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An award-winning hotel in Scotland has said it is “walking away” from its Michelin-star status as rating was said to have put an “enormous stress” on business.
The Boath House in Auldearn has held the rating for 10 years, but owners Don and Wendy Matheson say its guests want a more “relaxed and informal” experience.
It also said the expectations of the achievement put the hotel’s restaurant “at odds with achievable profit margins” and claimed it was discouraging customers.
Mrs Matheson told The Herald: “Whilst we are extremely proud of the Michelin star we gained 10 years ago and it undoubtedly enhanced our reputation, our restaurant has consistently made a loss.
“We believe that the expectations from Michelin are at odds with achievable profit margins and put an enormous stress on a small family-run business like ours.”
The couple insisted that they were holding “no malice” against the rating.
The 19th Century Georgian mansion hotel has held four AA stars since 2006 and was awarded with a Michelin star in 2009.
