The Spread Eagle Hotel - South Street, Midhurst, West Sussex,GU29 9NH

Today marks the official launch of a new unique  luxury membership programme, called the Historic Sussex Hotel Club at The Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa in Midhurst, and at its sister properties of Bailiffscourt in Climping and Michelin rated Ockenden Manor in Cuckfield.  Historic Sussex Hotels are a group of privately owned collection of three very distinctive luxury small hotels set in some of the most beautiful locations in West Sussex.

The Historic Sussex Hotel Club has been created to provide great value and a range of VIP privileges and gifts for discerning regular customers to enjoy more of their business, pleasure and leisure times within these luxury hotels. Membership also offers complimentary membership to Design Restaurants for extended UK dining preferential benefits.

The Spread Eagle Hotel

For a one-off annual fee of just £130 inc. VAT, Historic Sussex Hotel Club members can enjoy amazing benefits worth thousands of pounds, including: a free stay in a deluxe double room with breakfast for two and spa entry; complimentary afternoon tea for two on two separate occasions; free dining in its three AA Rosette and Michelin star awarded restaurant properties; private dining and event offers; and exclusive passes to the spa.

Edward James, General Manager of The Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa, says: “Historic Sussex Hotel Club membership represents true value for money and a way appreciate the finer things in life more regularly.  With The Spread Eagle Hotel, I believe it to be amongst the finest historical inns and is a beautiful destination with mouth-watering cuisine and a lovely relaxed charm.  Historic Sussex Hotel group is a byword for meticulous service and this club, with its fantastic array of benefits, is a remarkable indictment of just how much we value our regular customers and neighbours. We hope all our customers can benefit from this and new ones will love it too.”

Specifically, members are entitled to enjoy the following benefits at The Spread Eagle Hotel, and at the other hotels where noted:

• Complimentary dining for lunch and dinner when dining with one or more guests all week, except for Saturday evenings in all three hotels.

• Two x complimentary cream teas for two people, valid Monday to Friday – valued at £20 per visit.

• Founding members joining before 31 March 2011 will receive a complimentary deluxe double room with breakfast for two and spa entry – valued from £185 – on joining.  Valid Sunday to Thursday.  Usual membership benefits apply following this of three dining visits prior to receipt of complimentary room stay.

• A complimentary bottle of ‘West Sussex’ Sparkling Wine voucher when dining in a party of four or more – valued at £42. 

• Two complimentary Spa passes for two people allowing free entry to the spa when booking a 55 minute treatment per person.

• Gourmet mid-week voucher offers to enjoy a three course dinner with overnight stay and breakfast for two people for: £100 at The Spread Eagle Hotel, £200 at Bailiffscourt, and £200 Ockenden Manor.

• Exclusive Meeting and Private Dining function member rates from free room hire to 15% pending party size.

• Complimentary enrolment into the Design Restaurants membership club – valued at £80 – allowing the member to dine with preferential dining rates and privileges at fine dining restaurants throughout the UK. www.designrestaurants.com

• Member invitations to social, gourmet, and health events throughout the membership year.

Prospective members or Design Restaurant members wishing to increase their member benefits should call the Historic Sussex Hotel Club membership services on:  01276 850581

TEN OF THE BEST DINE & SPA DESTINATIONS IN THE UK

Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa – Bagshot Surrey

Pennyhill Park Hotel

Very few destinations hold this hotel’s pedigree – A Michelin starred restaurant which is also one of three hotel restaurants in the UK with the accolade of five red star AA Rosettes.  The spa is the largest spa facility in Europe and the only total thermal experience spa in the UK. Although the hotel has a lovely café facility at the spa and a Brasserie we recommend a stay with dinner from the tasting menu in the Latymer restaurant.

Design Spas Day Spa Packages from: £180pp

Design Spas Overnight Spa Breaks from: £820 per couple for 2 nights

Dining benefits available at this property.

Reservations or enquiries call:  01276 489065

Barnsley House – Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Barnsley House Hotel

A super elegant and stylish contemporary hotel and restaurant in a stunning ‘period drama’ style Manor House.  The Garden Spa is a thoroughly modern glass structure with its floor to ceiling windows, use of natural stone and aromatic herbs hanging from wooden beams – just the setting alone will make you feel replenished.

