The AA announces the winners of the 2008 B&B awards

Jun 06, 08 | 1:57 am

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The AA this year will celebrate one hundred years of quality and service in the hospitality industry and today will announce the winners of The AA B&B Awards 2008 at a ceremony being held at The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park hotel, London.

With prizes provided by AA Hotel Services' long-standing partner Villeroy & Boch, The AA B&B Awards recognise and reward the excellent services provided by the UK's very best B&B establishments.

Winners of The AA B&B Awards 2008 are:

• AA Friendliest Landlady of the Year - Margaret Frost of Diggins Farm, Essex

• AA Funkiest B&B - The Enchanted Manor, Isle of Wight

• AA London B&B of the Year - San Domenico House, London

• AA Guest Accommodation of the Year, England - The Stables Lodge, Tyne & Wear

• AA Guest Accommodation of the Year, Scotland - Fauhope House, Melrose

• AA Guest Accommodation of the Year, Wales - Tan-Y-Foel Country House, Nr Betws y Coed

The winner for AA Friendliest Landlady of the year award, judged by the AA's expert panel of inspectors and selected from a shortlist of 20 establishments is Margaret Frost of Diggins Farm, Chipping Ongar, Essex. 

Margaret Frost has been welcoming guests at her home for eight years. The house is a 16th century, grade II listed, oak beamed farmhouse in peaceful countryside overlooking the Roding valley.

Genuine warmth and friendliness is the essence of this home from home. Margaret always goes the extra mile for her guests, from welcoming guests with tea and homemade cakes to offering a complimentary taxi service to Stansted airport or local pubs to gifting guests with a teddy bear if they stay for two nights or more.

The AA Funkiest B&B for 2008, selected by an independent judge, is The Enchanted Manor, Isle of Wight.

This lovingly restored old manor house has been converted into magical boutique retreat by its tireless owners Ric and Maggie.

Owners Ric and Maggie have ensured that the ‘enchanted' theme runs throughout the B&B, from ornately carved four poster beds in each suite, to fantastical local artwork that adorns the house, to the garden and surrounding woodlands which have been landscaped to create enchanting individual areas adorned with local wooden sculptures and native wild flowers. 

Artfully decorated rooms and suites successfully combine the fairytale theme with luxurious old world character. Enticingly named with promises such as Dreamtime, Serenity and Candlelight, each suite features a hand-carved four-poster bed and free-standing slipper bath.

A visiting AA inspector said that there were "...many highlights, not least the warm and genuine hospitality of my dedicated hosts. This unique property is true to its name and has an enchanted feel that makes a stay here truly memorable."

New for 2008 is the London B&B of the Year 2008 Award, sponsored by the London Development Agency. The first winner of this new award is San Domenico House, Chelsea.

San Domenico House opened as a B&B more than ten years ago. Mrs. Melpignano, owner of San Domenico House, comments that she aims to give her guests "a comfortable and memorable stay with impeccable service." 

Newly extended and redesigned, this B&B boasts 16 luxury bedrooms and suites, which offer privacy and comfort to guests wishing to relax.  Each individually themed room has an en suite marble bathroom and is decorated with rich warm fabrics and dramatic furnishings.

The winner of the AA Guest Accommodation of the Year, England (sponsored by Coors Brewers Ltd) is The Stables Lodge. The Stables Lodge is located in a semi rural setting on the outskirts of the city of Newcastle.

The Stables was converted by its current owner Janet MacPherson, who with an interior design background has used a ‘Hunting Lodge' theme based around warm mellow colours, colourful tartans which create an environment that is bold and contemporary with an emphasis on relaxation and casual luxury. From the chocolate gifts to the towelling robes and guest slippers accompanied by a selection of Molton Brown toiletries, The Stables strives to bring a touch of indulgence to each guest.

Janet MacPherson comments "This has been the ideal opportunity for me to use my creative experience to realise the dream and truly mix business with pleasure - I can highly recommend it."

The winner of the AA Guest Accommodation of the Year, Scotland is Fauhope House, Melrose.

Nestled in extensive grounds on the wooded hillside outside of Melrose in the Scottish Borders, Fauhope House built in 1897 is luxury accommodation that feels like a home.

Sheila Robson, Fauhope's proud owner, worked tirelessly to launch this guest house in 1998 to provide luxury guest accommodation of a 5 star quality.

Guests are made to feel cosseted from the moment they enter Fauhope House, with its lavish floral displays, subtle lighting and stylish décor all contributing to an ambience that is at once welcoming and luxurious. In the rooms themselves, the attention to detail is unrivalled, from the quality of the bedlinen to the great beds, smart toiletries to French magazines - everything is provided with individuality, quality and the client experience in mind.

The winner of the AA Guest Accommodation of the Year, Wales is Tan-Y-Foel Country House, Nr Betws y Coed

Mr and Mrs Pitman have created six elegantly decorated bedrooms, all of which have spectacular views over the Snowdonia Mountain range. They have recently completed the latest addition, which is the ‘Old Hayloft', a luxury junior suite.

Tan-Y-Foel is run entirely by Peter and Janet Pitman and their daughter Mrs Kelly Jeeves, which Mrs Pitman comments "enables us to maintain a consistent high standard that has resulted in a good repeat and recommendation business and allowed us to enjoy the fruits of our labour"

www.AAHospitalityAwards.com

About the AA B&B awards

The AA B&B Awards is a branch of the AA's well-established Hospitality Awards, which cover the finest of all AA-inspected and rated hotels, restaurants, guesthouses and B&Bs. These accolades are presented in recognition of all-round excellence, unfailing standards and outstanding service, as well as acknowledging the vital role played by those individuals who work to maintain the highest of standards within the industry. The AA 2008 Centenary Awards will take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 2 September 2008.

AA Publishing produces a series of lifestyle guides, covering every aspect for planning leisure pursuits - from hotels, pubs, B&B's and restaurants, to days out, golfing, caravanning and camping, or family and pet friendly accommodation - the guides feature over 14,000 inspected, selected and recommended establishments; offering the UK traveller an unparalleled choice of places to stay, eat, drink or play a round of golf in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Channel Islands.

The Bed & Breakfast Guide is the only guide covering the whole of the UK and Ireland and featuring more than 4,500 independently inspected establishments.  The B&B Guide includes features on the winners of the annual B&B Awards and highlights the very best breakfasts and evening meals.