By BW Hotelier

TRIPADVISOR HAS announced the winners of its Travellers’ Choice awards for hotels. Travellers’ Choice award winners were determined based on the millions of reviews and opinions collected in a single year from TripAdvisor travelers worldwide. Now in its 14th year, the Travellers’ Choice awards have recognized more than 7,000 properties around the world, with lists covering 97 countries and eight regions worldwide. The hallmarks of Travelers’ Choice winners are remarkable service, quality and value.

Speaking on the announcement, Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager, TripAdvisor India, said, ’I am delighted with this year’s edition of the awards and no surprises for guessing why! An Indian hotel is the No 1 hotel in the world, as determined by the truest yardstick possible, the reviews and opinions of the world’s largest travel community. I doff my hat to the Umaid Bhawan Palace hotel for achieving this extraordinary distinction, and to all the other distinguished Indian hotels that stud each of the 6 different category lists. And to our Indian traveler audience ’ I beseech you to explore the 2016 lists and start planning your travel to some magical accommodations.’

Chinmai Sharma, Chief Revenue Officer, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces said ’We are extremely proud to have been recognized by millions of TripAdvisor travelers who have voted us as Best in the World through their unbiased reviews. Our Palace hotels offer a glimpse into the life of regal yesteryear, and the majestic Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur (see photo) leads this field in luxurious service and attention to detail. We are delighted that some of our other iconic hotels were also recognized as amongst the best in the world. These awards are testament to Taj’s legacy of world-class service, rooted in the nobility of Indian heritage and traditions. Our committed Taj colleagues strive to deliver this exceptional service to our guests with our signature warmth and sincerity.’

The India Story

Umaid Bhawan Palace Jodhpur comes out on top this year by not only taking the No 1 position in the top hotels category in India and the world, but also winning the most number of awards (7) by an Indian hotel across categories.

Rajasthan continues reign at the top with 58 awards - #1 ranking hotels in three categories ’ Luxury, Small and Top are from the state

Kerala with 26 awards is second after Rajasthan

Four hotels from Kerala make it to the Asia list: Kaiya House (#6) and InDa Hotels (#16) in Bargain; Royal Mist (#7) and Munroe Island Backwaters Homestay (#14) in B&Bs and Inns category

While Kaiya House continues to be a part of the Asia list, it dropped out of the world list this year

Karnataka ranks third with 20 awards

Orange County Resorts Kabini wins five awards under the Top and Best Service categories in the India, Asia and World lists.

Goa and Himachal Pradesh tie for the fourth place with 14 awards each

Bougainvillea Guest House, Goa makes it to the World list for the first time under the Bargain category. It also ranks third in the Asia list and first in India under the same category.

Casa Da Praia, Goa takes #1 spot in India under B&Bs and Inns category and #4 on the Asia List