Phuket scores poorly in awards from Tripadvisor
PHUKET: The pickings for Phuket were pretty slim in this year’s Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards.
Friday 10 February 2012, 09:23AM
The island failed to score in the world listings for destinations, beaches or hotels.
Arguably the best score for a Phuket place of accommodation went to Sansuko Ville Bungalow Resort in Phuket Town, which was 6 in the B&B section for Asia and No 1 in Thailand.
It was joined in the Thailand list by Villareal Heights in Kata (8), Baan Malinee, Cherng Talay (9), Artha Hotel, Patong (12) and Phuket Baan Chang, Cherng Talay (14).
The island managed only three entries in the listings for upper-end hotels in Thailand – The Shore at Katathani in 11 place, Villa Zolitude in Chalong in 18 and Andara in Kamala in 25.
Andara also came eighth in the luxury hotels segment in Asia and second in Thailand. Trisara and The Pavilions, both north of Bangtao Bay, came 13 and 19 respectively in the Thailand segment.
B-Lay Tong in Phuket was sixth in the “Trendiest Hotels” in Asia list (2 in Thailand), while Cape Sienna was 20 (9), the AsiaLoop G House in Patong 23 (10) and Twin Palms 24 (11). The Nap in Patong ranked 12 in Thailand.
Kata-Karon scored three times in the budget accommodation list for Asia, with The Manohra Cozy Village rated 9, the Boomarang Village Resort 12 and the Pacific Club Resort 21.
Finally, Paresa in Kamala came 6 in the Asia list for “Relaxation/Spa” hotels (3 in Thailand), with Andara 9 (4) and Ayara Hilltops at Surin Beach 22 (9). They were joined in the Thailand list by Kanatary Bay at Cape Panwa (13), Centara Villas in Karon (15), The Surin at Surin Beach (16), Cape Panwa Hotel (18) and Cape Sienna (25)
Not technically in Phuket – bureaucratically speaking it’s in Krabi Province – Phi Phi Don scored fourth in the list of Asian destinations and 18 in the world.
Tripadvisor has come under regular criticism because of a widespread perception that many favourable hotel reviews are written by the properties themselves, while unfavourable reviews are written by competitors. It has yet to counter this perception.
The lists can be seen by visiting tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice
