New Zealand hotel wins Australasian award

New Zealand hotel wins Australasian award
  

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release                                                   

Friday September 4, 2009

A New Zealand hotel has been named among the top four in the Choice Hotels chain, taking out the ultimate prize for the Clarion brand.

Karen and Richard Murphy, of Paihia’s Edgewater Palms, were named the Clarion Collection Franchisees of the Year at Choice Hotel’s annual conference held in Melbourne.

Judges said the property was a “luxuriously modern and fully self-contained five-star Qualmark-rated waterfront property” that provided “unparalleled standards”.  And the Murphy’s “offer guests a level of warmth and welcome that complements the first-class fit-out at this property perfectly”.

Two other New Zealand hotels were also recognised for their excellence by winning Gold awards. They are: Comfort Inn Fairmont (Hastings) and Quality Hotel Wellington.

As well Andrew Milne of Quality Hotel Wellington, Arvin Singh of Quality Inn Angus (Wellington) and Darrin Muggeridge of Quality Hotel Plymouth International (New Plymouth) were named Champions of Choice.  

And introduced this year is the Champions of Choice Honour Roll, to recognise those who have been a multiple Champion of Choice award winner. Two New Zealanders were admitted to the Honour Roll, Fay Arnold (Comfort Hotel Wellington) and Anne Lawson (Quality Inn West End, Auckland)

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

Champion of Choice awards recognise individuals for exceptional service, individual effort and commitment to building the Choice brand.

The other three Franchisee of the Year winners were Comfort Inn Blazing Stump (Wodonga), Quality Hotel Platinum International (Toowoomba) and Clarion Suites Gateway (Melbourne).

The winning hotels were nominated and judged by an executive panel comprising members from Choice’s senior management and franchise service team.

Winners of the Franchisee of the Year awards automatically go into the running for Choice Hotels International’s International Hotel of the Year Awards

Aileen Cobern, General Manager Sales & Marketing for Choice Hotels said the strong showing by New Zealand hotels in the awards showcased some of the best properties in the portfolio.

“Choice Hotels is proud to offer such accommodation to both domestic and international travellers, which is assisting us with growth and brand awareness in New Zealand.”

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