PHUKET: TripAdvisor, world's largest travel site, today announced its Travellers' Choice(TM) awards for Islands.
This year's awards honor more than 100 islands worldwide including lists for Asia, Africa, Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, the UK, and the US. The annual awards are based on the millions of valuable reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travellers across the globe.
''Our well-travelled community has uncovered the best islands around the world for that perfect island escape whether you want to lie on the beach or seek adventure,'' said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor.
''To help travellers book their trips to these remarkable destinations, TripAdvisor has surfaced amazing island hotels to accommodate a range of travel budgets.''
All of the top 10 islands in Asia are located within the Southeast Asia region, with Ko Tao named the number one island in Asia, ahead of Bali and Phuket. Ko Tao and Bali were also among the top ten islands in the world, placing fifth and seventh respectively.
''We are thrilled that five of Thailand's islands have once again been featured within the top 10 islands in Asia for the 2015 Travellers' Choice awards. From the budget seekers to the luxury travellers, visitors will find that there is no shortage of possibilities for travellers of every type,'' said Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sport for Thailand.
Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants and attractions on islands worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.
Top 10 Travellers' Choice Islands World
1. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos 2. Maui, Hawaii 3. Roatan, Honduras 4. Santorini, Greece 5. Ko Tao, Thailand 6. Madeira, Portugal 7. Bali, Indonesia 8. Mauritius, Africa 9. Bora Bora, French Polynesia 10. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
Top 10 Travellers' Choice Islands Asia
1. Ko Tao, Thailand 2. Bali, Indonesia 3. Phuket, Thailand
4. Ko Samui, Thailand 5. Lombok, Indonesia 6. Ko Lanta, Thailand
7. Ko Phangan, Thailand 8. Boracay, Philippines 9. Palawan, Philippines 10. Langkawi, Malaysia
For travellers planning an escape to a Travellers' Choice Island in Asia, TripAdvisor has identified the 2015 average hotel rate and highly-rated value, mid-range and high-end hotels with availability to book on TripAdvisor.
1. Ko Tao, Thailand
Average nightly hotel rate(1) for 2015: US$85.82 Value: Thalassa Hotel, Sairee Beach - US$59.66/night Mid-range: Chintakiri Resort - US$88.71/night High-end: The Place Luxury Boutique Villas - US$274.75/night
2. Bali, Indonesia
Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$157.23 Value: Junjungan Ubud Hotel and Spa, Ubud - US$75.51/night Mid-range: Komaneka at Rasa Sayang, Ubud - US$241.31/night High-end: The Samaya Bali, Ubud - US$437.63/night
3. Phuket, Thailand
Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$96.72 Value: Navatara Phuket Resort, Rawai - US$76.03/night Mid-range: Mandarava Resort and Spa, Karon - US$165.48/night High-end: Point Yamu Resort by Como, Pa Khlok - US$323.91/night
4. Ko Samui, Thailand
Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$106.81 Value: Sallamai Resort, Lamai Beach - US$54.88/night Mid-range: Lanna Samui, Bophut - US$118.44/night High-end: Sandalwood Luxury Villas, Maret - US$282.49/night
5. Lombok, Indonesia
Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$227.12 Value: Living Asia Resort and Spa Lombok, Sengigi - US$106.94/night Mid-range: Jeeva Klui Resort, Mangsit - US$197.26/night High-end: The Lombok Lodge, Tanjung - US$508.57/night
6. Ko Lanta, Thailand
Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$64.62 Value: Lanta Pearl Beach Resort - US$40.34/night Mid-range: LaLaanta Hideaway Resort - US$74.42/night High-end: Pimalai Resort and Spa - US$343.42/night
7. Ko Phangan, Thailand
Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$62.07 Value: Tantawan Bungalow - US$35.89/night Mid-range: Sunset Hill Resort - US$69.53/night High-end: Buri Rasa Koh Phangan - US$226.89/night
8. Boracay, Philippines
Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$106.03 Value: Island Jewel Inn - US$45.54/night Mid-range: Boracay Beach Club, Station 1 - US$118.56/night High-end: Discovery Shores Boracay, Station 1 - US$436.36/night
9. Palawan, Philippines
Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$94.16 Value: Floral Villarosa Pool, Puerto Princesa - US$50.66/night Mid-range: Sophia's Garden Resort, Coron - US$115.51/night High-end: Club Paradise Palawan, Coron - US$315.31/night
10. Langkawi, Malaysia
Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$67.12 Value: Sunset Beach Resort, Pantai Cenang - US$53.92/night Mid-range: Adya Hotel Langkawi, Kuah - US$77.65/night High-end: The Danna Langkawi, Malaysia, Pantai Kok - US$321.71/night
About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor is the world's largest travel site, enabling travellers to plan and book the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from travellers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools that check hundreds of websites to find the best hotel prices. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching 315 million unique monthly visitors, and more than 200 million reviews and opinions covering more than 4.5 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. The sites operate in 45 countries worldwide. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to millions of monthly TripAdvisor visitors.
This year's awards honor more than 100 islands worldwide including lists for Asia, Africa, Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, the UK, and the US. The annual awards are based on the millions of valuable reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travellers across the globe.
