NZ world's second-best destination say readers of glamour travel mag

Huka Lodge in Taupo ranked fifth best in Australasia and the Pacific.

Rotorua's Polynesian Spa and Huka Lodge in Taupo are ranked in the top 20 by some of the world's most discerning travellers.

New Zealand was voted second-best country in the world by readers of Britain's Conde Nast Traveller magazine.

Thirty thousand readers voted in the awards, rating Italy the top country to visit.

Huka Lodge ranked fifth in the Australasia and Pacific Lodge category, and Polynesian Spa was 15th in the Destination Spa category.

It is not the first time the Rotorua spa has ranked highly in the awards. It was named in the top 10 in the medical and thermal category for three consecutive years.

"It's fantastic. We are just very pleased to make it on the radar as one of the top tourism companies," said Polynesian Spa managing director Martin Lobb.

The business attracted a lot of British tourists last year during the Lions tour and he expected the $3.5 million redevelopment under way to further enhance the spa's exposure.

His staff also deserved credit for the success, Mr Lobb said.

"It's not just a physical product, it's obviously the service that goes on as well."

Huka Lodge could not be reached for comment but last month it was also voted the top hotel in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific in a reader survey by US magazine Travel + Leisure.