The first AA Hospitality Awards to be held in person for three years took place at Grosvenor House in London on 26th September 2022.
The ceremony, hosted by TV presenter Gabby Logan, rewarded the best in hospitality across the UK in 26 categories. Awards were separated into five regional categories – England, Wales, London, Scotland, and Northern Ireland with the highest profile prizes being Restaurant of the Year and Hotel of the Year. In England, these were won by Socius, Burnham Market in Norfolk and Grantley Hall, Ripon in North Yorkshire, respectively.
South West businesses recognised in this year’s awards included Lime Wood, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, England for AA Spa Hotel of the Year. Judges said: “Lime Wood’s Herb House Spa is a superb, perfectly designed spa with a wonderful relaxed and calm feel. Inspired by its forest surroundings in the heart of the New Forest, its signature spectacular Sauna and indoor Hydro pool have superb forest views.
“Designed over three levels, it features a 16-metre ozone-treated indoor lap pool with glass doors overlooking the garden, a Mud House, a steaming outdoor hot pool, eight spacious single treatment rooms and two magnificent double treatment rooms.”
The Pig Group won AA Hotel Group of the Year and was praised as “This litter of brilliant hotels have successfully and carefully expanded over the last few years to create a truly impressive group. All the Pigs have achieved AA Red Stars and deliver excellence in all aspects of hotel keeping”.
“Each Pig has its own unique identity and puts the kitchen garden at the very heart of the operation. Each hotel uses local food and beverage suppliers in line with their 25-mile menu ethos – reducing food miles and packaging.”
New hotels achieving AA Red Stars included Homewood, Bath, and Bowood Hotel, Golf & Spa, Calne in Wiltshire with four Red Stars each.
Winning rosettes for culinary excellence in the South West were The Dining Room at Whatley Manor, Malmesbury, Wiltshire with four. While winning three rosettes were The Sea Cliff Restaurant at Sandy Cove Hotel in Ilfracombe, Devon, The Dower House Restaurant at the Royal Crescent Hotel, Bath<, and New Yard Restaurant, Helston, Cornwall.
The AA Chef’s Chef was Mark Birchall, Chef Patron at Moor Hall, Aughton, Lancashire. Judges said: “Since opening five years ago, Mark Birchall has established Moor Hall as one of the UK’s best restaurants, achieving five AA Rosettes, and an additional three AA Rosettes for the Barn. Mark has created a true international foodie destination here, and his cooking offers a very modern take on British flavours, where the natural freshness of the produce is paramount.”
For more information about the awards visit aahospitalityawards.com.
