Bed and Breakfasts from the South coast to the Highlands of Scotland were celebrating yesterday at the AA Bed and Breakfast Awards. The awards, presented at the annual ceremony at the London Landmark Hotel, include guest accommodation for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as well as the awards for Funkiest Bed and Breakfast and Friendliest Bed and Breakfast.
The 2016 winners are:
- AA Guest Accommodation for England 2016 – Judith and Graham Bullock, Kateshill House Bed and Breakfast in Bewdley
- AA Guest Accommodation for Scotland 2016 – Carol and Gordon Bulloch, The Dulaig B&B in Grantown-on-Spey
- AA Guest Accommodation for Wales 2016 – David and Beverley Harrison-Wood, Caemorgan Mansion Guest House in Cardigan
- AA Guest Accommodation for Northern Ireland 2016 – Ian Orr and Marcus Roulston, Ardtara Country House, Upperlands
- AA Funkiest Bed and Breakfast 2016 – Tony Mead and Paul Munton from Snooze Brighton
- AA Friendliest Bed and Breakfast 2016 sponsored by eviivo – Mike and Alison Thomas from The Old Bakery B&B in Hindolveston
Mike and Alison have been welcoming guests at The Old Bakery since July 2011, after six months of renovating the Georgian building. As soon as they walked in the front door they felt a sense of it being a peaceful place of sanctuary which is exactly what they offer guests. From a welcome cup of tea and homemade cake on arrival to helping guests make the most of their stay with a wealth of local knowledge and a ‘nothing is too much bother’ attitude it is no wonder that The Old Bakery has a loyal number of visitors who frequently return for a relaxing break in the Norfolk countryside. While many guests arrive strangers, they leave having built a strong enduring relationship with Mike and Alison.
Mike Thomas said, ‘The AA is such a prestigious organisation in setting the standard for B&Bs and we were really thrilled to be awarded a four star Gold Award and a Breakfast Award within 6 weeks of opening our B&B. Now to be named the AA’s Friendliest B&B for 2016 just four years later is wonderful and we are over the moon to be recognised in this way.’
Peter Laigaard Jensen, Head of AA Hotel & Hospitality Services said, ‘It is an absolute pleasure to celebrate and recognise all of our 2016 AA Bed & Breakfast award winners here in London. To run a Bed & Breakfast is a very personal thing and it takes a lot of dedication as well as passion and with such great establishments from all over the United Kingdom, it only confirms the strength and depth that the B&B market has to offer. Each of these B&Bs offer great hospitality and are passionate about giving their guests the best possible experience during their stay.’