Irish hotels took two of the top three prizes in the first consumer awards run by online accommodation specialist HotelClub.co.uk.
Ten thousand people voted for the best hotels in Great Britain and Ireland, nominating more than 22,000 of their favourite properties.
All winning hotels are guaranteed a place in the ‘Great Britain & Ireland’s Best Hotels’ guidebook to be published by Insight Guides in early 2008.
The Gresham in Dublin and Radisson SAS Hotel & Spa in Galway both won awards in the Three Best Hotels in Great Britain and Ireland category.
Ireland also took home two niche category trophies with Kelly’s Resort Hotel & Spa in Rosslare winning Best Family Hotel and Culloden Estate and Spa in Belfast taking home Best Business Hotel.
In London, The Dorchester, The Ritz and Hilton London Metropole Hotel were all honoured as was Claridge’s which won the award for Best Service.
Other winners included The Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder, awarded the title of Best Country House and Hilton won Best Chain, with the most nominations for its hotels overall.
England took the category of Best Destination, with British Airways being selected as the UK and Ireland’s favourite airline.
HotelClub UK and Ireland manager Igor Jovicic said: “These results show London is as popular as ever with our customers looking for a city break experience. Competition is strong and hotels are meeting and exceeding expectations.
“The strong showing for Ireland demonstrates people are holidaying closer to home. It’s now fashionable to travel in your own backyard and more people are discovering just how much Ireland has to offer.”
Winners in the HotelClub Hotel Awards 2007:
Three best hotels in Great Britain and Ireland
· The Dorchester – London, England
· The Gresham – Dublin, Ireland
· Radisson SAS Hotel & Spa – Galway, Ireland
Three best hotels in England
· The Dorchester – London
· The Ritz – London
· Hilton London Metropole Hotel – London
Three best hotels in Scotland
· The Balmoral – Edinburgh
· The Gleneagles Hotel – Auchterarder
· Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa – Edinburgh
Three best hotels in Wales
· The Celtic Manor Resort – Newport
· Hilton Cardiff Hotel – Cardiff
· St David’s Hotel & Spa – Cardiff
Three best hotels in Northern Ireland
· Culloden Estate & Spa – Belfast
· Europa Hotel – Belfast
· Slieve Dornard Resort & Spa – Newcastle
Three best hotels in Ireland
· The Gresham – Dublin, Ireland
· Radisson SAS Hotel & Spa – Galway, Ireland
· The Slieve Russel Hotel – Cavan
Best Hotel in the Channel Islands
· Pomme d’Or – Jersey
Best Business Hotel
· Culloden Estate & Spa – Belfast
Best Family Hotel
· Kelly’s Resort Hotel & Spa – Rosslare
Best Service
· Claridge’s – London
Best Country House Hotel
· The Gleneagles Hotel – Auchterarder
Best Hotel Chain
· Hilton
Favourite Destination
· England
Favourite Airline
· British Airways
by Phil Davies
