Warwickshire hotel scoops value for money award
A WARWICKSHIRE hotel has scooped a major industry award for its value-for-money service.
The George Hotel in High Street, Shipston-on-Stour has been vote independently as the Best Value Rural Hotel in the UK in the Sunday Times’ worldwide annual Value for Money awards.
The award, which was announced in the newspaper’s travel magazine, highlighted the hotel’s “funked-up but friendly” design, restaurant and value-for-money in and around the Cotswolds.
Hotelier Ian Fergusson said the award had come out-of-the-blue and was delighted for the boost it had given his staff.
“This was completely unexpected because you are not told that the inspectors are coming – and that in itself is pleasing because it shows the quality of the staff and hotel on an everyday basis,” he said.
“These awards are highly-regarded and when you flicked through the other winners, there were hotels in San Francisco, Bangkok, Marrakesh, London – some of the biggest tourist locations in the world, so it’s humbling to be in such good company.
“When I came to the hotel three years ago it needed to be turned around – the style of the place, the quality of service and the prices, which were inflationary.”
He said he had tried to make it a contemporary yet comfortable place to sleep, eat and drink and the award was recognition of everyone’s efforts.
“There is still investment going into improving the rooms and giving it a unique character – things like re-opening our chimneys so there’s that cosy warmth at the hint of a chill,” he added.
