2011 Travellers' Choice Awards

TripAdvisor's 2011 Travellers' Choice Awards were announced this week and we were pleased to see a smattering of motels that were highly ranked and value the benefits of social media.

TripAdvisor identifies its award winners by crunching data from its 20 million traveling members' reviews. We like these awards and believe that they are more meaningful and prestigious than others that are doled out by individual travel commentators or panels of tourism industry judges - as Tripadvisor's byline for the awards aptly state: "As awarded by millions of real travellers."

Not only will the motel properties get bragging rights, they will also benefit from their high ranking on TripAdvisor where most travellers end up when researching accommodation options on the net.

There were several categories that were awarded to the top 10 properties in different global regions.

So for us, what were the highlights?

Top 10 Bargain Hotels in South Pacific

4th City Centre Motel Christchurch
8th Palazzo Motor Lodge Nelson 
9th Century Park Motor Lodge Nelson

Top 10 Hotels for Service in South Pacific

4th City Centre Motel Christchurch
6th CentrePoint on Colombo Christchurch 

Is it a coincidence that all top rated motel properties are situated in the South Island?

Well done to those special motel folk that are high achievers and adding value to the motel industry!