It’s a case of true love for the Sunshine Coast’s boutique hotels, as the region has once again dominated Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for Top Hotels for Romance.
Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat in Montville was not only named Australia’s most romantic hotel – it topped the list of Top 25 Hotels for Romance – World, ahead of famed competitors from Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa.
And to highlight this wasn’t a fluke, three Sunshine Coast boutique hotels took out the top three positions in the Top 25 Hotels for Romance – Australia: Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat, Bli Bli House Riverside Retreat and The Falls Montville – while Bli Bli House was third in the list of the world’s most romantic hotels.
According to the global review site, Tridadvisor, their Travellers’ Choice ‘Best of the Best’ lists (https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/TravelersChoice) are “drawn from the experiences of the best experts possible: Real travellers who’ve been there before…millions of travellers everywhere shared reviews and opinions based on those places and moments that left an impression.”
Sunshine Coast hotels dominated many Award categories, particular in the boutique range:
Top 25 Small Hotels – Australia
#1 The Falls Montville (Montville)
#2 Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat (Montville)
#3 Bli Bli House Riverside Retreat(Bli Bli)
Top 25 Small Hotels – World
#3 The Falls Montville
#12 Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat
Top 25 B&B’s – Australia
#1 Blue Summit Cottages (Maleny)
#22 Eden Lodge B&B Mapleton
#23 Cooroy Luxury Apartments Noosa
#24 Maleny Tropical Retreat
Top 25 B&B’s – World
#15 Blue Summit Cottages (Maleny)
While the Travellers’ Choice awards highlighted that love was in the air of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland’s cool mountain villages, travellers also took a shine to the Sunshine Coast’s beaches with Element on Coolum Beach announced as Top Hotel in Australia, being rated higher than luxury 5-star hotels such The Darling, Como Perth, Treasury on Collins, and QT Melbourne.
What these awards show is that you don’t have to be big and grand to be the best,” says Visit Sunshine Coast CEO, Matt Stoeckel.
“What clearly resonates most with travellers is the experience, the connection with the landscape, and the hosts who deliver the hospitality.
“What is common with all the hotels that were recognised in these awards is the ‘personal touch’, the attention to detail, and delivery of a memorable stay.
“Never before has the need to rejuvenate and revitalise been so important for travellers. These retreats and B&Bs are very often in stunning locations, where nature is at the fore of the experience, and the hotel operators do everything 
they can to connect their guests with the environment – whether it is exploring the local area, finding outstanding restaurants, markets or galleries, or just providing a sanctuary where they can make the most of their precious escape.
“It has obviously been a very difficult year for all accommodation operators on the Sunshine Coast, so this is just reward for their resilience and dedication to providing the ultimate service.”
Full list of Travellers’ Choice Awards – https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/TravelersChoice
Recent guest reviews of Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat:
- Incredibly romantic stay at Narrows! Such a beautiful spot and the rooms were amazing, hosts even picked roses for us! Spa bath is lovely and big and breakfast hamper was a nice touch! 10/10 would recommend! – Bonnie
- My husband and I stayed at Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat for a quiet getaway. We were greeted warmly by Xochi and nothing was too much effort. She was a truly lovely host. It felt like a true escape from our city life. Our cabin was immaculate and beautiful. Very private, relaxing stay with a lovely spa bath and log fire in our cabin. We had a cooked meal one night which was great – Jenna
- We spent two nights at Narrows in the most comfortable cabin in a beautiful rainforest setting close to the delightful village of Montville. The eye to detail of the owner/hosts is perfection itself from the generous breakfast basket to the complimentory cheese platter in the fridge. A nature trail through the rainforest is enjoyable to wander and the saltwater pool refreshing. Very highly recommended and we shall definitely be returning soon! – Sheila
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