Design Spas Day Spa Packages from: £200pp

Reservations or enquiries call:  01276 489065

Limewood –  New Forest, Hampshire

Limewood Hotel

One of the country’s most chic boutique country house hotel’s renovated with a modern, light and airy feel.  A true definition of the modern classic.  The Dining Room Restaurant is understated style where you will feel comfortable whether or not you are formally dressed with creative British cuisine.  Their Herb House Spa is a refined and luxurious 22,000sq ft design over three floors featuring a forest sauna, rooftop herb garden filled with fragrant fresh herbs, outdoor and indoor wet facilities and spacious treatment rooms.

Design Spas Days and Spa Break offers available

Reservations or enquiries call:  01276 489065

Cowley Manor – Nr Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Cowley Manor

An astonishingly grand stately home now hotel with ultra swish and flamboyant interior.  The Cowley Manor Restaurant is a feast for the senses proudly focusing on its local produce.  The C-Side Spa is a befitting palatial modern glass structure with cutting edge facilities.  Adorable bedrooms make for a  memorable stay.

Design Spas Overnight Spa Breaks: £295 per couple

Reservations or enquiries call:  01276 489065

Chewton Glen – New Forest, Hampshire

Chewton Glen

A distinctively English leading five star hotel ideal for first class pampering.  The immaculate Vetiver Restaurant is a three AA Rosette destination restaurant in its own right.  The spa has topped the best spa lists globally for many years for its numerous facilities and magnificent classical pool area and hydrotherapy pool.

Design Spas Days and Spa Break offers available

Dining benefits available at this property.

Reservations or enquiries call:  01276 489065

The Bath Priory – Bath

Bath Priory

A sublime five star country house hotel in the heart of Bath full of old English charm and character.  It has the feel more of a private home than hotel to make any visit feel relaxed and precious. The restaurant is overseen by two Michelin starred chef, Michael Caines MBE and the Garden Spa is very comfortable and intimate with a wonderful pool area.

Dining benefits available at this property.

Reservations or enquiries call:  01276 489065

Ockenden Manor – Cuckfield, Sussex

Ockenden Manor

A fine Elizabethan manor house hotel tucked away in a picturesque tudor village.  Michelin starred dining is served in its ultra smart and cosy restaurant which overlooks the South Downs National Park.  Its spa is newly opened in the grounds of its 19^th Century walled garden and seamlessly blends the modern fully equipped spa retreat  with the main house.

Design Spas Day and Spa Break offers available

Dining benefits available at this property.

Reservations or enquiries call:  01276 489065

The Grove – Chandler’s Cross, Hertfordshire

The Grove

A luxury five star grand country house resort full of contemporary glamour.  Colette’s is the fine dining restaurant offering (there are two others in case you prefer a less formal) and has recently been awarded a well deserved three AA Rosettes.  The Sequoia Spa is set a short distance behind the main hotel and offers a state of the art facility with striking originality such as black mosaic ozone friendly indoor pool and appealing quirky spa furnishings.

Dining benefits available at this property. 

Reservations or enquiries call:  01276 489065

Lucknam Park – Chippenham, Wiltshire

Lucknam Park

One of England’s finest five star country house hotels.  A totally unspoilt and absolutely immaculate Palladian mansion in 500 acres of parkland which houses its spa in a stunning walled garden and also offers its own equestrian centre.  There are two restaurant choices of the Park Restaurant for fine dining or its very modern Brasserie which is attached to the spa.  The award-winning spa has everything needed and more so.

Dining benefits available at this property.

Reservations or enquiries call:  01276 489065

Coworth Park – Ascot, Berkshire

Dorchester Coworth Park

Coworth holds the ultimate pedigree as part of the world’s foremost five star hotel group – the Dorchester Collection.  A Georgian country house lavishly restored with a stylish contemporary interior.  Michelin starred dining in its ornate fine dining restaurant is phenomenal.  Their ground breaking eco-spa is set a short distance from the hotel and is an architectural wonder.

Dining benefits available at this property.

