New Zealand was proud to receive several Choice Hotels Awards at yesterday’s annual Choice Hotels Australasia Award Show. The Clarion Collection - Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort in Rotorua and the Comfort Inn Fairmont in Hastings both received the prestigious gold award.

This award recognises excellence in business areas such as marketing, branding, franchisor and customer relations, profitability, training, development and amenities. “Choice Hotels throughout the country are going from strength to strength in delivering a first-class experience to both domestic and international tourists,” says Aileen Cobern, Sales and Marketing GM for Choice Hotels. “The Comfort Inn Fairmont and Clarion Collection - Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort are properties that showcase the best Choice has to offer the discerning traveller.”

Furthermore, Darrin Muggeridge of Quality Hotel Plymouth International (New Plymouth), Ann Cowan of Quality Inn Hurley’s (Queenstown), Bryan Hughes of the Clarion Collection - Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort and Leanne and Craig Duncan of Comfort Inn Explorer (Te Anau) were awarded Champions of Choice Awards. This prestigious honour recognises individuals for their individual effort and commitment to building the Choice brand and for their exceptional service.

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