Hibiscus Coast Businesses Ride Wave Of 5-Star Reviews To Top Awards

Monday, 1 September 2025, 7:09 am
Press Release: Escapism

31 August, 2025

Two tourism operators on Auckland’s Hibiscus Coast are proving that an unwavering focus on quality and customer service pays off. Hibiscus JetSki Hire and Escapism – Escape Room Experiences have both earned Tripadvisor’s coveted Travellers’ Choice Awards on the back of near-perfect customer reviews, putting them among the top 10% of attractions worldwide. The jet ski rental company and the escape room venue – run by Jürgen Kolb and David Dennis respectively – are outshining their competition, thanks to a shared commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for every visitor. Both operators even keep in contact to swap ideas and support each other’s efforts, a collaboration reflected in their stellar results.

Hibiscus JetSki Hire: Two Years of Top-Tier Service

When marine scientist-turned-entrepreneur Jürgen Kolb took over Hibiscus JetSki Hire (est. 2018) in Whangaparāoa, he made it his mission to elevate the customer experience. In just the first year under his ownership, the company’s Tripadvisor profile saw such a surge in positive feedback that Hibiscus JetSki Hire clinched a 2024 Travellers’ Choice Award – and then did it again in 2025. This back-to-back achievement is extraordinary: the award is based on a high volume of “above-and-beyond reviews” and rigorous trust standards, placing winners in the top 10% of attractions worldwide.

Kolb’s focus on safety, fun and personal service is clearly resonating with customers. The business now boasts 300+ five-star Google reviews with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5, and over 500 five-star ratings across all platforms including Tripadvisor and Facebook. Many reviews describe outings as the highlight of a trip. “What an incredible experience! The jet skis were in top condition… and a huge part of what made it so enjoyable was Mr. Jürgen — friendly, professional, and clearly passionate,” one customer wrote, adding that after thorough safety guidance “we left with huge smiles and unforgettable memories”. Such glowing feedback underscores how effectively Kolb has improved and upheld the company’s reputation since taking over an already existing business. It’s no surprise Hibiscus JetSki Hire is now rated the #1 jet ski/boat rental in New Zealand by users on both Google and Tripadvisor.

Escapism Escape Rooms: First-Year Phenomenon

Over the hill in Stanmore Bay, Escapism – Escape Room Experiences is another rising star. Opened by David Dennis in August 2024, Escapism has just completed its first year of operation – and what a year. The venue garnered 700+ Google reviews while maintaining a 5 stars review average, making it the only escape room in New Zealand with a perfect 5.0 Google rating at this volume of feedback. This dizzying count (over 600 reviews by mid-year 2025, climbing to 700+ by the one-year mark) already ranks Escapism among the most-reviewed escape rooms in the country. On Tripadvisor, it’s officially New Zealand’s #1-rated escape room by traveler ranking, and in July it earned the 2025 Travellers’ Choice Award, placing Escapism in the global top 10% and one of only two escape room companies nationwide to win the honor this year. (The other Kiwi escape room recognized was Escape Quest Queenstown.)

Dennis attributes this success to a laser focus on customer experience – from when guests walk in the door to the moment they crack the final puzzle. Every escape room at Escapism is meticulously designed in-house with immersive sets and inventive gameplay. “Fantastic experience, [the] set was really well designed and put-together, puzzles were engaging and fun. Our guide was also great at managing hints,” one Tripadvisor reviewer wrote, praising the balance of challenge and enjoyment. Such feedback reflects Escapism’s ethos of constant improvement; the team is always fine-tuning puzzles and adjusting their offerings to ensure the experience is the very best they can provide. The payoff is not only the fan reviews, but also industry acclaim: achieving a Travellers’ Choice Award in its very first year is a feat virtually unheard of in the escape room sector.

Collaboration and Community Spirit

It may not be a coincidence that these two businesses are excelling at delivering fun – they share a community-minded approach and even actively support each other. Kolb and Dennis have formed a local alliance of sorts, exchanging ideas on how to surprise and delight their customers. They’ve even run joint promotions: for example, Hibiscus JetSki Hire customers have been offered discounts to try Escapism’s escape rooms, marrying outdoor adventure with indoor intrigue. Both entrepreneurs also engage with the wider community, from conservation efforts on the Hauraki Gulf to supporting local fundraisers, further endearing them to customers.

As a result of this commitment to quality and collaboration, Hibiscus JetSki Hire and Escapism are not just accumulating five-star reviews – they’re setting new benchmarks for their industries. In an era when online ratings can make or break a business, these Hibiscus Coast operators are riding a rising tide of customer goodwill to sustained success.

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