Exclusive Collection properties awarded nine AA Rosettes

UK hotel group Exclusive Collection has announced it has been awarded nine AA Rosettes in total for two of its restaurants. The Latymer has been awarded five AA Rosettes, while The Pass has received four AA Rosettes. The hotel group also announced that the South Lodge received further recognition after being named Spa Hotel of the Year 2023. The 44,000 sq. ft spa offers guests a gym and spin studio, an indoor pool, outdoor hydrotherapy and wild swimming pool, alongside an extensive menu of treatments. The AA has been awarding Rosettes since 1956, an accolade awarded to the most “outstanding” restaurants that achieve standards that demand recognition well beyond their local area. The AA remains one of the most respected and comprehensive guides in the UK. Located at Surrey’s Pennyhill Park, Latymer is a fine dining restaurant serving a choice of inventive menus designed by head chef Steve Smith. Awarded its first Michelin star in 2021, Latymer is just one of two new restaurants to be awarded with this prestigious recognition in 2023 and one of 18 UK restaurants overall. The restaurant serves modern British dishes, made with seasonal ingredients. The Pass reopened in 2022, and features an intimate 28-cover restaurant at South Lodge in Sussex, led by head chef Ben Wilkinson. The Pass received its first Michelin-star this year and is just one of six to have been awarded four AA Rosettes for its selection and treatment of the “highest” quality ingredients and “excellent” flavour combinations. Exclusive Collection is the first B Corp accredited, family-owned collection of country house hotels, spas, golf, cookery school, and a pub. The group was founded in 1981 and includes Fanhams Hall, Lainston House with Season Cookery School, The Manor House with golf club and The Castle Inn, Pennyhill Park with spa, Royal Berkshire, South Lodge with spa. Additionally, the group recently brought Ansty Hall into the fold and are planning to expand in the Midlands from mid 2024. Smith, head chef at The Latymer, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this amazing recognition. It’s always fabulous for the team to be rewarded for their hard work and dedication. As always, we will continue to improve and develop what we do to improve our product.” Wilkinson, head chef at The Pass, added: “We are very grateful to the AA for recognising The Pass as a 4-Rosette restaurant. The whole team has been working hard to raise the standard since we opened last year, and this is exactly the sort of recognition they deserve for their efforts. I am very grateful for their commitment and want them to know that the hard work is really appreciated by me, Monika and the Exclusive team, and more importantly, by our guests.”