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Scotlands Hotel of the Year is a classApart
Edinburghs Chester Residence takeshospitality crown
The rising popularity of aparthotels has seen one beat
conventionalestablishments for the first time by being named the
top hotel in Scotland.
The Chester Residence, a collection of five-star Georgian
townhouses inEdinburghs West End, took the top prize at tonights
(Sundays) ScottishHotel Awards, attended by a record 500 guests at
a gala dinner in Glasgow.
Owned by Wood Group Chairman Sir Ian Woods son Graham
(picturedholding the trophy with the Chester Residence team at the
Awards), its 23homes have their own front door and kitchen as well
as central hotel
facilities. Dining options include booking a chef or a
mixologist to preparecocktails.
Guest feedback was rich with detail of how staff service led the
way at theChester Residence and this was mirrored in feedback from
our reviewers,said Gary McLean Quin, Chairman of the awards
judges.
Over several years the judging team has also watched the hotels
progress
in the quality and detail of the outstanding bedrooms, suites
and public areas.It is emphatically a style of hotel that has seen
its market mature and becomemore popular. People like the
additional space and privacy while, at theChester Residence, there
are public areas, an innovative bar and foodoperation, supported by
a level of service that has patently delighted guests.
He added: Its owners and manager Rory MacAleece have created a
superbmodern city hotel of high quality, fashionable and yet
practical, with detaileddesign and service independently acclaimed
over several years by guestsincluding visitors to Scotland.
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The other shortlisted finalists were the Sheraton Grand in
Edinburgh, CitizenMand Grand Central hotels in Glasgow, the
Malmaison in Aberdeen, MeldrumHouse in Aberdeenshire, Greywalls at
Gullane in East Lothian and HotelMissoni in Edinburgh.
There was another family success for Sir Ian Wood, head of the
ship repairand marine engineering company and major donor to the
projected UnionTerrace Gardens development in Aberdeen: the Kyloe
Grill at the RutlandHotel in Edinburgh, owned by Grahams brother
Garreth (eds: spellingcorrect), was named Scotland most exciting
new hotel restaurant.
Laurie Nicol, General Manager of Glasgows Grand Central Hotel,
was namedManager of the Year. The Grand Central, opened in 2010
after a 20 millionrefurbishment, also won the Hotel Team of the
Year Award. The SeniorManager fellowship went to Mark Gallagher of
the Thistle Glasgow.
The Road Hole Grill at the Old Course Hotel, St Andrews, was
voted HotelRestaurant of the Year and Hotel Chef of the Year went
to 39-year-old JohnPaul McLachlan who opened his signature
restaurant at the 83 bedroomMacdonald Marine Hotel, North Berwick,
in 2011.
Hotels in the Highlands and Islands occupied five of the places
on theRomantic Hotel shortlist, with Ardanaiseig Hotel near
Taynuilt, Argyll, takingthe lead award. The turreted Alt na Craig,
which looks out over Oban Bay,was named Guest House of the Year
while nearby the design-led Ardtornaguest house won both the Bed
& Breakfast Design and Green awards.
The New Hotel of Award went to the Douglas Hotel at Brodick,
Arran, whoseowner Sean Henry flew in specially from his home in St
Petersburg, Russia,for the black tie event.
Hotelier of the Year was Steven McLeod, head of the Aurora group
whichrecently added Cairn Lodge, Auchterarder, to its collection.
Auroras otherproperties include Airth Castle near Falkirk, Kenmore
Castle and Lodges onthe River Tay, and Glenbervie House at
Larbert.
Hotel Management Group of the Year was Inverlochy Castle
ManagementInternational (ICMI). Judges praised its continuing
remarkable growth with
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three properties added to its portfolio in the past year:
Alladale WildernessLodge in Sutherland in the northern Highlands,
the Atholl Hotel in Edinburghwhere an outsize suite costs from
1,500 a night, and the RocpoolApartments in the capital. The Atholl
took the Luxury Hotel title.
ICMIs Chief Executive, Norbert Lieder, was given the highest
individualhonour - the Awards Fellowship.
The scheme, now in its ninth year, is by far the most
comprehensive inoperation in Scotland and includes thousands of
guest feedback nominations,peer reviews by over 40 industry
experts, and full-stay judging and interviewvisits.
Gary McLean Quin commented: These awards have a unique
approach:each single hotel, guest house and serviced apartment
provider is looked atindividually and in depth in order that our
team can encourage, motivate andreward excellence. We often work
with businesses to develop improvements.
Hotels are, in turn, also carefully and expertly compared on a
national level tocreate a specific, accurate guide for guests.
Other Awards included:
Conference Hotel of the Year - The Beardmore, Clydebank
Business Hotel of the Year - Hilton Garden Inn, Glasgow
International Resort Hotel - Gleneagles, Perthshire
Brand Hotel - Holiday Inn, Aberdeen West
Reception Team - Hilton Garden Inn, Aberdeen
Housekeeper - Louise Doig, George Hotel, Edinburgh
Wedding Hotel - Balbirnie House, Markinch
Spa - One Spa at the Sheraton Grand, Edinbrugh
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ENDS
MEDIA QUERIES TO SCOTT OR JULIA AT HOTEL PR. TEL. 0141-5524800
or 07867-510451