Reservations or enquiries call:  01276 489065

One&Only Reethi Rah - Maldives

For the Ultimate Spa Experiences and Spa Gift Packages

Following a year of collaboration with leading luxury restaurant and hotel site – Design Restaurants announces the launch of Design Spas, its luxury online spa guide featuring the finest spa packages from around the world.

Perfect for spa enthusiasts and gift buyers looking for the ultimate in day spa or spa breaks at the World’s most luxurious spas.  Its forte is in the detail with sublime spas such as The Spa at Pennyhill Park, C-Side at Cowley Manor or international spas such as the One&Only or Banyan Tree resorts.  Add these with an excellent combination of treatments, added extras and exquisitely gift-wrapped confirmations to make any gift or break irresistible.

Tessa Shreeve, Managing Director of Design Spas says of the site, “Relaxation time is so rare these days that you want quality assurances.  Our site pays homage to those truly great spas and creating perfect occasions”.  She openly admits that finding a quality spa from the broad brush of venues listed as spas could be very hit and miss, but as a marketing agency boss with over 20 years experience in luxury hotels, spas and sporting clubs it was merely a matter of time before this was launched. Adding, “It’s all about the finishing touches.  With our treatment packages on offer we proudly conjure up a magical combination for spa aficionados, those requiring a well-deserved break or those looking for the ultimate gift”.

The launch sees a tantalising amount of worldwide choices from £60 to £325 for a day spa experience and breaks away from £125 per person.  The emphasis is on quality rather than quantity although more spas will be added shortly.   With wise pricing it means it’s affordable for most pockets for a special treat, Christmas present or as part of a discerning wellbeing regime.

For international bookings Design Spas are proud to work with the haute couture of travel agents, World by Design, who provide an unmatched individually tailored holiday service around the world to take care of your transportation requirements and holiday needs.

Next time you are thinking of a break or for a present perhaps for this Christmas season, discover what is available at Design Spas – you will be amazed at what you can exclusively enjoy.

Their list represents the view of the food loving general public instead of the usual anonymous inspectors in guides such as Michelin or AA.  The list is compiled in association with the Harden’s Guide using 80,000 genuine reports from diners who had been asked to rate the places they have visited.

The report has shown that a growing number of the best restaurants are now outside of London – 50% of the top 100 this year rather than 40% a year earlier.  An excellent showing of 31 new entries have also made it onto the list showing that despite austere times quality and innovativeness are still shining through.  You can also enjoy discreet but exceptional offers at many of these top restaurants through Design Restaurants Club.

Here we list the top 100 Sunday Times best restaurants in Britain:

