The operator has again come out on top in the Aged Advisor People’s Choice Awards for 2020, run by the independent review website which is similar to TripAdvisor.

Ryman was named Best Group Provider (nationwide) in the awards, while its Margaret Stoddart Retirement Village in Christchurch was named Best Small Retirement or Lifestyle Village in the South Island for 2020.

In total, Ryman took out eight of the 36 awards and finalist spots.

Chief Executive Gordon MacLeod put their award success down to the commitment of the Ryman’s 6,000 staff.

“The significant thing about these awards is that they are the result of honest opinions from people who have taken the time to review us based on their personal experience,” he said.

“It is the third year in a row that we have taken the top prize and that indicates that we are consistently doing the right thing – and that is entirely down to the hard work and high standards of our teams.”

Over 75% of Ryman villages rated in the top 25%

Overall, Ryman villages have a 92% positive rating from more than 880 reviewers.

Aged Advisor’s ratings are based on almost 6,000 in-depth reviews with ratings on seven key categories – quality of care, staff, responsive management, outdoor activities indoor entertainment, social atmosphere and food.

The Nationwide Group Provider Award is only given out when a provider of multiple facilities has the highest overall score average in at least half of its facilities in either independent living or care.

Ryman’s villages currently score in the top 10th percentile across the country for over one-third of its villages with over 75% of its villages in the top 25th percentile.