Milton House named UK’s Friendliest B&B
Run by Blessing and Gibson Mutandwa, Milton House beat off Allanson, Rains Farm beat off competition from 25 other finalists which had all been nominated by the AA’s team of hotel inspectors, who inspect and rate over 2,600 B&B establishments.
Speaking shortly after yesterday’s award ceremony, held at the St Ermin’s Hotel in London, the Mutandwas said: “We are thrilled to have one this award. It is wonderful to be recognised for all the hard work and attention to detail we put in to making guests feel welcome at Milton House.”
The awards presented at the annual ceremony included guest accommodation for England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and London as well as the awards for Funkiest Bed and Breakfast and Friendliest Bed and Breakfast.
Simon Numphud, AA Hotel Services Manager, said, “The AA Bed and Breakfast Awards is a great way for us to recognise and reward the dedication and hard work of B and B owners throughout the country.”
AA Guest Accommodation of the Year for England 2013
- Low Mill Guesthouse, Bainbridge, Yorkshire
Low Mill Guesthouse, run by Jane and Neil McNair, is a converted mill with its own working water wheel and mill. It’s rooms are decorated with unusual fixtures and fittings and home-cooked meals, bread and biscuits are prepared from fresh local produce.
“We are stunned,” said the McNAir’s. “After only being in the business for 18 months we are very proud and amazed to receive this lovely award. It makes all the hard work worth it and inspires us to keep getting better.”
AA Guest Accommodation of the Year for Scotland 2013
- Ardtorna B&B near Oban
With views of Loch Creran, Ardtorna is a purpose-built, eco-friendly property. Owners Sean and Karen O’Byrne offer a gourmet breakfast menu and the property has its own archery range with expert tuition from Sean, a former Longbow World Champion.
“We are both honoured and delighted to be the recipients of such a prestigious and coveted award from the AA,” they said. “It gives us a great deal of pleasure to welcome guests to our home and let them experience West Highland hospitality in a beautiful, peaceful location.
We would like to thank all our valued guests for their support since we opened our doors in 2010.”
AA Guest Accommodation of the Year for Wales 2013 - Llwyn Helyg Country House, Llanarthne, Carmarthanshire
Located midway between Carmarthen and Llandeilo, Llwyn Helyg Country House is eet in three acres of landscaped grounds on the site of an old ruin. Each room is designed using marble, granite and the property also features a therapy room, kitchen for cookery courses and dedicated ‘Listening Room’ with a state of the art music system.
Owners Caron and Fiona said: “We are delighted and honoured to receive this award from such a respected association as the AA.”
AA Guest Accommodation of the Year for London 2013
- The Windermere, London SW1V
The Windermere is a family-run business with Nicholas and Sylvia Hambi, who have been running the hotel since 1987, now joined by daughter Emily. With 19 rooms over five floors, the Hambi family has maintained the hotel’s original features - many of which were lost during the Blitz.
Emily Hambi said: “We feel truly honored to have been awarded AA Guest Accommodation of the Year for London 2013. This means a great deal to us, given the high standard of competition in this great city.
“We wish to share this award with our wonderful team and all our loyal guests. We promise never to give up on our commitment to excellence.”
AA Funkiest Bed and Breakfast of the Year 2013
- Who’d A Thought It, Grafty Green, Kent
Who’d A Thought It, in Grafty Green, is a highly individual establishment providing modern rooms each with its own unique style. The glamour of each room is epitomised by their champagne names and come with four poster or round beds.
Owner Joe Mallett said: “This award is gratefully received affirmation that our vision of uniqueness and eclectic style is appreciate and enjoyed. More importantly, it inspires us to continue driving to be the best, the most pleasurable and the funkiest B&B that we can possibly be.”
