Thai hotels get the nod in Booking.com awards
Booking.com, a leader in connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, is honouring its accommodation partners that consistently deliver great guest experiences with a 2017 Guest Review Award.
Based on more than 140 million reviews, this year 549,937 properties in 218 countries and territories are being given an award. The countries receiving the most awards are Italy (81,603), France (33,500), the United States (30,502), Spain (29,598), and Germany (25,969).
For the first time, apartments take the lead from hotels as the top-awarded accommodation type, making up 30 per cent of the award-winning properties in 2017. In fact, four out of five of the top-awarded accommodation types are something other than a traditional hotel: Apartments (165,876), Hotels (132,339), Guesthouses (63,697), Bed and breakfasts (55,833), and Holiday Homes (29,634).
This continuing consumer interest in unique accommodation experiences is echoed by recent research that Booking.com conducted with 19,000 travellers across 26 countries, where one in three (33 per cent) said that they would prefer to stay in a holiday rental over a hotel in 2018. In addition, one in five (21 per cent) said that they would consider listing their own home on a travel accommodation site over the coming year. With 40 per cent of travellers also wanting to stay in an accommodation type they’ve never experienced before in 2018, consumer demand and interest in a diverse range of accommodation options remains strong.
In Thailand, 7,116 properties received an award, and the overall average guest review score was 8.6. All types of properties were awarded and globally, Thailand ranked at No 16 – up two spots from 2016 when it ranked No 18 with 4,427 properties awarded. In addition, 19 properties achieved a perfect 10 score and ranked at No 37 globally, demonstrating their dedication to offering an unforgettable stay.
A selection of outstanding properties in Thailand receiving the 2017 awards are Tropical Season Villa Resort (Mae Nam Beach, Koh Samui), Aster 9 House (Bangkok), Sawasdee Sukhothai Resort (Sukhothai), Pakping Hostel (Chiang Mai), Uncle Loy's Boutique House (Bangkok), Six Senses Yao Noi (Koh Yao Noi, Phang-nga), Villa Labaron (Bangrak Beach, Koh Samui), Layana Resort & Spa (Adults Only, Koh Lanta), Pimalai Resort & Spa (Koh Lanta), and The Okura Prestige Bangkok (Bangkok).
“The more than 140 million reviews available on Booking.com are all real experiences shared by real customers. They not only help travellers to discover the stay that’s just right for them, but they also empower accommodation providers with real-time feedback that can truly have a positive impact on their business,” said Peter Verhoeven, global director of Partner Services at Booking.com. “With these awards, we congratulate, thank and honour a unique set of real hospitality heroes – our partners – who dedicate themselves to creating incredible guest experiences and cherished travel memories for travellers each and every day.”
