About 190 resorts throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica and Hawaii were honored with Apple Vacations’ Golden Apple awards at the 26th annual Golden Apple luncheon, held in Oakbrook Terrace, IL, on Sept. 10.
The Golden Apple award is a “People’s Choice” recognition handed to resorts that have earned high-rankings from consumers based on the results from an Apple Vacation Satisfaction Questionnaire completed by travelers once they’ve returned from their trip.
“The Golden Apple designation provides agents and consumers with a reliable rating system. Client expectations continue to soar as hotels get better and better at providing high-touch service and upgraded amenities, especially in the all-inclusive market,” says Jeff Mullen, co-president of Apple Vacations. “We are extremely pleased that so many of the hotels in our portfolio have managed to deliver that ideal combination of quality and service.”
Apple Vacations also welcomed hundreds of travel agents to its trade show where representatives from hotels, tourism boards, ground operators, rental car services, and major airlines presented their products and destinations to members of the travel industry.
“Being new to the industry,” says Karen Murdock, travel consultant with Go Travel, Inc., “one of the highlights from the trade show that impressed me the most was the diversity of suppliers and how knowledgeable, courteous and excited they were about their product.”
Of the 190 recipients of the Golden Apple, only a select few received the coveted Crystal Apple award, which is handed to properties that have exceeded in customer satisfaction and service. The recipients of the 2013 Crystal Apple awards were:
Best Destination – Riviera Maya
Best Hotel Chain – Secrets Resorts & Spas
Best All-Inclusive Resorts – IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Rose Hall
Best All-Inclusive Family Resort – Grand Bahia Principe Coba
Best Staff & Service, Mexico – Secrets the Vine Cancun
Best Staff & Service, Caribbean – Couples Swept Away
Best Staff & Service, Central America – RIU Palace Costa Rica
Best Staff & Service, Hawaii – Hilton Waikoloa Village
Golden Apple winners are posted on applevacations.com and in the Apple Vacations destination catalogs with a golden apple logo next to their hotel name.
