A FIVE-star hotel in Devon has been crowned the South West’s best after coming out on top at a major regional awards ceremony.
Bovey Castle has won the gold award for Large Hotel of the Year in South West Tourism Excellence Awards, with over 300 delegates attending the event in the Great Hall at the University of Exeter.
The hotel, which is part of the Eden Hotel Collection, fought off stiff competition from the regional finalists in Gloucestershire and Dorset to claim the top prize, with a £1.2m kitchen refurbishment, significant investment in employee development, a commitment to local produce and an unforgettable guest experience all contributing to the winning entry.
The award comes after Bovey also claimed gold in the Large Hotel category at the Devon Tourism Awards.
The ceremony capped a 12-month selection and judging process, with cafes, pubs, karting centres, schools and distilleries up for a total of 89 awards alongside attractions, camping and glamping sites, holiday parks, B&Bs and cottages.
As well as its 3AA Rosette Great Western Grill restaurant and 1AA Rosette Smith’s Brasserie, Bovey Castle has 60 bedrooms throughout the historic manor alongside 22 self-catering country lodges, as well as on-site activities from archery and golf to 4x4 driving experiences and deer park tours.
Dean Gunston, General Manager of Bovey Castle, said: ‘We are extremely proud of this award as there has been a monumental effort from people throughout our team to raise the bar in terms of the visitor experience and further establish Bovey as a special place to visit.
‘It was fantastic to see so many great businesses and venues in the region being recognised for the brilliant work they do in creating such a strong tourism offer in the South West.
‘To secure the national award would be an amazing achievement both for ourselves and the wider region, and would set us up nicely for an exciting year ahead.’