By MIKE MATHER in Rotorua
Rotorua's Regal Palms 5 Star City Resort has picked up the award for the best self-contained and serviced accommodation at the New Zealand Tourism Awards.
However, it missed out on the major visitor accommodation award at the ceremony in Auckland last night.
That accolade went to
Heritage Queenstown.
Regal Palms manager Alison Pike said the win was a credit to the hotel's 18 staff who were all very hard workers.
"It's all about teamwork and everyone from the housekeepers to maintenance to the frontline staff does a great job.
"It's also a tribute to the developers who had the vision to build something so unique."
The Fenton St resort features a gymnasium, sauna, heated swimming pool, mini golf, tennis court, a children's playground and a lounge bar.
The supreme Tourism Award went to campervan and motorhome business Kea Campers for the second year running.
However, there were some big Rotorua tourism names missing from the awards, after several businesses did not enter.
Rotorua tourism leader Mike Tamaki this week described the awards as "meaningless."
Mr Tamaki said his hangi and concert business had not entered since it won the supreme award in 1998.
He said the prize of $20,000 worth of Air New Zealand flights sounded great, but did little to grow the business.
