1 September 2011

New Zealand hotel wins a top prize in Australasian awards

Choice Hotels’ Quality Hotel Wellington had a major win, while four additional New Zealand properties took out Gold Awards at the Choice Hotels Australasia Annual Conference and Franchisee Awards dinner on Hamilton Island, Queensland last night.

The Wellington property took out the ‘Quality Franchisee of the Year’ title after also picking up a Gold Award on the opening day of the conference.

The Choice Hotels Gold Awards recognise excellence in such business areas as branding, marketing, customer relations, franchisor relations, training and development, profitability and amenities.

The Quality Hotel Leisure Lodge (Nelson) also picked up a Gold Award alongside Quality Hotel Wellington in the Quality Gold Award category. The Comfort Inn Fairmont (Hastings) and Comfort Hotel Benvenue (Timaru) each scooped a Gold Award in the Comfort category, while Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort (Rotorua) was one of just three Australasian properties to win Gold in the Clarion Collection category. Overall, 35 Gold Awards were presented.

Each of the five ‘Franchisee of the Year’ winners is in the running for Choice Hotels International Hotel of the Year Awards held in the US in May 2012.

Properties in the running for that title include the Econo Lodge City Star Brisbane, Comfort Inn Suites and City Views (Ballarat), Quality Hotel Wellington, Clarion Hotel Mackay Marina (Mackay) and Rendezvous Hotel Brisbane – Clarion Collection.

Quality Hotel Wellington is managed by Olivier Lacoua who took the helm at the Latin Quarter property just 12 months ago and was absolutely thrilled with the win.

Aileen Cobern, General Manager Sales & Marketing for Choice Hotels, said; “New Zealand properties under the Choice umbrella can be proud of their achievements at this year’s awards. They have each demonstrated a strong ethos of customer service and attention to detail that has impressed domestic and international tourists alike.”

The winning hotels were nominated and judged by an executive panel comprising members from Choice Hotels’ Senior Management and Franchise Services Team.

For further information on Choice Hotels visit www.choicehotels.co.nz.

ENDS

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