Research conducted by HawaiianIslands.com has identified the friendliest hotels in not just Hawaii, but for each country according to online reviews.
To determine the friendliest hotels for hospitality around the world, it analysed 12.6 million reviews of more than 14,000 4 to 5-star hotels.
Hotels were ranked based on the percentage of publicly available Tripadvisor reviews that contain the word “friendly.”
The countries with the friendliest hotels are clustered in Europe, with four of the top five — including the UK’s Belmore Court & Motel — on the ‘old continent.’ However, it is an African hotel, the Kombo Beach Hotel in Gambia, that is friendliest of all.
The UK boasts two top-ten hotels, and they’re both in Northern Ireland; Manor West Hotel, in the Republic of Ireland, also makes the grade. “Everything was a five star,” says one reviewer of Belmore Court & Motel, the UK’s friendliest hotel. “Amazing staff! Everyone was super helpful, phoning us cabs, dinner reservations and helping us navigate the area.”
Australia’s Prime Minister Visits Friendliest Hotel
Peninsula Boutique Hotel in Port Douglas is Australia’s friendliest hotel. It’s so friendly that the hotel manager even personally accompanied one guest on a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef — however, this guest was Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, so he may have gotten special treatment.
New Zealand’s friendliest is an airport hotel in Christchurch. Despite its proximity to the airport, the Commodore boasts of being set on seven acres of land and featuring award-winning native gardens.
“This is obviously a place that cares about people and the environment – great efforts to sustainability in the rooms as well,” says one guest. “I definitely recommend!”
- The friendliest hotel in the U.S. is The Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown in Oregon (43.57)
- North America’s friendliest hotel is the Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel in Whistler, Canada (47.10%)
- Europe’s friendliest hotel is 3HB Clube Humbria in Olhos de Agua, Portugal (52.11%)
- The friendliest hotel in the UK is the Belmore Court & Motel in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland (50.47%)
Kombo Beach Hotel in Kotu, Gambia, is the world’s friendliest hotel, with 52.74% of reviewers calling it “friendly.”
Hawaiian Hotels Among Friendliest in the U.S.
One of the friendliest hotels was revealed to be The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club in Oahu. (I’ve stayed there and can vouch for this!).
The Surfjack reminds us that “in Hawaii, hospitality doesn’t come with a stiff lip and white gloves… true Hawaiian hospitality is about treating your guests like they were part of your ohana [family].”
In true family spirit, some mentions of the Surfjack’s friendliness refer to the hotel being “pet-friendly.” Visitors can expect a warm welcome from the crew and a range of canine guests.
