Hotel Award. Complete your certification by 31.12.2024 to receive a 30% discount and secure your spot as a contender for this prestigious recognition for only €1,250 €875.

Certify your Hotel
Step 3

Award

Your hotel is poised to be recognized as one of the world’s guest-friendliest hotels for 2025. Ensure your place in the running by certifying your hotel now, and let the world see the remarkable hospitality you provide through the 2025 IGC Hotel Award.

Showcase Your Achievement: The IGC Certification

The International Guest Certified Hotel Award offers you the perfect way to showcase your commitment to exceptional hospitality. Display your certification with pride through official seals, plaques, and digital assets that amplify your brand and strengthen your connection with your guests.

Official Certificate

Proudly display your Official IGC Hotel Award Certificate to highlight your excellence.

Official Seal

Elevate your credibility with the Official IGC Hotel Award Certified Seal.

Digital Seal

Amplify your recognition online with the Official Digital IGC Hotel Award Certified Seal.

Offical Plaque

Enhance your guests’ experience by showcasing the Official IGC Hotel Award Certified Plaque.

Unlock the Power of ICG Certification

The International Guest Certified Hotel Award is your premier opportunity to showcase and elevate your exceptional hospitality. With this certification, you gain access to exclusive benefits that amplify your brand and connect with what matters most—your guests.

Make guest's trust visible worldwide ​

The IGC Certification highlights guest trust and satisfaction, creating a unique selling point to boost bookings. Your hotel also receives an official certificate and marketing materials to showcase your exceptional hospitality worldwide.

Review dashboard with AI insights

Access an AI-powered Review Dashboard to monitor and analyze online guest reviews in one place. Get real-time insights, including an AI summary of strengths and areas for improvement. Gain a clear, data-driven view of your hotel's reputation to boost guest satisfaction and performance.

Global Promotion

Benefit from the IGC Hotel Award marketing campaigns and promotions on worldwide recognized channels and magazines. 

Customer Growth

When guests book a room in an International Guest Certified Hotel, they know that other guests have had a great time there, and that it’s been singled out as a certified, much-loved hotel.

Step 2

Certify your hotel as one of the most guest-friendly hotels in 2025

Your hotel is now eligible for IGC certification, giving you the opportunity to win the prestigious IGC Hotel Award. Seize this moment—accept your nomination and complete your certification by 31.12.2024 to receive a 30% discount and be part of the 2025 IGC Hotel Award contenders €1,250 €875.

Certify your Hotel

FAQs

What is the International Guest Certified Hotel Award?
The International Guest Certified Hotel Award is a prestigious accolade that honors outstanding hotels for their exceptional guest satisfaction. Founded in 2004 in Austria, this award is based solely on authentic guest feedback, analyzed using state-of-the-art AI technology. Unlike traditional awards decided by panels or juries, the IGC Award focuses entirely on the real experiences of guests. This makes it a transparent and trustworthy recognition for hotels that go beyond simply meeting expectations—they exceed them. The IGC Award is more than just recognition—it’s a symbol of excellence, trust, and unwavering dedication to creating unforgettable experiences for guests.
Certification is where your hotel’s excellence is officially recognized, turning your nomination into a powerful mark of distinction. After being nominated based on the genuine voices of your guests, certification allows you to showcase this achievement to the world and unlock exclusive benefits that elevate your reputation in the hospitality industry. The process is straightforward. By confirming your participation and paying the certification fee, your hotel earns the prestigious IGC certificate—a symbol of trust and quality that future guests can rely on. The fee not only secures your official recognition but also provides access to exclusive marketing materials, including badges and promotional tools, that let you proudly display your achievement and attract more guests. Beyond recognition, certification includes access to an AI-powered feedback dashboard, offering invaluable insights into what your guests love most. This helps you continuously refine your services, ensuring your hotel stays ahead in delivering exceptional guest satisfaction. Certification is more than just a formal step—it’s a declaration of your unwavering dedication to hospitality. It transforms your hard work into a beacon of excellence, giving guests confidence that your hotel is a place where unforgettable moments await. This is your chance to stand out, inspire loyalty, and set a new standard in the industry—all while celebrating the heart of what you do best.

Certification is more than just an accolade—it’s a comprehensive package designed to elevate your hotel and make your achievements shine.

Once certification is completed, you’ll receive:

  • The official IGC certificate, which formally recognizes your exceptional hospitality and guest satisfaction. This quality seal sets your hotel apart from competitors and builds trust with future guests.
  • Access to exclusive marketing materials, including award badges and promotional tools, that you can use to highlight your recognition in your communication and attract more bookings.
  • Access to an AI-powered feedback dashboard, offering valuable insights into guest feedback. You’ll discover what your guests love most and refine your services to exceed future expectations.

