Best Hotel Award
2010 Large Hotel Winner
Blakeney Hotel
2010 Small Hotel Winner
Titchwell Manor Hotel
This year's criteria:
This award is split into Large Hotel of the Year (over 35 bedrooms) and Small Hotel of the Year (less than 50 bedrooms)
Judges will be looking for owners/managers commitment to excellence including investment to improve facilities and customer care standards.
Accommodation should be the highest level of quality and operators should be able to demonstrate a commitment to maintaining this through on-going investment.
Customer care should be paramount and the judges would expect to see appropriate training being undertaken (e.g. Welcome Host) in order to achieve excellent first impressions, a friendly welcome and exceptional pursuit of meeting guests needs. It would be expected that comprehensive visitor information be provided, and the use of personal recommendation, to increase the enjoyment of guests' stay. Evidence of standards being achieved would be demonstrated through guest comments and letters.
Meals should be of a high quality and prepared with high levels of skill and flair. Judges would expect to see the use of fresh, seasonal, local or homemade produce and quite possibly the inclusion of regional or local specialities. Table service should be attentive and efficient.
Investment in staff training and development is important and the judges would expect to see staff having undergone recognised training programmes. The practical benefits of this should be visible through improved guest services.
Innovative marketing practices are encouraged and the judges will be keen to see initiatives, collaborations and new ideas that have brought new or repeat business and which ideally has extended the season. Evidence and examples should be included.
Investment requires a business to have the ability to reconcile the need/desire for enhancement with a workable business plan. The judges will be looking at developments that may have taken place over the last few years and seeing how they may have enhanced the business. They will also be keen to learn of future plans, any initiatives on funding these in the current economic climate, and how, ultimately, they will impact on the sustainability/growth of the business going forward.
Establishments should demonstrate a commitment to catering for guests with disabilities. Judges will look at how facilities cater for people with mobility or sensory impairments, what information is provided and in what format. Hotels will be expected to have taken reasonable steps towards meeting the DDA and have an Access Statement.
Operators must demonstrate an awareness of their environment. Judges will be looking for examples of activities which might include the use of sustainable materials, energy saving initiatives, waste reduction, support of the local economy/community and methods of minimising impact on the environment.
2009 Large Hotel winner
Potters Leisure Resort, Hopton
2009 Small Hotel winner
St Giles House Hotel, Norwich
2010 Large Hotel WinnerBlakeney Hotel
2010 Small Hotel WinnerTitchwell Manor Hotel
This year's criteria:
This award is split into Large Hotel of the Year (over 35 bedrooms) and Small Hotel of the Year (less than 50 bedrooms)
Judges will be looking for owners/managers commitment to excellence including investment to improve facilities and customer care standards.
Accommodation should be the highest level of quality and operators should be able to demonstrate a commitment to maintaining this through on-going investment.
Customer care should be paramount and the judges would expect to see appropriate training being undertaken (e.g. Welcome Host) in order to achieve excellent first impressions, a friendly welcome and exceptional pursuit of meeting guests needs. It would be expected that comprehensive visitor information be provided, and the use of personal recommendation, to increase the enjoyment of guests' stay. Evidence of standards being achieved would be demonstrated through guest comments and letters.
Meals should be of a high quality and prepared with high levels of skill and flair. Judges would expect to see the use of fresh, seasonal, local or homemade produce and quite possibly the inclusion of regional or local specialities. Table service should be attentive and efficient.
Investment in staff training and development is important and the judges would expect to see staff having undergone recognised training programmes. The practical benefits of this should be visible through improved guest services.
Innovative marketing practices are encouraged and the judges will be keen to see initiatives, collaborations and new ideas that have brought new or repeat business and which ideally has extended the season. Evidence and examples should be included.
Investment requires a business to have the ability to reconcile the need/desire for enhancement with a workable business plan. The judges will be looking at developments that may have taken place over the last few years and seeing how they may have enhanced the business. They will also be keen to learn of future plans, any initiatives on funding these in the current economic climate, and how, ultimately, they will impact on the sustainability/growth of the business going forward.
Establishments should demonstrate a commitment to catering for guests with disabilities. Judges will look at how facilities cater for people with mobility or sensory impairments, what information is provided and in what format. Hotels will be expected to have taken reasonable steps towards meeting the DDA and have an Access Statement.
Operators must demonstrate an awareness of their environment. Judges will be looking for examples of activities which might include the use of sustainable materials, energy saving initiatives, waste reduction, support of the local economy/community and methods of minimising impact on the environment.
2009 Large Hotel winner
Potters Leisure Resort, Hopton
2009 Small Hotel winner
St Giles House Hotel, Norwich
