As travel bubbles expand, those gorgeous Insta-worthy hotels we've been pining for are finally getting a little bit closer to reach.
Travel guidance platform Tripadvisor's announced its 2021 Travellers' Choice awards for hotels, ranking them in a variety of categories including Most Romantic, Most Picture Perfect, Top B&B and Inns and Hottest New Hotels.
New Zealand hotels have featured throughout the lists, including the Wairua Lodge - Rainforest River Retreat at number 3 on the Top B&B and Inns list in the South Pacific.
The Abel Tasman Lodge in Nelson also ranked number 3 on the South Pacific's Most Romantic Hotel list and number 19 in the world.
The awards are decided after Tripadvisor combs through millions of reviews to see what hotels people rave about the most.
Despite significant disruption to the hospitality industry in 2020, hotels around the world found new ways to dazzle guests and deliver top-of-the-line service.
"Between navigating lockdowns, implementing vaccine roll-outs and negotiating travel bubbles, 2020 was definitely the year of staying local and staying safe in New Zealand," says spokeswoman Jane Lim.
"This year, with travel bubbles in place and more on the way, we're all excited to finally get back to travel. Tripadvisor's Best of the Best awards celebrate the best hotels around the world - big, small, romantic and more, inviting travellers to get inspired and start planning their epic return to travel once it's safe again."
Worldwide, the top Picture Perfect Hotel in the world went to the Emerald Maldives Resort and Spa, a five star delux all-inclusive resort made out of bamboo, natural stone and Langhi Langhi leaves. Expect to pay at least $1000 per night.
Emerald Maldives Resort and Spa. Photo / Supplied
Rounding out the top five in this category are the Golden Temple Hotel in Cambodia, Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita in Italy, La fortuna at Atitlan in Guatemala and Rocabella Mykonos Hotel, Greece.
Closer to home, these are the top ten hotels in the South Pacific, based on customer reviews:
1. Tokoriki Island Resort – Tokoriki Island, Fiji
Tokoriki Island Resort, Fiji. Photo / Supplied
2. Castaway Island Fiji – Castaway Island, Fiji
Castaway Island, Fiji. Photo / Supplied
3. Element on Coolum Beach – Coolum Beach, Australia
Element on Coolum Beach, Queensland. Photo / Supplied
4. Kingsford Smith Motel – Brisbane, Australia
Kingsford Smith Motel, Brisbane. Photo / Supplied
5. Beach Club – Hamilton Island, Australia
Beach Club, Hamilton Island, Queensland. Photo / Supplied
6. Delorenzo's Studio Apartments – Nelson, New Zealand
