Local hoteliers ranked top in the country

Theresa and Mick O'Mahoney, owners of the Mokoia Downs B&B, which came second in the awards.

Internet travel site TripAdvisor has awarded high rankings to Rotorua hospitality providers Mokoia Downs Estate bed and breakfast and apartment hotel Quest Rotorua Central, while Tauranga's Hotel on Devonport took the number one slot.

Mokoia Downs Estate was ranked second in New Zealand and third in the South Pacific in the B&B and Inns category in the 2016 awards. Quest Rotorua Central was ranked second for New Zealand and 10th for the South Pacific in the hotels category.

Hotel on Devonport was ranked first in New Zealand, and seventh for the Pacific region, which includes Australia, and owners Paul and Debi Bowker said they were "immensely proud".

Mick O'Mahoney, who runs Mokoia Downs with his wife Teresa, said it was the fourth successive year the B&B had featured in both categories.

"But our rankings this time are the highest ones that we have achieved," he said.

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Colin MacPhee, franchise holder of Quest Rotorua, said the team was thrilled to be recognised by such positive guest feedback on TripAdvisor.

"Our standing on TripAdvisor acknowledges our focus on customer service and the quality of accommodation at Quest Rotorua Central. The entire team take great pride in this prestigious accolade."

Quest Rotorua won last year's Hospitality Business Award at the Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards, and was also named the Quest Apartment Hotels South Pacific Franchisee of the Year.

Destination Rotorua general manager Oscar Nathan said Rotorua had a plethora of quality accommodation and passionate people working in the industry.

"So it's fantastic to see a number of these businesses recognised in the 2016 TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. Quest Rotorua and Mokoia Downs Estate should be particularly proud with each being named the number two provider in the country for their respective categories.

"Sites like TripAdvisor have become a key tool in the decision-making process for discerning modern travellers. They provide an open forum where a single visitor can share their positive experience which in turn can have a huge impact for that business."

The O'Mahoneys set up their B&B in 2010. Mick, brought up in the UK, and Teresa, originally from Ireland, pursued their respective careers in education and banking in London, then took a year out in 2004-05 to travel the world.

"We spent four months in New Zealand and fell in love with the country, its people and the way of life," said Mr O'Mahoney.

"For us the decision to set up and run a B&B was very much a lifestyle choice rather than a business decision, and we love meeting and hosting guests in our own home. In some respects this unique part of the world sells itself, so our challenge is to use our local knowledge to help our guests find the best possible combination of things to see, do and experience.

"For every set of guests, the itinerary arrived at is likely to vary."

TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards:

* Announced annually in late January

* Ranks the top 25 hospitality providers for New Zealand and the South Pacific

* Rankings are based on reviews submitted by guests in the previous calendar year