Opened in 2010 after a £20 million refurbishment, judges praised the Grand Central’s management and service excellence, business performance and continuing investment this year in further expansion of the hotel and its Champagne bar situated next to Glasgow Central railway station – the busiest in Scotland. In 2012 the Grand Central’s General Manager, Laurie Nicol, was named Manager of the Year.
Gary McLean Quin, Chairman of Judges, commented: “There were again many strong contenders for Scottish Hotel of the Year, but the Grand Central stood out because of its all-round performance, passionate leadership, staff management, and wise future development. It was great to see the old building re-open a few ears ago and its plans are marvellous for Glasgow.”
The Scottish Hotel Awards, held at the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow, was attended by almost 500 hoteliers and guests. Scottish Government Minister for External Affairs and International Development, Humza Yousaf, a Glasgow MSP, helped present the top awards along with 2014 Commonwealth Games mascot ‘Clyde’.
The Awards
Calum and Rachel Ross, who own and run Loch Melfort Hotel at Arduaine near Oban, were named Hoteliers of the Year. Set in 17 acres of gardens and beach on the coast of Argyll, the 25 bedroom hotel looks out to the islands of Islay, Jura and Scarba.
Bill Burnett of the Holiday Inn Aberdeen West received the Manager of the Year Award.
Rising Star Hotelier of the Year was named as Jody Marshall of Ballathie House on the banks of the River Tay at Kinclaven, near Perth.
Owners Laurence and Katie Mackay collected the Country House Hotel trophy for Tiroran House on the Isle of Mull.
The Small Country House Hotel Awardwent to the Pierhouse at Port Appin on the shores of Loch Linnhe.
Lady Claire Macdonald’s Kinloch Lodge at Sleat on Skye was voted Most Romantic Hotel, with Anne Gracie and Ken Gunn’s Toravaig House a few miles away named Island Hotel of the Year.
Chef of the Year went to Michael Simpson of Culloden House near Inverness, with the Chefs’ Team Award going to Raemoir House at Banchory, Aberdeenshire.
Restaurant of the Year was awarded to Hadrian’s at The Balmoral in Edinburgh, while F&B Hotel of the Year was The Caledonian Waldorf Astoria in the capital, and the F&B Group title went to Costley & Costley of Ayrshire.
The New Hotel category went to the limited service concept Tune Hotel opposite Edinburgh’s Haymarket station.
The Isle of Arran – cut off from the outside world by snowstorms and gales for several days last month – was named Destination of the Year. In a great night for the island, the Douglas Hotel at Brodick took home the Boutique Hotel of the Year trophy and the Glenisle Hotel at Lamlash, which has views over to the Holy Isle and Ayrshire coast, won the Seaside Hotel category.
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