Nine small hotels have been voted the best in England and will go through to the Excellence in England Tourism Awards 2004, in association with Enjoy England*. The winner of the Small Hotel of the Year category (under 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 Small 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 into force in October 2004.
The Small Hotel of the Year national finalists are:
Miller Howe Hotel – Cumbria Tourist Board www.millerhowe.com
An elegant Edwardian hotel with matchless views across Windermere and a welcoming country house ambience. The famed restaurant, delightful rooms and exquisite service ensure every stay is special.
The Swan Hotel – East of England Tourist Board www.adnams.co.uk
A sophisticated, spacious and stylish seaside hotel situated on the Suffolk heritage coast. A delightful location, relaxing ambiance, delicious food and good wine list. The Swan enjoys a renowned reputation for entertainment: recent events include the Opera Babes, Medici String Quartet, and a Literary Festival in addition to regular wine tasting dinners.
The Moat House Hotel – Visit Heart of England www.moathouse.co.uk
The Moat House at Acton Trussell is a 15th Century moated manor house in a canal side setting in the heart of rural Staffordshire. It is a family-owned hotel with luxury rooms. Staff dedication and service are excellent. The Moat House has secured the ‘Two Ticks’ recognition for its hard work in making the hotel accessible to all.
Capital Hotel – Visit London www.capitalhotel.co.uk
The Capital, a unique townhouse hotel offers luxury accommodation and personal service in the heart of Knightsbridge. Created by its Scottish proprietor, David Levin, 32 years ago, it is, to this day, a family-run hotel. With 48 suites and rooms, every piece of furniture and work of art is handpicked or commissioned by the Levin family. The renowned Capital Restaurant holds two Michelin stars.
Seaham Hall – Northumbria Tourist Board www.seaham-hall.com
An historic hotel and spa that has been restored following a multi- million pound investment. The hotel was in a state of disrepair before it underwent major restoration and opened in March 2001. Set in 37 acres overlooking the rugged North Sea, the hotel has 19 luxury bedrooms, all with huge beds, a pillow menu, baths for two and limestone fireplaces. Preset lighting moods, high-speed Internet access and a digital CD library are just some of the innovative touches. The Serenity Spa opened in December 2002 and offers a complete pampering experience including over eighty treatments. The two buildings are connected by a beautiful underground walkway.
Manor House Hotel – North West Tourist Board www.ribbyhall.co.uk
Ribby Hall Village's Manor House Hotel is located within 100 acres of landscaped grounds and picturesque countryside in Wrea Green, Lancashire. Comprising 29 luxury suites, and overlooking an ornamental lake and impressive 50ft fountain, views from the hotel's balconies are magnificent. Guests can take advantage of numerous indoor and outdoor sport and leisure facilities; health hair and beauty treatments; business and banqueting venues; and entertainment 365 days a year.
Sid Valley Country House Hotel – South West Tourism www.sidvalleyhotel.co.uk
Within seven acres of Outstanding Natural beauty Sid Valley Country House Hotel is one of those special places that is rarely found. How better to Discover Devon, than at the Sid Valley which provides a relaxed atmosphere, professional service and luxurious surroundings. Attentiveness, efficiency and hospitality provide an ideal retreat, with Four Poster suites or Luxury self-catering cottages. Food is home made with local produce and ever-popular home baked bread!
South Lodge Hotel – Tourism South East www.exclusivehotels.co.uk
South Lodge Hotel in West Sussex is a beautiful Victorian country house set in 90 acres of gardens and overlooking the stunning South Downs from an elevated position. South Lodge Hotel offers excellent service throughout and attention to detail is impeccable. The rooms are individually decorated and the bathrooms are stunning, many with jacuzzi style or freestanding baths as well as rainbar showers, underfloor heating and mosaic floors. The hotel's award winning Camellia restaurant specialises in traditional English cuisine with a Mediterranean twist. Guests staying at South Lodge can spend their free time using the hotel's extensive range of leisure and sporting facilities including tennis, croquet, putting, snooker, clay shooting, archery and horse riding. The hotel also has a fitness centre and Mannings Heath Golf Club, one of the UK's finest, is only three miles away. South Lodge has recently opened a new state-of-the-art business centre which provides versatile conferencing and tailor-made events for between eight and 160 delegates
Swinton Park – Yorkshire Tourist Board www.swintonpark.com
Swinton Park opened as a 30 bedroom luxury castle hotel in March 2001, following extensive refurbishment. It is the ancestral home of the Cunliffe-Lister family and is set in 200 acres of parkland, lakes and gardens. The castle is surrounded by the family estate in which guests have access to rivers and countryside bordering the Yorkshire Dales National Park and there is a cookery school in the converted Georgian stables run by celebrity chef Rosemary Shrager. A combination of attention to detail, thorough staff training and lavish décor make this castle a great place to stay
