Best Western Sails Taupo exterior EDITED

Best Western Australasia has added its 14th New Zealand hotel, the Best Western Sails in Taupo, to its growing hotel family.

The 4.5-star, two-level property offers 19 units ranging from queen or king one bedroom units to deluxe studio spa suites, two serviced apartments and a one bedroom family apartment.

All units have self-service kitchen facilities and Sky TV channels, with guests receiving free WiFi and complimentary morning newspapers. The hotel is pet-friendly, accepting dogs by prior arrangement and with their own bedding.

“I am delighted to welcome Best Western Sails to our growing hotel group, to help increase tourism to Taupo and its surrounding regions,” said Best Western Australasia CEO, Rob Anderson.

Canadian-born Richard and his New Zealander wife Karen Murphy, hosts at Best Western Sails, have lived in Taupo for almost three years, after spending eight years in the Bay of Islands running a five star resort for which they received the ‘Franchisee of the year Award’ working with another hotel chain.

Coming from a professional dance background, Richard worked for Paramount Pictures for ten years as a choreographer before finishing up his dance career in 2002. He and Karen then moved from Hawaii to New Zealand to begin their next successful career stage in hotel management. Richard said they enjoy the fast-paced nature of the accommodation industry.

Best Western Sails Taupo interior EDITED

“We wanted to run a smaller property that is busy all year round, not only during peak ski season or the summer months. Taupo, with its four seasons is the perfect fit for us,” he said.

Murphy said joining Best Western allows them to be part of a hotel brand with a global reputation, highly regarded among Australian, European and UK travellers.

“Best Western has a proud international reputation, and the brand fits well with our commitment to providing the very best customer care for all our guests,” he said.

Earlier this year, Best Western Sails received a 2013 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, placing it among the top ten per cent of all hotels on TripAdvisor that receive the award each year.