Canadian hotel review website Monarc.ca has published its first ranking of the most popular sun destination hotels as rated by Canadian travellers from coast to coast.
Monarc.ca takes its quasi-bilingual name from the butterfly that twice a year migrates thousands of kilometres to escape the Canadian winter. It takes its content from Canadian travellers who perform similar annual pilgrimages.
What sets the site apart is that the reviews are written exclusively by Canadians who have purchased their trip on the site of a participating online Canadian travel agency. After their return they receive an e-mail inviting them to offer feedback on the destination and resort just visited. Since this information comes directly from the reservation, the site is far less open to manipulation than other popular review sites.
Monarc.ca is a division of travel technology provider SoftVoyage. Canadian agencies can work with that company to offer a white label version of the Monarc reviews on their own website.
Over 20,000 reviews by Canadian travellers were consolidated to create Monarc.ca’s first hotel ranking report. Categories include best overall value, best food, best places for a family holiday and best places for couples only.
Mexico was the big winner, with its resorts taking 17 out of 25 spots on the five ‘Top Five’ lists. Cuba took four spots, the Dominican Republic three and St. Lucia one. Here are all the results:
Top 5 Best Value:
Iberostar Paraiso Grande (Mayan Riviera, Mexico)
Dreams Riviera Cancun (Mayan Riviera, Mexico)
Valentin Imperial (Mayan Riviera, Mexico)
Karmina Palace (Manzanillo, Mexico)
Bahia Cayo Levantado (Samana, Dominican Republic)
Top 5 Best Food:
Dreams Puerto Vallarta (Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)
Valentin Imperial (Mayan Riviera, Mexico)
Dreams Riviera Cancun (Mayan Riviera, Mexico)
Paradisius Rio De Oro (Holguin, Cuba)
Grand Palladium Riviera (Mayan Riviera, Mexico)
Top 5 Best Beach:
Catalonia Pl Maroma (Mayan Riviera, Mexico)
Iberostar Punta Cana (Punta Cana, Dominican Republic)
Akumal Beach Resort (Mayan Riviera, Mexico)
Royal Hideway Ensenachos (Santa Clara, Cuba)
Barcelo Santa Maria (Santa Clara, Cuba)
Top 5 Family Vacation:
Coconut Bay (Saint Lucia)
Karmina Palace (Manzanillo, Mexico)
Iberostar Paraiso Lindo (Mayan Riviera, Mexico)
Great Parnassus (Cancun, Mexico)
Crown Paradise (Cancun, Mexico)
Top 5 Couples only Vacation:
Iberostar Paraiso Grande (Mayan Riviera, Mexico)
Grand Palladium Riviera (Mayan Riviera, Mexico)
Excellence Playa Mujeres (Cancun, Mexico)
Paradisius Rio De Oro (Holguin, Cuba)
Catalonia Royal (Punta Cana, Dominican Republic)