1. The Ledbury, London
2. Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Great Milton, Oxfordshire
3. Gidleigh Park, Chagford, Devon
4. Le Gavroche, London
5. Waterside Inn, Bray, Berkshire
6. One-O-One, London
7. Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles, Auchterarder, Perthshire
8. Restaurant Martin Wishart, Edinburgh
9. Pied à Terre, London
10. The Fat Duck, Bray, Berkshire
11. Hambleton Hall, Hambleton, Rutland
12. Midsummer House, Cambridge
13. John Campbell at Coworth Park, Ascot, Berkshire
14. Yorke Arms, Ramsgill-in-Nidderdale, Yorkshire
15. The Square, London
16. L’Enclume, Cartmel, Cumbria
17. The Hambrough, Ventnor, Isle of Wight
18. Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, Rock, Cornwall
19. Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley, London
20. The Kitchin, Edinburgh
21. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, London
22. Simon Radley at the Chester Grosvenor, Chester
23. Dining Room at Whatley Manor, Easton Grey, Wiltshire
24. La Bécasse, Ludlow, Shropshire
25. Mr Underhill’s, Ludlow, Shropshire
26. The Three Chimney’s, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye
27. L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, London
28. Viajante, London
29. Murano, London
30. Northcote, Langho, Lancashire
31. The Greenhouse, London
32. Restaurant Sat Bains, Nottingham
33. Fischers at Baslow Hall, Baslow, Derbyshire
34. Roka, London
35. Sharrow Bay, Ullswater, Cumbria
36. Zuma, London
37. Seafood Restaurant, Padstow, Cornwall
38. The Capital Restaurant, London
39. Umu, London
40. The Ritz Restaurant, London
41. Holbeck Ghyll, Windermere, Cumbria
42. Number One, Edinburgh
43. Chez Bruce, London
44. The Peat Inn, Cupar, Fife
45. Bath Priory Hotel, Bath, Somerset
46. Fraiche, Oxton, Merseyside
47. Kai Mayfair, London
48. The Box Tree, Ilkley, Yorkshire
49. Rasoi, London
50. Morston Hall, Morston, Norfolk
51. Roussillon, London
52. Texture, London
53. The Castle Terrace, Edinburgh
54. Paris House, Woburn, Bedford
55. Drakes, Ripley
56. 21212, Edinburgh
57. L’Ortolan, Shinfield, Berkshire
58. Hélène Darozze, London
59. Simpsons, Birmingham
60. Club Gascon, London
61. Hibiscus, London
62. La Petite Maison, London
63. Artichoke, Amersham, Buckinghamshire
64. The Vineyard at Stockcross, Stockcross, Berkshire
65. Min Jiang, London
66. Morgan M, London
67. The River Café, London
68. The French Horn, Sonning-on-Thames, Berkshire
69. Scott’s, London
70. L’Oranger, London
71. Hakkasan, London
72. Summer Isles Hotel, Achiltibuie, Ullapool
73. Ramsons, Ramsbottom, Bury
74. The Latymer, Bagshot, Surrey
75. Dorchester Grill, London
76. Tyddyn Llan, Llandrillo, Landrillo
77. Gauthier Soho, London
78. Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, London
79. Van Zeller, Harrogate, Yorkshire
80. Bohemia, Jersey
81. Apsleys, London
82. Yauatcha, London
83. Theo Randall, London
84. La Trompette, London
85. Angelus, London
86. Purnell’s, Birmingham
    

    Design Restaurants FREE APP

87. J Sheekey, London
88. Wiltons, London
89. Pearl, London
90. The Crown at Whitebrook, Whitebtrook, Monmouthshire
91. Roux at the Landau, London
92. Read’s, Faversham, Kent
93. Pétrus, London
94. Nobu, London
95. Benares, London
96. Vetiver at Chewton Glen, New Milton, Hampshire
97. Turners, Birmingham
98. St John, London
99. Pollen Street Social, London
100. Trinity, London

To find your nearest leading restaurant why not download our free iPhone App today here.

Design Restaurants launches its eagerly awaited fine dining finder App service for iPhones   The App lets you quickly and easily view all accredited inspiring and original restaurants in your area or desired location, research their suitability with pricing and offers to help you visualise and book the right choice. This free App is a constantly updated reference guide and booking facility using the collective knowledge of Michelin, AA, Good Food and Zagat guides with respected reviewers and the best of the new openings.

“We are incredibly pleased with this App as it totally supports our vision for making  informed restaurant selections.” Says Tessa Shreeve, Managing Director, adding “ It gives you a close up and personal knowledge of all great restaurants in the UK so it is immensely handy to use literally on a daily basis especially if you want to enjoy extra benefits and reductions by optionally subscribing to our members club.”

The App is available immediately for download on the iTunes App store.  Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.  Requires iOS 4.0 or later.

Dowload free now:

Apps for Blackberry and Android coming soon.

Food and service are usually the ingredients focused on but here we show the other element of where design is used to aid atmosphere and create an environment that you are inspired to dine within.  For an article for FX Magazine, 5 leading designers were asked what goes into making a successful restaurant.  Here we extract pertinent points to help you rate your favourites.

SHH: Creative Director, Neil Hogan

Realising that design isn’t everything

Design is an ingredient, while the operator holds the full recipe

Creating a great ‘shop window’

The external aspect is an invitation.  Restaurants should have a clear and distinct appeal in the context of their location and local competition.

Atmosphere and sensory appeal

How you are greeted is paramount – both by staff and by the sights, sounds and smells you encounter.  Great spatial layout and a clear journey to your table count, as do sight lines as you walk through, plus appropriate colour, furniture and lighting design.

Material choice and comfort

Zones, table height and can you people watch.  Screens and mirrors can add clarity or mystery.  Material quality is now vital and should add richness, depth and above all comfort.

