Grotto Bay Beach Resort has notched up a top international award from a travel company in competition with more than 500 other hotels.

The hotel, at Bailey’s Bay in the east end, has won the 2013 Golden Apple Award from US travel giants Apple Vacations.

Hotel general manager JP Martens said: “It absolutely is an honour for us to have received this, especially considering it’s based on comments by their clients — our guests.

“It’s a great achievement for the people who work here — the whole team works very hard and it’s awards like this that make it all worthwhile.

“It’s all about taking care of our guests and that’s where our team really excels.”

Apple Vacations’ Lauren Conangla said: “This honour is in acknowledgment of the outstanding quality and service extended by Grotto Bay Beach Resort to our customers throughout the 2012/13 season.”

The award was based on results from vacation satisfaction questionnaires completed by Apple customers.

Ms Conangla said: “Out of over 500 hotels, Grotto Bay is among the select few hotels that have earned this honour.”

Now the hotel will be designated with a Golden Apple in the firm’s catalogue and on its website.

Ms Conangla added: “This will distinguish Grotto Bay to our customers as a hotel that provides above average services and facilities.”

Mr Martens added: “We pride ourselves on providing best value in Bermuda. One of the offerings we have is an all-inclusive supplement — basically, our guests don’t need any money staying with us unless they want to buy souvenirs, which is good, especially in these challenging economic times. We want our guests to stay with us — not buy the hotel.”

He added the award was also a tribute to the people of Bermuda and their friendly, welcoming approach to visitors.

He cited a friend who stopped to help tourists whose rental scooters had run out of gas and who took them to a gas station to get more fuel.

Mr Martens said: “What helps us a lot is that people of Bermuda — their friendliness and willingness to assist our guests when they’re lost or need help.”

He added that Grotto Bay was in line for another award at the prestigious World Travel Market in London, this time from its largest British partner, SAGA Holidays, which specialises in vacations for older tourists.

Grotto Bay — the largest Bermudian-owned resort on the island — features more than 200 rooms, three beaches, watersports and diving centres, tennis courts and a natural spa.

It sits on 21 acres of grounds on the edge of Bailey’s Bay in Hamilton Parish.

It is regarded by firms like Apple as providing excellent service and facilities at a value price.

Apple Vacations, which has been in business for more than 40 years, is one of the leading vacation companies in the US, selling breaks in the Caribbean, Central America and Hawaii.