For the second year in a row, Barnsley Gardens Resort has been named to Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List. Based on a survey with more than 25,000 of the magazine's readers, the list showcases the "best places to stay in the world."

"We're thrilled to receive such an esteemed award," said Sharon Cohen, director of marketing for Barnsley Gardens, one of five Georgia venuses to be included on the Gold List. "Since this award is chosen by the readers and not editors, we feel that we exceeded our guests' expectations for a luxurious, unique and unforgettable experience.

"Any award from a magazine of this caliber certainly raises your profile within the industry and beyond. This award definitely continues to raise awareness and that in and of itself impacts our bottom line. The internal benefit is absolutely astounding as it gives a nice pat on the back to our employees who are so passionate about Barnsley Gardens Resort. I think this award in particular is such a morale booster."

The top properties were selected from the 2010 Readers' Choice Awards and evaluated on criteria ranging from services to overall design. Barnsley Gardens' scored 89.9 overall and received the following scores in each of the categories -- rooms, 93.7; service, 92.5; food, 88.8; location, 84.6; design, 90.6; and activities, 89.2.

"Looking at the scores, service was rated second highest next to rooms," Cohen said. "Service is something you can take a personal responsibility for more so than other offerings. Service can make or break a guest's experience. You can be [staying at] a five-star hotel but if you're treated badly, you're not likely to go back. So with Barnsley, they get all that and more with our accommodations, an array of adventurous activities, wonderful restaurants on site, amazing wine list and a staff that treats them all like treasured guests."

Originally the 1800s estate of Godfrey Barnsley, the Barnsley Gardens Resort now encompasses 3,300 acres along Barnsley Gardens Road in Adairsville. The venue features a wide range of amenities, such as historic ruins, cottages, gardens, dining, golf, and wingshooting and hunting at Springbank Plantation.

According to a press release from Barnsley Gardens, "This latest achievement caps a list of recent honors bestowed upon the resort including being named to Condé Nast Traveler's '2010 Gold List,' 'Top 240 Spas in North America, Hawaii, Central America and the Caribbean' list and the '2009 and 2010 Readers' Choice Awards,' and also as a 2010 'Premier Resort' by Golf Magazine. Additional resort accolades include a designation as the 2008 and 2007 GGCOA 'Course of the Year,' 4.5 Star Rating in Golf Digest's 'Best Places to Play' 2007, Travel + Leisure's '500 World's Best Hotels,' Condé Nast 'Johansens Recommendation' in 2007 and an 'Extraordinary' rating by the Zagat Survey of America's Top Golf Courses (2007/2008)."

For more information about Barnsley Gardens, call 770-773-7480 or visit www.barnsleyresort.com.