Tantalising toilets

Should always be an easy, straightforward and high quality experience.

B3 Designers: Designer Director, Mark Bithrey

Ergonomics

Sound balance is essential in the design of a restaurant.  Too many hard surfaces amplify noise.  Alternatively, if it’s is too quiet the space becomes intimidating and sterile. Table spacing balance is key.

Identity

The impression that the identity needs to leave is one that a customer would want to return to and also tell their friends about.

Lighting

All restaurants have two lighting schemes – day and night.  Best to use the most sophisticated dimmer system the budget allows.  We always ensure there is lots of lighting dotted around the restaurant so we can create various moods.

Materials

Customers are very design aware.  Success lies in the originality of merging in new ways or putting a twist on a material and where it is used.

Manipulation of space

How we choose to break a space up is important to creating an overall holistic journey.  Creating main features and focal points can achieve this.

Mackenzie Wheeler: Partner, Rupert Wheeler

Strong and distinctive philosophy

A distinctive philosophy is needed to guide the entire venture and should, of course, be led by the menu and the host.  Without it it become pointless decoration.

Entertainment value

We eat out for entertainment so the venue must recognise that.  Like a theatre, the space should have a focus, a sense of drama, anticipation, appropriate lighting and comfort, and a very efficient flow of staff, performers, guests and audience.

Plenty of spirit

The interior should have a generosity if spirit because this is the real crux of effective hospitality.  From choice of chairs, upholstery, lighting, space, table size, views cutlery, crockery etc.

Great seating

Every table should be a nice table to sit at.  No one should be looking past their dining partner at a blank wall or seated at an isolated table.  Everyone should be part of the environment so that a real sense of community can be generated.

A well balanced environment

Nothing is so uncomfortable as not being able to hear your dining partner while sitting in a draft near the front door on a hard chair with no back support – all because the designer was after some pointless attempt at minimalism.

Interior Desires: Founder and creative director, Rebecca James

Entrance

The entrance is where you make or break an impression to the customer.  With a small space you need to create a Pandora’s box, with a larger space, be careful not to scare the customer away by making it feel too grand.

Wow factor

It needs some wow factor to draw customers in, whether its design for high end or lower end restaurants.  Every aspect of the space needs to work.

Branding

It is so important that customers can engage with the restaurant they are in and remember it through its own brand identity.

Eye-catching

From a design point of view a simple way to gain balance is to use architectural structure for the front of house because bars of today need to be eye-catching from the outside.

Temperature

Temperature-wise there is nothing worse than sitting down for a meal or a drink and feeling too cold or hot.  You need to find the right concept for the client and how it will fit into the area.

Philip Watts Design: Founder, Philip Watts

Sell the restaurant through the design

It is the restaurant designer’s job to do anything other than sell the food.  You must create a narrative and a context for the restaurant’s offer.

Ask questions and investigate

Understand what you are selling.  Agree four cornerstones of the offer and write them down.  Go to the places where the customers go – eat at all your client’s rivals.

Fight your corner

Dividing up budgets between designer, chefs and operations can be difficult but remember visiting a restaurant is about experience and atmosphere.

Budget

Interior design is like cooking – it is always the sum of the individual ingredients you put in that creates the finished dish.

Client

The design scheme is only ever as good as the client.  It will be their vision and concept you bring to life.

To read the full article click here.

Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2012

Michelin has released its 2012 guide for Great Britain and Ireland today bringing a record number of 151 accredited establishments to the directory.

The Michelin star is an indication for restaurants with excellent cuisine and service standards.  A limited number of the best restaurants achieve the status indicated by one, two or three stars.  There are only 4 restaurants in the Great Britain and Ireland with three stars, 17 with two stars and 130 with one star.

Among those celebrating today as newcomers to a one Michelin star include Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in Knightsbridge, The Pass at South Lodge Hotel in Horsham and John Campbell at Coworth Park in Ascot.

Meanwhile Tom Kerridge’s Hand & Flowers restaurant in Marlow has become the first pub in the country to achieve two Michelin star status alongside the much coveted Restaurant Sat Bains in Nottingham.

