In the recent Cumbria Tourism Awards, the accolade of Cumbria’s Small Hotel of the Year went to Grasmere hotel and riverside spa, Rothay Garden.
 

Over 200 members of the Lake District’s tourism industry saw the hotel’s owner, Chris Carss, receive the award at a glittering ceremony at Rheged Discovery Centre, Penrith.
 

The award – the first time Rothay Garden has won it since 1999 – was open to all hotels in the Lake District with fewer than 35 bedrooms (Rothay Garden has 30, of which 12 are suites).  The citation said that the winning hotel would “demonstrate impeccable standards of accommodation and service”.  Rothay Garden was judged with a mystery guest visit, and was also rated on its customer care and investment in staff training, and its links with the local community.
 

The citation went on to say that “together with strong management, excellent customer service, loyal guests and creative marketing, the business has been taken forward to new levels, despite the current economic climate”.

Chris Carss, Managing Director, and Elliott Waugh, Hotel Manager, received the award on stage, and Ian Stephens, Chief Executive of Cumbria Tourism, endorsed it, saying that the event “showcased those businesses that are prepared and are already delivering a world-class visitor experience”.

After the ceremony, Chris Carss said: “Well done to all the team at Rothay Garden, and also to our loyal guests, many of whom stay with us three or four times a year and contribute enormously to the ambience and welcome we’re able to offer to new visitors”. Since 2008, Chris Carss has spent over £3 million on re-developing the hotel, creating new Loft Suites, garden and riverside suites and bedrooms, a brand new Garden Restaurant, and “the jewel in the crown”, the new Riverside Spa.  The hotel has been awarded four stars and two rosettes by the AA and is out-performing the marketplace in both occupancy and average rate achieved.

Pictured (L to R) are:  BBC's Jon Gaunt (compere), Chris Carss, Julian Troup (Colliers International) and Elliott Waugh. 

Further information, photographs or press facility visits from:

Martin Evans - tel. 07702 912938 – email martin@thetourismbusiness.com
Rothay Garden Hotel, Broadgate, Grasmere, Cumbria LA22 9RJ - www.rothaygarden.com