AA reveals hospitality awards shortlist for 2018

Ahead of the AA Hospitality Awards, the association today revealed the shortlists across four of the 23 categories: Housekeeper of the Year Award, Food Service Award, Eco Hotel of the Year and Customers’ Choice Award.

In the Customers’ Choice Award category, all three hotels are based in London with The Montcalm London, Marble Arch, Sofitel St James and The Arch all making the shortlist. Now in its second year, the award, which is sponsored by Review Pro, celebrates the hotel with the best guest reviews across 175 different online travel agencies and review sites in 45 languages.

Cumbria has recognised for its eco efforts with two hotels in the region. Appleby Manor Hotel and Garden Spa and Appleby-in-Westmorland and Cedar Manor Hotel, Windermere have made the shortlist for Eco Hotel of the Year, alongside Fairmount St Andrews in Fife.

The Housekeeper of the Year category sponsored by Sealy Beds, which recognises outstanding commitment and performance and identifies a housekeeper who goes above and beyond, has shortlisted Alison Richardson of The Black Swan Hotel in North Yorkshire, Ewa Bialonas from Hambleton Hall in Rutland, and Lukasz Smolarek of Edinburgh Park Premier Inn.

The Food Service shortlist, which rewards technical service skills and food and beverage knowledge of the highest standard, includes L’Enclume in Cumbria, Margot in London and Swinton Park in North Yorkshire.

The full shortlists revealed are:

Customers’ Choice Award

•          The Montcalm London, Marble Arch
•           Sofitel St James, London
•           The Arch, London

Housekeeper of the Year Award

•         Alison Richardson, The Black Swan Hotel, North Yorkshire
•         Ewa Bialonas, Hambleton Hall, Rutland
•         Lukasz Smolarek, Edinburgh Park Premier Inn, Edinburgh

Eco Hotel of the Year

•         Appleby Manor Hotel & Garden Spa, Cumbria
•         Cedar Manor Hotel, Cumbria
•         Fairmont St Andrews, Fife

Food Service Award

•         L’Enclume Restaurant, Cumbria
•         Margot Restaurant, London
•         Swinton Estate, North Yorkshire

The winners will be announced at the 21st annual AA Hospitality Awards on Monday 24 September 2018, at Grosvenor House in London. The awards will also honour the best hotels, restaurants and pubs across the UK, the Lifetime Achievement Award, Chef of the Year and many more. All other award categories do not issue a shortlist in advance.

Simon Numphud, managing director of AA Hotel and Hospitality Services, said: “This year’s shortlist demonstrates the strength and depth of hotels and restaurants in the UK that excel in areas that matter most to the guest; cleanliness, the environment, hospitality and service. They are all great properties and individuals and we wish them the best of luck on the 24 September.”