New awards are as below and to view the full 2012 Michelin Guide list click here.

New two star restaurants:

Restaurant Sat Bains, Nottingham

The Hand & Flowers, Marlow, Buckinghamshire

New one star restaurants:

In London

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Knightsbridge

Hakkasan, Mayfair

Pollen Street Social, Mayfair

North Road, Clerkenwell 

In England

The Pass, Horsham, West Sussex

Coworth Park, Ascot, Surrey

Sir Charles Napier, Chinnor, Buckinghamshire

Butchers Arms, Eldersfield, Worcestershire

Tassili at the Grand Hotel, St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands

The Black Swan, Oldstead, North Yorkshire

Driftwood, Portscatho, Cornwall

In Wales

The Checkers, Montgomery, Monmouthshire

In Scotland

Castle Terrace, Edinburgh

Glennap Castle, Ballantrae, South Ayrshire

Martin Wishart at Loch Lomond, Balloch West, Dunbartonshire

Le Caprice

Tomorrow sees Le Caprice mark 30 years as one of the capital’s most enduring after dining hot spots.  Made famous as the celebrity and a royal favourite long before being eclipsed on the celebrity circuit by the Ivy came along in the nineties, it is apt that eleven of the biggest names in music have joined together to help in the celebrations of this Mayfair icon.

Stars ranging from Sir Paul McCartney, Coldplay and Gary Barlow have nominated their favourite songs for a limited-edition book of piano sheet music to be played on the restaurant’s piano.  According to Jesus Adorno, Le Caprice’s Bolivian born maitre’d and now also its director, the piano is one of the touches that make Le Caprice different.  The restaurant’s Yamaha is wheeled out for dinner replacing one of the 20 tables in the intimate dining room.  200 copies of the book are being printed, with a foreword by Jools Holland and proceeds will go to War Child, the charity that helps young people who grow up in conflict zones.

He said, “It is the only restaurant outside hotels that has live piano music.  Sometimes it doesn’t feel like a restaurant, you get the feelings it’s a club within a club.”

The restaurant also celebrates its reopening after a £500,000 interior facelift to brighten up the art deco interior with original David Bailey portraits.

The restaurant is now owned by Richard Caring, the billionaire owner of Wentworth, The Ivy, Soho House and Annabel’s to name a few of perhaps one of the most prestigious restaurant and club portfolio’s in the world.  He had jokingly said he purchased Le Caprice group as it was costing him too much to dine there every night.

Le Caprice will be forever linked with Princess Diana and Princess Margaret who were loyal customers.    Mr Adorno has poignant memories of Princess Diana as a most charming lady but said, “There was only one downside, when Diana was in nobody would want to leave they all wanted to wait until she had left, and then there would be a massive exodus.”  On the evening after she died her table, table nine, was kept empty, with a single candle burning as a tribute.

Piano music chosen for Le Caprice’s birthday by the stars are:

Cold Play – Your song, Elton John

Sir Paul McCartney – Cheek to Cheek, Irving Berlin

Paloma Faith – The Sacrifice, Michael Nyman

Gary Barlow – Love, John Lennon

Skin – Strange Fruit, Billie Holiday

Jamie Cullum – I’m Still Here, Tom Waits

Huey Morgan – A Kiss To Build A Dream On, Louis Armstrong

Holly Johnson – Walk on the Wild Side, Lou Reed

Biffy Clyro – Journey to the Line, Hans Zimmer

Mr Hudson – Space Oddity, David Bowie

Eliza Doolittle – Oxygen, Willy Mason

Sophie Raworth with AA Chefs’ Chef winners Chris and Jeff Galvin

The UK’s hospitality industry came together yesterday to recognise the best of the best at the AA Hospitality Awards 2011.  With a guest list that read like a who’s who of the hospitality world, the awards ceremony saw some of the top hoteliers in the country mingle with the best pub landlords, hospitality gurus and world renowned chefs.  The awards, hosted by Sophie Raworth at the London Hilton on Park Lane, saw 20 establishments and individuals receiving recognition for outstanding excellence in their field, including The Latymer at Pennyhill Park being the only new recipient of the ultimate accolade of 5 AA Rosettes.  Now one of only eight restaurants of this calibre it places it alongside other eminent restaurants as Heston Blumenthal’s ‘The Fat Duck’ and Raymond Blanc’s ‘Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons’

The AA Hospitality Awards bring together some of the most influential people within the hospitality industry to recognise the outstanding accomplishments of high-achieving AA establishments and individuals. The award event also sees the launch of the 2012 AA guides to UK hotels, restaurants, pubs and b&b which contain details of all the winning establishments.

