These are the winners of the UK’s ‘Oscars in Hospitality’.
The AA hosted a prestigious ceremony to present gongs at the Grosvenor House, London. It included categories such as ‘Hotel of the year’, Restaurant of the year’ and ’Chefs’ chef of the year’.
The AA’s Inspectors chose the winners of the 2022 Hospitality Awards. After spending the year dining and tasting their way around the UK, they tested out all the hotel rooms and restaurants. Here are their verdicts…
HOTELS
The AA named the 2022 winners of its Hospitality Awards, and Grantley Hall in North Yorkshire won the title of England’s Best Hotel of the Year.
This is the stunning winner of the England Hotel of the year award Grantley HallA 17-century house near Ripon, North Yorkshire that provides a “real sense luxury and exclusivity”.
‘Grantley Hall is a beautiful fusion of modern style and historic character’, said the visiting AA inspector. He also added that there are award-winning restaurants and a luxury gym, spa, and wellness center.
Pan Pacific LondonThe gong was awarded to London’s Hotel of the year for its 43-storey bronze tower. ‘Since opening in September last year, the hotel has hit the ground running… the overall level of hospitality and service has a wonderful humility and grace,’ the AA inspector who visited the property observed.
In the meantime, The Welsh Hotel of Year is Llanerch VineyardGlamorgan. It is the UK’s only hotel that has been built in a vineyard.
Pan Pacific London has been named London’s Hotel of the year. It is located in a 43-storey, bronze tower, in the City of London.
Llanerch Vineyard in Glamorgan (pictured) is the UK’s First Hotel to Be Located on a Vineyard. This award gives it the title of Wales’ Hotel of the year
Bedrooms and public areas have been ‘beautifully refurbished’ at The Balmoral in Edinburgh, which is Scotland’s Hotel of the Year
The gong for Northern Ireland’s Hotel of the Year goes to The Rabbit (above), a ‘destination hotel and spa experience’ in the village of Templepatrick
The Balmoral in Edinburgh is Scotland’s Hotel of the Year – the AA inspector that checked in was particularly taken by the landmark hotel’s recent renovation.
The inspector stated that the rooms and public areas were beautifully renovated to an extremely high standard. Balmoral tartan and Hebridean Blues as well as heather colors and traditional Scottish art have created a beautiful look and feel.
Finally, the Northern Ireland’s Hotel of the Year gong goes to The Rabbit in the village of Templepatrick, County Antrim. The establishment – a ‘destination hotel and spa experience’ – has been a ‘tremendous success’ since its opening last year.
RESTAURANTS
England’s Restaurant of the Year is Socius, pictured, in Norfolk. According to the AA, this theme is “very modern British tapas”.
Grab the award for England’s Restaurant of the year SociusThis is a “gem of place” in Burnham Market (Norfolk).
The AA noted that the menu is constantly changing and the dishes are meant to be shared; it’s a modern British theme with tapas.
London’s Restaurant Award of the Year Chez BruceWandsworth. “Chez Bruce” is a London institution that has been a fixture in the London restaurant scene since the mid-1990s. It is located in a row of shops, and has the charm of a neighborhood restaurant. The AA said Chez Bruce’s atmosphere is sophisticated and subtle, just like its food.
Chez Bruce, London’s Restaurant of the year in Wandsworth offers a scrumptious and elegant dining experience.
Newport’s Gem 42, an eatery with an ‘exuberant Mediterranean feel’, is Wales’ Restaurant of the Year
Gem 42 in Newport – where the ’emphasis is on Italian style and ingredients, combined with top-quality Welsh seasonal produce’ – bags the title of Wales’ Restaurant of the Year.
The inspector dispatched to inspect the restaurant said that the place has an “exuberant Mediterranean feeling”, with Botticelli-style ceilings, crisply dressed tables and Murano glass ornaments.
Scotland’s Restaurant Of The Year The CellarThe restaurant is located in an Anstruther, Fife’s former cooperage and smokehouse.
You will find a rustic atmosphere, as well as innovative Scottish food.
For those who like to go to bed straight after dinner, it is worth noting that the ceremony also honored Britain’s top restaurants and rooms.
Hetton’s AngelNorth Yorkshire has the best Restaurants with Rooms in England.
According to the AA, they described the 15th century ‘roadside Inn’ as: ‘The renovated interiors make the perfect backdrop for Michael Wignall’s culinary talent.
The Cellar in Scotland is the Restaurant of the Year. This restaurant can be found in an Anstruther, Fife’s former Smokehouse and Cooperage.
Above, you can see The Angel at Hetton, North Yorkshire. It is England’s best Restaurant with rooms.
The Bonnie Badger in East Lothian – a ‘high quality’ establishment – is Scotland’s leading Restaurant with Rooms. Pictured is the inn’s Deluxe Loft Room
Crug Glas is the best Restaurant with Rooms in Wales. It’s located in North Pembrokeshire. The ensuite bathroom is a golden-hued one in each of the guest bedrooms.
CrugglasNorth Pembrokeshire has the best Restaurants with Rooms in Wales. It boasts a number of cosy rooms and is ‘individual’ in design.
The Bonnie Badger in East Lothian, meanwhile – a ‘high quality’ establishment that was ‘rescued from near dereliction’ – is Scotland’s leading Restaurant with Rooms.
CHEF’S CHEF OF THE YEAR
The Chefs’ Chef of the Year award goes to Mark Birchall (above), Chef Patron at the five AA rosette-restaurant Moor Hall in Lancashire
All AA Rosette-awarded chefs have the opportunity to nominate their Chefs’ Champion of the Year.
Mark Birchall is the Chef Patron this year. Moor Hall in Aughton, Lancashire, which ‘under his patronage has been awarded five AA Rosettes’.
Chorley-born Chef, the Executive Chef at L’Enclume in Cartmel was previously a three Michelin-starred restaurant.
Simon Numphud (Managing Director at AA Media), commented on the win and said that he was delighted to present Mark Birchall the AA chef’s award at this year’s AA Hospitality Awards.
“We want to thank Mark for all his hard work over the past year and in his last 20 years.
Visit this page for more details about the winners. business.ratedtrips.com/awards/aa-awards-2022.