NEWTON, Mass., Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- TripAdvisor^® (NASDAQ: TRIP), the world's largest travel site*, today announced the winners of its 2012 Travelers' Choice Romance awards, honoring the most romantic hotels in the U.S. and the world. Unlike any other hotel honors, TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice winners are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travelers around the world.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/49256-tripadvisor-2012-travelers-choice-romance-hotels-in-u-s-and-world

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120207/MM47674 )

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080902/TRIPADVISORLOGO )

Worldwide, French Polynesia was the top location for lovers, with three hotels in the top five, including the number one property, the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora. Among U.S. hotels, Kauai, Hawaii properties were popular among travelers seeking an amorous escape with two winners in the top five—the Koa Kea Hotel & Resort in Poipu topping the list and Princeville's St. Regis Princeville Resort coming in at number five. California hotels were also highly recommended for romance, with three properties claiming spots on the list.   

"For travelers seeking a romantic getaway with their significant other, whether it be for Valentine's Day or any other romantic occasion, TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Romance hotels offer inspiration for enchanting escapes across the globe," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor.

2012 Travelers' Choice Romance Hotels – World:

1. Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, Motu Tehotu, French Polynesia
2. Capella Ixtapa, Paseo Playa Linda, Ixtapa, Mexico
3. Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa, Moorea, Papetoai, French Polynesia
4. The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, Motu Ome'e, French Polynesia
5. Tokoriki Island Resort, Tokoriki Island, Fiji
6. Jade Mountain Resort, Soufriere, St. Lucia
7. Andronis Luxury Suites, Thiras Oias, Oia, Greece
8. Koa Kea Hotel & Resort, Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii
9. Mariaggi's Theme Suites Hotel, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
10. Royal Davui Island Resort, Royal Davui Island, Fiji

2012 Travelers' Choice Romance Hotels – U.S.:

1. Koa Kea Hotel & Resort, Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii
2. Starfish Manor Oceanfront Hotel, Lincoln City, Oregon
3. Inn of the Dove – Bensalem, Bensalem, Pennsylvania
4. Spindrift Inn, Monterey, California
5. St. Regis Princeville Resort, Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii
6. Ocean Lodge, Saint Simons Island, Georgia
7. Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Little Torch Key, Florida
8. Queen of Hearts Resort, Palm Springs, California
9. Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant, Forestville, California
10. Castle Hill Inn, Newport, Rhode Island

For the complete list of TripAdvisor's 2012 Travelers' Choice Romance winners, or more Travelers' Choice Hotel award winners for luxury, bargain, spa, and more, go to: www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice.

About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor® is the world's largest travel site, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 50 million unique monthly visitors*, and over 60 million reviews and opinions. The sites operate in 30 countries worldwide, including China under daodao.com. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to TripAdvisor's millions of monthly visitors.

TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) manages and operates websites under 18 other travel media brands, and together the sites attract more than 65 million unique monthly visitors**.  TripAdvisor's travel media brands include: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.independenttraveler.com, www.onetime.com, www.seatguru.com, www.sniqueaway.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.travelpod.com, www.virtualtourist.com, and www.kuxun.cn.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, Worldwide, August 2011

**Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Inc. and its subsidiaries, Worldwide, August 2011

©2012 TripAdvisor, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE TripAdvisor