The winners of the AA Hospitality Awards 2011 were:

New Multi Rosette Restaurants

Five AA Rosettes (The AA’s highest culinary accolade)

• The Latymer at Pennyhill Park in Bagshot, Surrey

The Latymer now is one of only eight others to enjoy this award

Four AA Rosettes

• Glenapp Castle – Ballantrae
• Ocean Restaurant at the Atlantic Hotel – St Brelade

Three AA Rosettes

• Castle Terrace Restaurant – Edinburgh
• Coworth Park – Ascot
• Montagu Arms – Beaulieu
• The Crown at Whitebrook – Whitebrook
• Dinner by Heston Blumenthal – London
• Feversham Arms – Helmsey
• Fishmore Hall – Ludlow
• Pollen Street – London
• Roux at Parliament Square – London
• Saddleworth Hotel – Delph
• Theo Randall – London
• Thornton Hall – Thornton

New Red Star Hotels

Five AA Red Stars

• The Savoy, London  
• Four Seasons Hotel Park Lane, London
• Limewood, Hampshire
• St James’s Hotel and Club, London SW1

Four AA Red Stars

• Armathwaite Hall, Cumbria
• Barnsley House, Gloucestershire
• Buxted Park Hotel, East Sussex   
• Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa, North Yorkshire 
• Old Government House Hotel & Spa, Guernsey
• Rhinefield House, Hampshire

Three AA Red Stars

• Fishmore Hall, Shropshire    
• Killiecrankie House Hotel, Perth & Kinross
• Roman Camp Country House Hotel, Stirling

Two Red Stars

• Cloud Hotel, Hampshire

AA Chefs’ Chef of the Year (sponsored by Caterer.com)

A unique award that offers all AA Rosette-awarded chefs the chance to decide which of their peers deserves the ultimate recognition.

• Winner: Chris and Jeff Galvin – The AA multi-Rosetted chef brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin run Galvin Restaurants, a family run collection of French restaurants founded in 2005.  It is not difficult to see why the Galvin brothers are so well respected in the industry.  They are both committed, hard working, totally hands on, passionate about developing young people and above all very modest and humble.

AA Restaurant of the Year

While the standard of cuisine is at the very heart of the selection criteria for these awards, innovation, ambience, and hospitality are all part of the equation that determines the eventual winners.

• Winner, England: The Hand & Flowers, Marlow – Located in the beautiful Georgian town of Marlow, The Hand & Flowers was opened in March 2005.  Since opening, hands on owners, Tom & Beth Kerridge, have worked tirelessly to put the Hand & Flowers on the culinary map. The quality of food is excellent and highly consistent, maintaining three Rosettes for many years now. The team continuously work hard to provide a warm welcome and ensure that the produce is of the highest standard.
• Winner, Scotland: Gordon’s Restaurant, Inverkeilor – The two Rosette-awarded restaurant is a true family run-business. This 24 seat restaurant is ideal for a relaxed intimate dining experience which complements the personal style of cooking utilising Scottish seasonal produce, cooked simply and imaginatively. Slick artistic presentation and fine ingredients add up to superb tasting beautiful dishes. The passion for good food is as evident today as ever.
• Winner, Wales: The Crown at Whitebrook – This outstanding three AA Rosette-awarded restaurant has the superbly talented and gifted Welsh born Executive Head Chef James Sommerin in charge in the kitchen where he lives and breathes fine food, creating supremely imaginative and unfailingly stunning masterpiece dishes in his kitchen.  The exceptional food is teamed with flawless service, an impressive wine list and a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.
• Winner, London (sponsored by AA Business Insurance): Terroirs, WC4 – At Terroirs it is all about food and wine which is natural and free of additives as well as about artisan products that taste simply of their origin. It is about serving food and wine in a fun, friendly and stimulating environment and it is about the people who return to Terroirs and bring with them that sense of enjoyment and pleasure.