''Our well-travelled community has uncovered the best islands around the world for that perfect island escape whether you want to lie on the beach or seek adventure,'' said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor.
''To help travellers book their trips to these remarkable destinations, TripAdvisor has surfaced amazing island hotels to accommodate a range of travel budgets.''
All of the top 10 islands in Asia are located within the Southeast Asia region, with Ko Tao named the number one island in Asia, ahead of Bali and Phuket. Ko Tao and Bali were also among the top ten islands in the world, placing fifth and seventh respectively.
''We are thrilled that five of Thailand's islands have once again been featured within the top 10 islands in Asia for the 2015 Travellers' Choice awards. From the budget seekers to the luxury travellers, visitors will find that there is no shortage of possibilities for travellers of every type,'' said Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sport for Thailand.
Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants and attractions on islands worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.
Top 10 Travellers' Choice Islands World
1. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos 2. Maui, Hawaii 3. Roatan, Honduras 4. Santorini, Greece 5. Ko Tao, Thailand 6. Madeira, Portugal 7. Bali, Indonesia 8. Mauritius, Africa 9. Bora Bora, French Polynesia 10. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
Top 10 Travellers' Choice Islands Asia
1. Ko Tao, Thailand 2. Bali, Indonesia 3. Phuket, Thailand
4. Ko Samui, Thailand 5. Lombok, Indonesia 6. Ko Lanta, Thailand
7. Ko Phangan, Thailand 8. Boracay, Philippines 9. Palawan, Philippines 10. Langkawi, Malaysia
For travellers planning an escape to a Travellers' Choice Island in Asia, TripAdvisor has identified the 2015 average hotel rate and highly-rated value, mid-range and high-end hotels with availability to book on TripAdvisor.
1. Ko Tao, Thailand
Average nightly hotel rate(1) for 2015: US$85.82 Value: Thalassa Hotel, Sairee Beach - US$59.66/night Mid-range: Chintakiri Resort - US$88.71/night High-end: The Place Luxury Boutique Villas - US$274.75/night
2. Bali, Indonesia
Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$157.23 Value: Junjungan Ubud Hotel and Spa, Ubud - US$75.51/night Mid-range: Komaneka at Rasa Sayang, Ubud - US$241.31/night High-end: The Samaya Bali, Ubud - US$437.63/night
3. Phuket, Thailand
Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$96.72 Value: Navatara Phuket Resort, Rawai - US$76.03/night Mid-range: Mandarava Resort and Spa, Karon - US$165.48/night High-end: Point Yamu Resort by Como, Pa Khlok - US$323.91/night
4. Ko Samui, Thailand
Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$106.81 Value: Sallamai Resort, Lamai Beach - US$54.88/night Mid-range: Lanna Samui, Bophut - US$118.44/night High-end: Sandalwood Luxury Villas, Maret - US$282.49/night
5. Lombok, Indonesia
Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$227.12 Value: Living Asia Resort and Spa Lombok, Sengigi - US$106.94/night Mid-range: Jeeva Klui Resort, Mangsit - US$197.26/night High-end: The Lombok Lodge, Tanjung - US$508.57/night
6. Ko Lanta, Thailand
Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$64.62 Value: Lanta Pearl Beach Resort - US$40.34/night Mid-range: LaLaanta Hideaway Resort - US$74.42/night High-end: Pimalai Resort and Spa - US$343.42/night
7. Ko Phangan, Thailand
Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$62.07 Value: Tantawan Bungalow - US$35.89/night Mid-range: Sunset Hill Resort - US$69.53/night High-end: Buri Rasa Koh Phangan - US$226.89/night
8. Boracay, Philippines
Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$106.03 Value: Island Jewel Inn - US$45.54/night Mid-range: Boracay Beach Club, Station 1 - US$118.56/night High-end: Discovery Shores Boracay, Station 1 - US$436.36/night
9. Palawan, Philippines
Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$94.16 Value: Floral Villarosa Pool, Puerto Princesa - US$50.66/night Mid-range: Sophia's Garden Resort, Coron - US$115.51/night High-end: Club Paradise Palawan, Coron - US$315.31/night
10. Langkawi, Malaysia
Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$67.12 Value: Sunset Beach Resort, Pantai Cenang - US$53.92/night Mid-range: Adya Hotel Langkawi, Kuah - US$77.65/night High-end: The Danna Langkawi, Malaysia, Pantai Kok - US$321.71/night
About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor is the world's largest travel site, enabling travellers to plan and book the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from travellers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools that check hundreds of websites to find the best hotel prices. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching 315 million unique monthly visitors, and more than 200 million reviews and opinions covering more than 4.5 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. The sites operate in 45 countries worldwide. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to millions of monthly TripAdvisor visitors.
Pardon my cynicism, but if Bali and Phuket are 2 of Trip Advisor's greatest 3 islands in the world, it tells me that Trip Advisor is not a very good advisor to use when planning a trip. Maybe they were considering the adventure associated with trying not to get killed on you motorbike, or the endless hours of thought-provoking time you can spend picking up trash off of beautiful beaches.
Posted by Ed Sanders on April 21, 2015 15:28
Editor Comment:
Among the best three in Asia, Ed, as the article makes clear. Not that good when the world is the competition.