As international travellers begin to make their way back to Australia, Choice Hotels Asia Pacific is delighted to celebrate an Australian property named among the best in the world in the International Best of Choice Awards announced this week.

The Ingot Hotel Perth, Ascend Hotel Collection has received the International Best of Choice Award, named among the best properties in the Choice Hotels International network of over 7000 hotels globally.

Formerly the International Hotel of the Year Awards, the Best of Choice Awards recognise outstanding operators across the group’s brands: Ascend Hotel Collection, Clarion, Quality, and Comfort.

Choice Hotels Asia Pacific also recognised 21 Gold Award winners in the Asia-Pacific region in 2021 this week, celebrating excellence in customer service and exceptional guest experiences at properties from Perth to Hervey Bay, and many places in between.

Trent Fraser, Chief Executive Officer at Choice Hotels Asia-Pac, said all hotel operators this year deserved acknowledgement for their resilience during the pandemic and the innovation they applied throughout the year.

“I am so proud of the commitment to excellence in customer service that we see across the Choice Hotels properties, and it is wonderful to recognise our top operators this year through our Gold Awards. These franchisees have applied great resilience and innovation to deliver outstanding service and create memorable experiences for their guests, despite the unprecedented challenges they faced,” he said.

Mr Fraser said he was extremely proud of the Ingot Hotel Perth’s recognition in the International Best of Choice awards.

“This is an exceptional property and the team there have experienced the worst operating conditions imaginable in its first three years of operation.

“This award is a credit to the whole team who have strived for and maintained a level of excellence in customer service in the most trying of times.”

Paul Rogers, General Manager at Ingot Hotel Perth, said it was wonderful to receive international recognition for the hotel.

“I am incredibly proud of the team here, who have kept up our service standards despite a tough year.

We are very proud to have been able to keep every single staff member during our pandemic lockdown period.

“This Gold Award and the International Best of Choice Award are recognition and reward for the service they provide on the floor to our guests. It is fantastic that our hotel in Perth is judged among the best in the world.”

The 2021 Award winners are:

International Best of Choice winner 2021

• Ingot Hotel Perth, Ascend Hotel Collection

Asia Pacific Gold Award Winners 2021

Ascend Hotel Collection winners

• Terminus Apartment Hotel, Newcastle, NSW
• Ingot Hotel Perth, WA
• CH Boutique Hotel, Tamworth, NSW

Clarion Hotels

• Clarion Suites Gateway, Melbourne, VIC
• Clarion Hotel Townsville, QLD

Quality Hotels

• Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway, VIC
• Quality Suites Amore, Christchurch, New Zealand
• Quality Inn Sunshine Haberfield, NSW
• Quality Inn Ashby House Tamworth, NSW
• Quality Resort Siesta, Albury, NSW
• Quality Hotel City Centre, Coffs Harbour, NSW

Comfort Hotels

• Comfort Inn Western, Warrnambool, VIC
• Comfort Inn on Main Hervey Bay, QLD
• Comfort Inn Grammar View, Toowoomba, QLD
• Comfort Resort Blue Pacific, Mackay, QLD
• Comfort Inn & Suites Robertson Gardens, Brisbane, QLD
• Comfort Inn Lady Augusta, Swan Hill, VIC
• Comfort Inn Deakin Palms, Mildura, VIC

Econo Lodge Hotels

• Econo Lodge Beachside, Mackay, QLD
• Econo Lodge Alabaster, Cowra, NSW
• Econo Lodge Border Gateway Wodonga, VIC

Gold Award properties are candidates for the Asia-Pacific Hotel of the Year Awards to be announced at Choice Hotels Asia-Pac Conference in Melbourne from 10-11 August this year. Further awards for new hotel, general manager and rising stars will be announced at the conference.

“We hope these 2021 Awards inspire Australians to make the most of the wonderful experiences available in regional Australia, and get out there exploring our regions, supporting local economies and jobs that have been impacted by the pandemic.”

The Choice Hotels Awards are measured on a ‘likelihood to recommend’ metric calculated on direct and verified customer feedback, combined with franchisee engagement in Choice Hotels Asia-Pac programs and initiatives such as the Choice Privileges loyalty program, corporate social responsibility partnerships, and numerous marketing promotions throughout the year. The nominees are judged by a panel from the Choice Hotels Asia-Pac executive team.

For further information about Choice Hotels Asia-Pac, visit choicehotels.com.au or choicehotels.co.nz