AA Hotel of the Year

Introduced in 1992, and awarded to hotels that are recognised as being outstanding examples in their particular market.

• Winner, England: Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, Windermere – A beautiful hotel set in 22 acres of country gardens, moors and woodland. Having achieved and maintained four Red Stars since 2007, the hotel has shown consistency in the kitchen as well, with three AA Rosettes achieved yearly from 1997 to the present day.The Lake House is also a stunning addition to the main hotel with bedrooms of the highest quality.
• Winner, Scotland: Blythswood Square, Glasgow – The newest addition to The Town House Collection, Blythswood Square has created a lot of excitement in Glasgow and indeed Scotland as it houses not only 100 bedrooms, including suites and a luxurious penthouse, but also a stunning Restaurant, Salon and the city’s first urban Spa. It is ideally located in Blythswood Square, the only remaining green space in the city centre, whilst being close to all the main transport links, shops, attractions and nightlife.
• Winner, Wales: St Brides Spa Hotel, Saundersfoot – St Brides is a contemporary destination spa hotel, standing tall on a headland in Pembrokeshire, with breathtaking views of Saundersfoot Harbour. St Brides has been transformed from what was once a traditional seaside hotel into a luxury escape retreat with stylish décor and artwork throughout. The building has been sympathetically converted to create facilities aimed at the spa connoisseur, business groups, contemporary art enthusiasts and ‘foodies’ alike, providing the perfect retreat to relax and unwind.
• Winner, London (sponsored by AA Business Insurance): The Savoy – A British icon since 1889, The Savoy has once again taken its place on the world stage after over a £100 million restoration. The hotel seamlessly blends elements of the original and the new while the stunning English Edwardian and Art Deco interiors sparkle with timeless elegance and glamour.

AA Lifetime Achievement

This award recognises a lifetime commitment to the pursuit of perfection within their discipline. Along with the highest quality of service and standards, a track record of constant improvement and an unswerving dedication.

Winner: Peter Lederer CBE – With a career spanning over 40 years, Peter has and continues to make a significant contribution to the industry through his various roles and commitments. In 1984 he joined Gleneagles as General Manager, 3 years later was appointed Managing Director and became chairman in 2007. In those 27 years he has been instrumental in developing Gleneagles into a world class resort hotel.

AA Wine Award (sponsored by T&W Wines)

Nominees are judged on the quality of their wine list and their ability to inspire customers to make wider and more adventurous choices.

Winner, England: La Trompette, London W4 –   La Trompette provides guests with an eclectic mix of wine at a broad price range. Recent changes in the economy have led guests to look further afield for value for money which has thrust their list to the forefront of guests minds.   Where previously they had perhaps not looked beyond Burgundy and Bordeaux in a restaurant such as this they have now started to relish the rest of the list.

Winner, Scotland: Rhubarb – the Restaurant at Prestonfield, Edinburgh – Rhubarb – the Restaurant at Prestonfield’s wine list is in a different league. It offers great wine choices and mouth watering selections; there is strength and depth throughout the list with great notes, which provide so much information.

Winner, Wales & Overall: The Bell at Skenfrith – The Bell has a truly remarkable wine list, which is difficult to put down and the astonishing list that is full of passion and personality.  There are great wine choices on every page, illustrated with both witty and engaging pictures.

Guests were treated to a magnificent gourmet meal created by five AA Rosette-awarded chef Pierre Gagnaire from Sketch in conjunction with the Hilton Park Lane kitchen team.

It’s thought the buyer will most likely be an investor rather than a sipper with the owner of the distillery firm  behind Whyte and Mackay, Mr Mallaya commenting that the buyer had landed “an absolute bargin”.  The price has risen by £100,000 in value in 10 years, then adding, “How much will it be worth in another 10 years”.

The rare whisky boasts a cornucopia of flavours and aromas.  These include honey, Seville oranges, coffee, bitter chocolate, cardamom, cloves, ginger and almonds.