The AA has announced the winners of the six categories at the annual AA Bed and Breakfast Awards ceremony held at the Royal Horseguards Hotel in London, including the new title of Friendliest Bed and Breakfast of the Year.
The AA has been inspecting and rating accommodation for 100 years this year and for almost two decades now it has also been celebrating the country?s best guest accommodation with the AA Bed and Breakfast Awards.?? The awards, presented at the annual ceremony, include guest accommodation for England, Wales, Scotland and London as well as the award for Funkiest Bed and Breakfast.? To mark the centenary and to reflect the more modern image of a British B&B, the AA has changed the main award title.? Previously known as the Friendliest Landlady of the Year Award, this year will see the inaugural AA Friendliest Bed and Breakfast of the Year Award.
Simon Numphud, AA Hotel Services Manager, said, ?The AA Bed and Breakfast Awards are a key opportunity for us to recognise the dedication and hard work of our BandB owners across the country.? In a year such as this with so many patriotic events taking place the Great British BandB is a true national treasure.?
The winners of the AA Bed and Breakfast Awards 2012 are:
AA Friendliest Bed and Breakfast of the Year sponsored by eviivo
Rains Farm, Allerston, North Yorkshire
Rains Farm Bed and Breakfast, run by Lorraine Allanson, was selected from 25 finalists who had all been nominated by the AA?s team of Hotel Inspectors who inspect and rate over 3,000 Bed and Breakfast establishments.
Lorraine, has lived at Rains Farm all her life and now welcomes guests, with help from her mother, to either her comfortable Bed and Breakfast rooms or self-catering cottages.? With enviable views of the Yorkshire countryside, guests at Rains Farm can relax and unwind while receiving the attention to detail and local knowledge provided by Lorraine.
Over the years Lorraine has frequently gone the extra mile ? quite literally in some occasions such as driving Australian visitors round the sights of Heartbeat, their favourite TV programme.? Lorraine believes that the warm Yorkshire welcome, her locally sourced breakfast produce and wonderful home cooked bread keeps guests coming back again and again.
Speaking of her win, Lorraine said, ?I always believe that the best memories for guests are the ones imprinted by their host, and then the accommodation.? Many guests give me a friendly cuddle as they leave and that is when I know I have succeeded in my quest and they have truly enjoyed their stay.? Winning an award like this makes all the hard work so worthwhile and I am so proud to be able to say we are the Friendliest Bed and Breakfast.?
AA Funkiest Bed and Breakfast of the Year
Dragonfly, Chester
Dragonfly, in the heart of Chester, blends contemporary interiors with the original Georigan features of the building displaying modern art and vintage pieces throughout.? The high quality chic rooms are individually designed with a modern fresh minimalist look featuring design classic furniture pieces.? The distinct style, service and attention to detail provide a unique and memorable experience for guests.
Dragonfly owners Kelvin Elliot and Lucie Shipp commented on their win, ?It is a great honour to receive this award.? It is our mission to offer excellence in every aspect that our guests experience, providing all of our guests with a true boutique hotel experience.?
AA Guest Accommodation of the Year for England
East House, Broadway
East House, in the High Street in Broadway, is run by Lauren O?Hara.? East house is a beautiful 18th Century luxuriously furnished, period property in the heart of Broadway.? Lauren has been welcoming guests to East House for almost three years having previously worked in the City.? Guests comment that attention to detail is second to none which is probably why they arrive as guests and leave as friends.
AA Guest Accommodation of the Year for Wales
Crug-Glas Country House, Solva, Pembrokeshire
Crug-Glas is run by Janet and Perkin Evans, who both have a family connection to the house.? Janet?s mother was brought up at Crug-Glas, moving out when she was 13 when Perkin?s family moved in.? Coincidentally Janet and Perkin then met and married and Crug-Glas became their family home.? When their children started leaving home Janet and Perkin opened their home to guests and have been welcoming visitors to Crug-Glas for over a decade.
Situated in 600 acres of farmland near the Pembrokeshire coastline, Crug-Glas offers guests a relaxed atmosphere in tranquil surroundings.? Each room is luxuriously individual and locally sourced produce creates delights at both breakfast and dinner.
AA Guest Accommodation of the Year for Scotland
Arden Country House, Linlithgow
Run by Beth Cruickshank, Arden Country House is set in the grounds of Belsyde House and Farm in Linlithgow.? The rural, farmland setting provides an idyllic country retreat where guests can get away from it all.? Ideally located for visiting Edinburgh and Glasgow and the surrounding areas guests at Arden Country House can be sure of a warm welcome and beautifully presented, freshly made food.
AA Guest Accommodation of the Year for London
Marble Arch by Montcalm
A little slice of elegance, ideally located at the top of Park Lane, the Marble Arch by Montcalm is a tranquil retreat in the midst of London?s vibrant buzz.? The five star boutique accommodation offers a serene tranquillity ensconced in a wonderful ambience of modern comfort.