Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Named #1 Island in the World; Maui, Hawaii Best in the U.S.

Award Winners Based on Reviews and Opinions From Millions of TripAdvisor Travelers

NEWTON, Mass., April 21, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TripAdvisor^®, the world's largest travel site*, today announced its Travelers' Choice™ awards for Islands. This year's awards honor more than 100 islands worldwide including lists for Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, the U.K., and the U.S. The annual awards are based on the millions of valuable reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travelers across the globe.

"Our well-traveled community has uncovered the best islands around the world for that perfect island escape whether you want to lie on the beach or seek adventure," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. "To help travelers book their trips to these remarkable destinations, TripAdvisor has surfaced amazing island hotels to accommodate a range of travel budgets."

Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants and attractions on islands worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.

For travelers planning an escape to a Travelers' Choice U.S. Island, TripAdvisor has identified seasonal hotel rates and highly-rated value, mid-range and high-end hotels with availability to book on TripAdvisor this summer. Below are also "don't miss attractions" for travelers to check out on their trip.

1. Maui, Hawaii

Average seasonal hotel rates¹: Spring: $400 Summer: $382 Fall: $336 Winter: $452

Average nightly hotel rates² for summer 2015:
Value: Maui Eldorado, Lahaina - $189/night
Mid-range:Aston Mahana at Kaanapali, Lahaina - $344/night
High-end: Kaanapali Alii, Lahaina -$560/night

Don't Miss Attraction: Haleakala Crater

2. Island of Hawaii, Hawaii

Average seasonal hotel rates: Spring: $272 Summer: $268 Fall: $259 Winter: $321

Average nightly hotel rates for summer 2015:
Value: Arnott's Lodge, Hilo - $92/night
Mid-range:Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Waikoloa - $252/night
High-end:Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Puako - $469/night

Don't Miss Attraction: Kilauea Iki Trail

3. Kauai, Hawaii

Average seasonal hotel rates: Spring: $311 Summer: $318 Fall: $295 Winter: $335

Average nightly hotel rates for summer 2015:
Value:Aston Islander on the Beach, Kapaa - $171/night
Mid-range:Waipouli Beach Resort, Kapaa - $355/night
High-end:Koa Kea Hotel & Resort, Poipu - $469/night

Don't Miss Attraction: Na Pali Coast

4. Key West, Florida

Average seasonal hotel rates: Spring: $444 Summer: $317 Fall: $319 Winter: $445

Average nightly hotel rates for summer 2015:
Value: Key Lime Inn - $218/night
Mid-range: Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel - $330/night
High-end: Ocean Key Resort & Spa-$380/night

Don't Miss Attraction: Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

5. Hilton Head, South Carolina

Average seasonal hotel rates: Spring: $253 Summer: $312 Fall: $210 Winter: $164

Average nightly hotel rates for summer 2015:
Value: Main Street Inn & Spa - $201/night
Mid-range: Inn at Harbour Town - Sea Pines Resort - $330/night
High-end: Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort - $371/night

Don't Miss Attraction: Live Oac Outdoor Adventure Company

6. Marco Island, Florida

Average seasonal hotel rates: Spring: $432 Summer: $293 Fall: $262 Winter: $382

Average nightly hotel rates for summer 2015:
Value:Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort - $267/night
Mid-range: Marco Beach Ocean Resort - $303/night
High-end: Marriott's Crystal Shores - $675/night

Don't Miss Attraction: Capt. Ron's Awesome Everglades Adventures

7. Key Largo, Florida

Average seasonal hotel rates: Spring: $263 Summer: $200 Fall: $255 Winter: $266

Average nightly hotel rates for summer 2015:
Value: Seafarer Resort and Beach - $145/night
Mid-range:Dove Creek Lodge - $215/night
High-end: Mariner's Resort Villas & Marina - $326/night

Don't Miss Attraction: Rainbow Reef Dive Center

8. Chincoteague Island, Virginia

Average seasonal hotel rates: Spring: $112 Summer: $182 Fall: $123 Winter: $103

Average nightly hotel rates for summer 2015:
Value:Best Western Plus Chincoteague Island - $165/night
Mid-range:Island Motor Inn Resort - $183/night
High-end: Snug Harbor Marina and Cottages- $266/night

Don't Miss Attraction: Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

9. San Juan Island, Washington

Average seasonal hotel rates: Spring: $216 Summer: $293 Fall: $264 Winter: $177

Average nightly hotel rates for summer 2015:
Value: Discovery Inn - $180/night
Mid-range: Snug Harbor Resort and Marina - $321/night
High-end:Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes - $399/night

Don't Miss Attraction: Maya's Westside Whale Watch Charters

10. Mackinac Island, Michigan

Average seasonal hotel rates: Spring: $211 Summer: $242 Fall: $217 Winter: $239

Average nightly hotel rates for summer 2015:
Value:Harbour View Inn - $207/night
Mid-range: Hotel Iroquois - $270/night
High-end:Grand Hotel - $585/night

Don't Miss Attraction: Mackinac Island State Park

For the complete list of winners from the 2015 Travelers' Choice Islands, as well as reviews and candid traveler photos, go to: www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Islands.

To see the best hotels for luxury, bargain, romance and more, as honored in the 2015 Travelers' Choice awards for Hotels announced in January, go to: www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Hotels.

Notes to editors:

¹Average seasonal hotel rates are based on TripAdvisor data for January 1 through December 31, 2015, for all hotels on each island. Rates are aggregated from booking partners, including online travel agencies and direct hotel suppliers.

 ²Average nightly hotel rates for summer are based on TripAdvisor data for June 1 through August 31, 2015 for individual hotels. Rates are aggregated from booking partners, including online travel agencies and direct hotel suppliers.

About TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor^® is the world's largest travel site*, enabling travelers to plan and book the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools that check hundreds of websites to find the best hotel prices. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching 315 million unique monthly visitors**, and more than 200 million reviews and opinions covering more than 4.5 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. The sites operate in 45 countries worldwide. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to millions of monthly TripAdvisor visitors.

TripAdvisor, Inc. (Nasdaq:TRIP) manages and operates websites under 24 other travel media brands: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.everytrail.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com (including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.iens.nl and www.besttables.com), www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.travelpod.com, www.tripbod.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com, www.viator.com, www.virtualtourist.com, and www.kuxun.cn.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, December 2014

**Source: Google Analytics, average monthly unique users, Q3 2014

CONTACT: Julie Cassetina

         (617) 670-6529

         jcassetina@tripadvisor.com