Ibis Budget is Best Says Travelbug Travellers

Ibis Budget is Best Says Travelbug Travellers

14 February 2013: Travellers posting hotel reviews on Trade Me’s online accommodation website - Travelbug - have voted budget is best, crowning Ibis Budget Auckland Airport as New Zealand’s Number One Hotel in Travelbug’s ‘Best of’ List for 2013. The hotel also received the honour of ‘Stand-out Platinum Property’ announced by the website this week.

The 125-room new build Ibis Budget Auckland Airport, which opened in 2011, has revolutionised New Zealand’s budget hotel sector offering travellers essential comfort and contemporary accommodation at budget prices.

The 2013 Travelbug Awards recognise excellent performance by accommodation operators based on the number of bookings made at each property, the quality of guest feedback, and the overall quality of their Travelbug listing – as reviewed by guests who have booked and stayed at a property.

Hotel Manager at Ibis Budget Auckland Airport, Hayden Henderson, said “To be named as New Zealand’s top hotel and Stand-out Platinum Property by Travelbug travellers is a massive boost for our staff, and we’re completely over-the-moon.

“This award is testament to the world-class budget accommodation we offer and it just goes to show that you don’t have to be a 5-star hotel to impress travellers. The strength and quality of Ibis Budget is changing the face of New Zealand’s economy hotel industry and we are excited to be at the forefront in delivering first-rate facilities and friendly service for travellers on a budget.”

Trade Me’s head of travel, Daniel Bridges, said Travelbug had made the awards criteria more demanding than ever before, and less than one per cent of the site’s 3,000+ properties achieved the pre-eminent Platinum Award.

“We had to make the criteria even tougher this year to ensure we had the cream of Kiwi accommodation rise to the top. We upped the minimum percentage of thumbs-up reviews and number of bookings required to even be eligible, so properties that made the grade here should be very proud of what they’ve achieved.”

He said it was a “sign of the times” that the Ibis Budget Auckland Airport took the honour of being the stand-out Platinum property. “The team at Ibis Budget achieved the highest overall score and this shows the increasing popularity of small but perfectly formed hotel rooms in good locations. They’ve done a stellar job over the past year.”

“Travelbug’s Platinum and Best in Region awards are highly competitive, and for two Accor properties to nab top spots in the competitive centres of Auckland and Queenstown, and Accor properties to comprise 20% of the hotels on our Platinum list this year is testament to the great service and value the Accor brand offers our Travelbug customers. Two Accor properties (both Ibis hotels) featured in our top five in this year’s awards – which is an amazing result,” concluded Daniel.

Accor’s Novotel Wellington, Mercure Queenstown Resort and Ibis Wellington also achieved Platinum Award status, while Mercure Queenstown Resort and Ibis Budget Auckland Airport won Best in Region. Ibis Auckland Ellerslie and Ibis Tainui Hamilton both won Best in District Awards while Mercure Picton and Mercure Dunedin Leisure Lodge received Gold Travelbug Awards.

The top five New Zealand properties in the Travelbug “best of” list for 2013 are:

1. Ibis Budget Auckland Airport
2. The Devon Hotel and Conference Centre, New Plymouth
3. Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
4. Bay Plaza Hotel, Wellington
5. Ibis Wellington
ENDS

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