All go as Kilchrenan hotel wins top award

TOP Scottish country house hotel Ardanaiseig in Kilchrenan, Argyll has received an award for outstanding service from leading price comparison Website gohotels.com.

The site lists best value deals for more than 200,000 hotels in 120,000 destinations worldwide.

Its awards are presented to establishments which consistently achieve high customer review ratings in the categories of cleanliness, facilities, location, rooms and service.

Ardanaiseig, on the banks of Loch Awe near Taynuilt, was named as the best country house and most romantic hotel in Scotland by the editors of the 2017 UK Good Hotel Guide. It was voted Scotland’s top country house hotel in 2015 and is renowned as a premier wedding venue.

General Manager Bronwyn Smith said: ‘We’re proud to have been recognised again for our outstanding service. Our staff constantly pull out all the stops to provide a truly warm Highland welcome to complement great value packages for luxury stays amid spectacular scenery.’

Meanwhile, Mull’s Ninth Wave restaurant at Bruach Mhor, Fionnphort, is one of five finalist for the 2017 Seafood Restaurant of the Year.

The award, presented by Seafish and The Caterer, is designed to find the best restaurants cooking and serving delicious seafood dishes and the top five were chosen after mystery dining visits and a further group judging session.

This year’s judging panel included Alex Aitken, chef-patron of the Jetty Restaurant in Christchurch and winner of the 2016 title; Derek Marshall, chef-owner of Gamba in Glasgow and winner of the 2015 title; Calum Richardson, owner of the Bay Fish and Chips in Stonehaven; and Giovanna Grossi, AA advisor and ambassador. José Souto, chef-lecturer at Westminster College London; and Catey winner Paul Hurren, managing director of Lusso Catering, also joined the panel.

The final five demonstrate great service, fish and shellfish species knowledge and are seen as ambassadors to other restaurants in the UK which have an ambition to sell more fish and shellfish on their menus.

Andy Gray, trade marketing manager for Seafish, said: ‘The Seafood Restaurant of the Year competition provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase the wide range of restaurants, pubs and cafés that are excelling in providing customers with top quality fish and shellfish dining experiences.’

The overall UK winner of the 2017 competition will be announced in October.