Multiple Bay of Plenty properties will be battling it out for awards in the Bookabach Bach of the Year competition.

Baches in Okere Falls, Omanu, Te Kaha and Tauranga City are some of forty holiday homes from every corner of New Zealand who are in the running.

Charm finalist The Loveshack lead with 391 votes so far; in the family friendly category Strathmore House has 128 votes, and two properties in the design category continue to reel in votes with Oceanfront Loft at 97 votes and Executive Retreat Te Kaha at 208 votes.

Gold, Silver and Bronze award winners in each of the eight categories will be selected by public vote and revealed over Labour Weekend.

As the voting opens, the holiday rental site has revealed that Kiwis are most likely to seek out holiday rentals that are a little bit different to the norm.

According to a nationwide survey, nearly half the population say they are likely to select a bach with unique charm, as compared to 23 per cent who voted a classic retro bach and 14 per cent who preferred a modern bach.

Other important considerations noted were factors such as price, location, having a bach owner who is helpful and easy to communicate with and properties which cater to children and pets.

Eighty-four per cent of Kiwis with children preferred to rent a bach close to the beach, while 39 per cent of pet owners consider it important that their rental accommodation is welcoming to pets, just in case they want their four-legged friend to tag along.

On top of this, 65 per cent want a large outdoor living space, 54 per cent prefer modern fittings and appliances, while 27 per cent of Kiwis consider it important that a bach is eco-friendly and sustainable.

Thirty per cent of Kiwis think it's important that a bach is ‘instagramable' – a trend bach owners are smarting up to when designing the look and feel of the property or redecorating.

Bookabach​ general manager Peter Miles says he is impressed to see the types of properties listed on the site becoming increasingly varied, and the amenities and services provided by bach owners expanding day by day.

'There are some fantastic rentals popping up in every corner of the country that we'd like to recognise in our Bach of the Year Awards, from a modern loft overlooking Mt Maunganui Beach to a Balinese style cabin in Coromandel Township, and a clifftop home with sweeping views of Dunedin,” says Peter.

'Adding stand up paddle boards, bicycles, back yard cricket sets, fun equipment like these, all help create fond memories as family and friends enjoy spending time together in a relaxed setting.

I've even read guest feedback on our home owners lighting fires on arrival to make the place even more welcoming, and leaving freshly baked scones or homemade bread in the oven.

'Every little detail helps to make the experience memorable and one you keep, which is why we're proud to recognise New Zealand's very best holiday homes in our annual bach awards.”

The Supreme Award (the best of the Gold category winners) will be judged by two Kiwi home design experts – interior stylist LeeAnn Yare, who has more than 15 years' experience styling Kiwi homes and owns homeware store Collected in Auckland and media personality Goran Paladin who is best known as host of DIY show Our First Home.

As a judge, Goran will be looking for fantastic indoor/outdoor flow as well as something that complements its location.

'From my perspective, the winning property will have a definite connection to the outside, whether it embraces the view, and getting into the sunshine is easily achieved,” says Gordon.

'I'm interested in materials as well, are they cost-effective and stylish, and if the bach blends into its surrounds, even better.”

LeeAnn will be examining the space and how well it is suited as a holiday rental.

'As a judge, I'll be looking for interiors that are functional but fun, which show a bit of the owner's personality, as well as clever use of spaces,” she says.

'While every finalist in the awards is fair game at this point while the public have their say, one thing I'm sure of is, to be crowned Supreme Bach of the Year, the property has to look great in photos.”

Whether it's a love shack on the shores of Lake Rotoiti, a country barn in Geraldine with lots of space for all the family, a beachfront apartment in Whangamata, or a sunny designer pad in the treetops behind Little Oneroa Beach, the Bach of the Year Awards 2017 is guaranteed to have a favourite option for everyone.

Kiwis are being encouraged to vote for their favourite bach in each of the categories (Best Setting, Hospitality, Family Friendly, Pet Friendly, Eco Friendly, Design, Charm, Urban) at www.bachoftheyear.co.nz.

Voters will enter the draw to win one of ten $1000 Bookabach Escapes. Each vote (one in each category, up to eight in total) gets an entry into the draw.