Full marks for the Maids

Congratulations to the team at Maids Head Hotel in Norwich, whose hard work and warm welcome there helped it to win top spot at the East of England Tourism Awards 21-22.

Their property headed a prestigious list in the large hotel category sponsored by Ensors chartered accountants, with Ufford Park in Ipswich and Salthouse Harbour Hotel at Woodbridge, Suffolk, highly commended. The judges said: “It was clear that The Maids Head Hotel is doing what they can as an historic building. We felt very welcomed to the hotel. Staff were warm and friendly throughout our stay.”

The independent Maids Head Hotel is one of those with a good claim to being the oldest hotel in the UK. It sits on the site of the first Norman Bishop of Norwich’s palace, so has been used for hospitality since the 1090s. Today the oldest ‘above ground’ parts date back to the 15th century and have undergone careful and sympathetic restoration to keep 21st century guests happy. There was also good news in the same awards for The Hog at Lowestoft, winner of the section for small hotels, sponsored by John Doe Carpets & Furniture. The family-run boutique hotel operates from a fully refurbished former farmhouse. The Assembly House in Norwich and The Crown at Stoke-by-Nayland, Suffolk were highly commended in this category.

The North East Tourism Awards took place during English Tourism Week and saw Hotel Indigo in Durham take top spot for Large Hotel of the Year. Runner up was Maldron Hotel and fellow Newcastle property INNSiDE by Melia took bronze, with Ramside Hall Hotel highly commended. Seaham Hall was named Small Hotel of the Year, with Langley Castle Hotel receiving silver and High Force Hotel the bronze spot.

This year’s BH Area Hospitality Recognition Awards – celebrating the best offerings in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole – have been launched and we hope to hear that the efforts of housekeeping teams during the staycation boom there help their hotels to pick up accolades in awards supported by Bournemouth Coastal Bid with Yellow Buses and Savills as main sponsors.

These awards are only in their second year and very much recognise the work of hospitality staff. The 24 categories include one for housekeeping, sponsored by Comax UK and kitchen porter, sponsored by Clean Linen Services Ltd. Nominations are now open at bhhospitalityassociation.co.uk, with the awards ceremony set to take place on 2 October.