Unique and Alternative Stays Take Center Stage in Booking.com’s 2017 Guest Review Awards

NEW YORK CITY – JANUARY 18, 2018 – Today Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travelers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, is honoring its accommodation partners that consistently deliver great guest experiences with a 2017 Guest Review Award. Based on over 140 million reviews, this year 549,937 properties in 218 countries and territories are being given an award, with partners in several new countries being recognized, including Cuba, Equatorial Guinea and Liberia. The top countries receiving the most awards are Italy (81,603), France (33,500), the United States (30,502), Spain (29,598), Germany (25,969), Croatia (24,395), the UK (21,655), Poland (18,391), Russia (18,300), and Greece (17,361).

For the first time, apartments take the lead from hotels as the top-awarded accommodation type, making up 30% of the award-winning properties in 2017. In fact, four out of five of the top-awarded accommodation types are something other than a traditional hotel: Apartments (165,876), Hotels (132,339), Guest houses (63,697), Bed and breakfasts (55,833), and Vacation Shares (29,634).

This continuing consumer interest in unique accommodation experiences is echoed by recent research that Booking.com conducted with 19,000 travelers across 26 countries, where one in three (33%) said that they would prefer to stay in a vacation rental over a hotel in 2018. In addition, one in five (21%) said that they would consider listing their own home on a travel accommodation site over the coming year. With 40% of travelers also wanting to stay in an accommodation type they’ve never experienced before in 2018, consumer demand and interest in a diverse range of accommodation options remains strong.

In the United States, 30,502 properties, from all types, received the award, with an overall average guest review score of 8.7. In addition, 71 properties achieved a perfect 10 score, demonstrating their dedication to offering an unforgettable stay.

“The more than 140 million reviews available on Booking.com are all real experiences shared by real customers. They not only help travelers to discover the stay that’s just right for them, but they also empower accommodation providers with real-time feedback that can truly have a positive impact on their business,” said Peter Verhoeven, Global Director of Partner Services at Booking.com. “With these awards, we congratulate, thank and honor a unique set of real hospitality heroes—our partners—who dedicate themselves to creating incredible guest experiences and cherished travel memories for travelers each and every day.”

A SELECTION OF OUTSTANDING PROPERTIES IN THE UNITED STATES RECEIVING A 2017 AWARD:

• Blue Goose Inn Bed & Breakfast

• Mahana House Country Inn

• Treme Manor

• Lumiere Hotel

• The Fillmore Inn

• Canyon Villa Bed & Breakfast Inn of Sedona

• Mare Azur Design District Luxury Apartments

• Yosemite’s Anglers Rest

• 57 Robbers Roost

• East Village Apartments

Notes to editors:

To be recognized with an award, properties had to have an average review score of 8.0 or higher based on at least 5 reviews as of 11:59pm (CET) on October 31, 2017. Only customers that have actually stayed at an accommodation can leave a review of their experience on Booking.com. After they have checked out of the property, they are invited to rate their accommodation experience against six categories: cleanliness, comfort, location, facilities, staff and value for money. As these reviews are never edited or adjusted in any way, travelers can reference them for an authentic account of what the real guest experience is like at every place to stay on Booking.com.