Nine large hotels have been voted the best in England and are to go through to the Excellence in England Tourism Awards 2004, in association with Enjoy England*. The winner of the Large Hotel of the Year category (over 50 bedrooms) will be announced at the national awards ceremony at Kensington Palace in London on 22 April 2004, on the eve of St George’s Day.
The finalists have all come through rigorous awards run by England’s nine regional tourist boards, where they battled it out against hundreds of other entries for a chance to win the Excellence in England Tourism Award accolade for Large Hotel of the Year.
The winner will have shown commitment to providing excellent accommodation, services and customer care as well as strong environmental policies. They will also have invested in staff training and development and made provision for disabled guests in line with the new Disability Discrimination Act* coming fully into force in October 2004.
The Large Hotel of the Year national finalists are:
Low Wood Hotel – Cumbria Tourist Board www.elh.co.uk/hotels/lowwood
Low Wood is situated on the shores of Lake Windermere and is the ultimate Lake District resort hotel offering a choice of restaurants, extensive leisure club with hair & beauty salons and watersports centre. The hotel handles a variety of leisure, conference & international business, especially from Japan whilst marketing in emerging tourism markets including China. The hotel also supports environmental work raising money for conservation projects and delivers unique training and customer service programmes.
De Vere Dunstan Hall Hotel – East of England Tourist Board www.devereonline.co.uk
De Vere Dunston Hall, a Grade II listed country house is set over 150 acres of wooded parkland yet only 10 minutes from the centre of Norwich, which boasts some of the best shopping in the country. Full of period character and charm, the hotel offers the best modern leisure facilities, wide variety of dining with a choice of 3 restaurants. Golfers will be delighted with the 18 hole golf course and driving range. The hotel is well positioned to explore the delights of this fascinating corner of England with unspoilt beaches and bustling resorts within easy reach.
De Vere Belton Woods Hotel – Visit Heart of England www.devereonline.co.uk
The De Vere Belton Woods is a very high quality hotel, spa, conference centre and all-round leisure resort. Staff offer excellent customer service and the hotel is child-friendly. There is an OFTSED inspected crèche that allows guests the freedom to enjoy the luxury facilities knowing their children are well looked after.
The Landmark Hotel – Visit London www.landmarklondon.co.uk
The Landmark London has made extensive and innovative improvements over the past year, including investing £4 million to refurbish the bedrooms. Some 190 rooms have been beautifully refurbished and modernised with changes to the lighting, the introduction of high-speed Internet access as well as specially designed lap top safes. Following the downturn in tourism, business has been sought in new markets such as Russia. Repeat business is encouraged via a reward programme, an e-card scheme for Internet bookers and a gift box for female business travellers. The hotel also monitors feedback from guests and acts on their suggestions. The Landmark has reached level one accreditation in the National Accessible Scheme and has plans to achieve levels two and three by July 2004.
The Copthorne Hotel – Northumbria Tourist Board www.milleniumhotels.com
Situated on the cosmopolitan Quayside with views of the River Tyne and its seven famous bridges, the Copthorne Hotel Newcastle is perfect for both business and pleasure with easy access for air, rail and road. Built around a glass atrium, the very best is made of the hotel's location with the 156 bedrooms, bars, 2 restaurants and leisure club overlooking the river. Staff at Copthorne Newcastle are know for their warm friendly welcome and excellent service.
The Lowry Hotel – North West Tourist Board www.roccofortehotels.com
Found in the heart of Manchester on Chapel Wharf, the new Lowry Hotel is situated for easy access to the railway station, airport and main shopping district within Manchester. In addition to being the city’s only Five Star hotel, it is also the first hotel in Manchester to become a member of the Leading Hotels of the World.
Budock Vean – South West Tourism www.budockvean.co.uk
Owned and personally managed by the Barlow Family, supported by an excellent team of staff, Budock Vean won Cornwall's Best Hotel Award in both 2002 and 2003. Set in 65 acres of award-winning grounds leading down to the Helford River, leisure facilities include a 9 hole golf course, private foreshore with Sunseeker for guest trips, a large indoor swimming pool with log fire, two all-weather tennis courts and a Natural Health Spa. Over 58% of Guests are repeat/recommended. In the past 10 years in excess of £2.5 million has been spent on refurbishing the hotel. The hotel's policy is to support and promote Corwall and its focus is on local suppliers.
Ashdown Park Hotel – Tourism South East www.ashdownpark.com
The Ashdown Park Hotel is set within 187 acres of immaculately landscaped grounds. Facilities include a golf course and state-of-the-art health and fitness suite. The management’s dedication to customers’ needs has resulted in an increase in repeat business from 28% to 38% during the past year.
De Vere Oulton Hall Hotel – Yorkshire Tourist Board www.devereonline.co.uk
Now in its 10th year in operation, the De Vere Oulton Hall is very keen to protect the standing of Yorkshire’s only 5 Star hotel. The hotel has recently undergone a £1.6 million investment, upgrading and refurbishing all bedrooms. A commitment to excellence is the key objective sprinkled with plenty of innovation and outstanding customer service.