Beyond recognizing your excellence, certification positions your hotel as a leader in the industry. It lays the foundation for long-term success and guest trust, sending a clear message to the world that your hotel is a place where extraordinary experiences are guaranteed

Certification offers a range of powerful benefits that enhance your hotel’s reputation, visibility, and connection with guests. By completing the certification process, you:

  1. Build Trust with Guests: The official IGC certificate serves as a mark of quality that reassures potential guests they’re choosing a hotel with proven excellence in hospitality.
  2. Stand Out in a Competitive Market: Certification distinguishes your hotel as one of the most guest-friendly in your region, giving you an edge over competitors and making your property more appealing to travelers.
  3. Marketing Tools: Access to exclusive promotional materials, such as award badges and seals, helps you showcase your achievement across various channels, boosting your visibility and brand recognition.
  4. Access to Actionable Insights: The AI-powered feedback dashboard consolidates guest reviews across multiple platforms into one place and provides AI powered insights, allowing you to understand their needs better and improve your services to exceed expectations.
  5. Enhance Your Global Reputation: Certification aligns your hotel with an internationally recognized standard of excellence, helping you attract more discerning travelers and build long-term loyalty.

Certification is not just an honor—it’s an investment in your hotel’s success, creating opportunities for growth, trust, and a lasting connection with your guests.

Yes, a participation fee of €1,250 applies for certification. This fee not only covers the official recognition of your hotel’s excellence but also secures your place in the running for the prestigious Awarded distinction.

By completing the certification, you gain access to:

  • The official IGC certificate, highlighting your hotel as one of the most guest-friendly in your region.
  • Exclusive marketing materials, such as award badges and promotional tools, to showcase your achievement and attract future guests.
  • An AI-powered feedback dashboard, providing a consolidated view of guest reviews across platforms and AI insights to help you continually enhance your service.

In addition to these benefits, certification is your gateway to competing for the Awarded title, which crowns your hotel as the most guest-friendly in your region. This €1,250 investment elevates your reputation, sets your hotel apart in the market, and builds lasting trust with future guests.

Each year, the Awarded hotels are chosen based on authentic guest reviews. These reviews reflect the genuine experiences of real guests, ensuring that the selection process is fair and transparent. The hotels with the highest levels of guest satisfaction in their respective regions receive this prestigious title. It’s a recognition of their exceptional commitment to hospitality, highlighting the hotels that consistently go above and beyond to create unforgettable guest experiences.

The certification is valid for one year. During this time, your hotel can proudly display the IGC certificate and use the exclusive marketing materials to highlight your achievement. After one year, the certification can be renewed, allowing you to maintain your status as one of the most guest-friendly hotels in your region. This ensures that your recognition remains current and continues to reflect your commitment to exceptional guest satisfaction.

If your hotel’s guest satisfaction rating falls below the required 80%, you’ll be notified and given the opportunity to address any areas for improvement. Certification may be temporarily paused, giving your hotel the chance to refocus and enhance the guest experience. This is not the end of your journey—it’s a chance to grow and refine your services. By analyzing guest feedback and making thoughtful adjustments, your hotel can regain its position as a leader in guest satisfaction. The IGC Award celebrates continuous improvement, supporting hotels in their commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality.
Yes, certified hotels have the option to purchase a physical trophy or certificate from our online shop. These beautifully designed items are perfect for displaying your achievement at your hotel. The digital certificate, however, is provided free of charge and can be used immediately to showcase your recognition across your online platforms and marketing materials.

Yes, absolutely! Once your hotel is certified, you’ll receive exclusive marketing materials, including the official IGC Certified seal. This seal can be proudly displayed in your marketing campaigns, on your website, social media, and other promotional channels.

Using the seal highlights your hotel’s achievement as one of the most guest-friendly in your region, building trust with potential guests and setting your brand apart from competitors. 

Any hotel that achieves a guest satisfaction rating of at least 80% is eligible to participate in the IGC Award. No application is required, as nominations are based solely on authentic guest feedback.
The best way to improve your rating is by actively gathering guest feedback and addressing their needs and expectations. With the AI-powered dashboard provided during certification, you can plan targeted improvements to enhance guest satisfaction.
No, your hotel’s specific satisfaction ratings are not publicly disclosed. However, your participation and certification signal your exceptional guest satisfaction, and using the IGC seal demonstrates your commitment to hospitality excellence.
The IGC Award stands out because it is entirely based on authentic guest feedback. No jury, no applications—only the voices of your guests determine your eligibility. Using advanced AI technology ensures that the award reflects genuine guest satisfaction.
Absolutely! The IGC seal builds trust with potential guests, which can directly impact booking decisions. Certification highlights your hotel as a reliable and guest-friendly option, strengthening your position in a competitive market.

Hotel Details

Sessions Retreat & Hotel
41421 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315, USA
+1 858-879-8805
sessionsretreat.com

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