The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Recognition for hoteliers
HOTELIERS FROM across east and central Scotland have put big city rivals in the shade after dominating the winners’ podium at a major hospitality industry awards event in Edinburgh.
Venues from across the region picked up almost half the titles on offer at the Scottish Hotel Awards — bagging 13 of the 28 major gongs available.
But it was Wimbledon champion Andy Murray who made the headlines, with his Cromlix Hotel, at Kinbuck, near Dunblane, named Scottish hotel of the year and luxury hotel of the year just 27 days after opening is doors for the first time.
The refurbished 15-bed Victorian mansion includes a Chex Rouz restaurant, and is set in 34 acres of grounds which include an SW19-themed tennis court.
Awards chairman Gary McLean Quin said the hotel’s “superbly balanced” combination of investment, vision and experienced management made it one of Scotland’s leading lights.
“What impressed us, and specifically enabled this award, was the involvement of the award-winning management and individuals in every department — people of excellence we have known for a decade,” he said.
“The result is no less than a national treasure. We must also pay tribute to Andy’s mother Judy who has undoubtedly played a great part in this transformation.”
Cromlix management company Inverlochy Castle Management International was also among the winners, picking up the hotel management company award for the fifth year in a row.
But there were a host of other winners — with Perthshire a particularly strong favourite among the judges.
Knock Castle & Spa was named romantic hotel of the year, while Crieff Hydro won the family hotel award.
Pitlochry’s Fonab Castle picked up the rural hotel of the year gong, with the nearby Craigmhor Lodge and Courtyard named guest house of the year and The Old Mill topping the inn of the year category.
Cairn Lodge, in Auchterarder, won the boutique category, while Jody Marshall of Ballathie House, on the banks of the Tay at Kinclaven, was named hotel manager of the year.
Nicholas Russell, a longstanding director and co-proprietor of Balbirnie House in Markinch, received a fellowship award for his “outstanding contribution to Scotland’s hospitality industry”.
Dundee’s Double-Tree by Hilton was named branded hotel of the year, the city’s new Malmaison won city hotel of the year and The Parsonage, near Stirling, was named exclusive use venue of the year.