The winners were revealed in an evening ceremony at the Independent Hotel Show in London’s Olympia on 21 October.
The nominees were selected by a judging panel, before members of the public were invited to vote for the winners.
Owner of Firmdale Hotels Kit Kemp said: “It feels fabulous to win; I can’t believe we really have.
“To win an award like this I think you’ve just got to stick by your guns and believe in what you’re doing. Don’t let anyone along the way tell you that you’re wrong, have a belief and a vision of what you want to achieve. Don’t make it cookie-cutter, don’t copy anyone else, just do your own thing.”
Hotel director at The Pig on the Beach Lora Strizic said: “Winning the award feels absolutely overwhelming.To know that people like not only what we do but how we do it. To get this sort of recognition within the first three to four months of opening the hotel is just outstanding, for the team and all of us.
“It takes passion and hard work to win an award like this. Be honest, put in the hours and look after your staff and guests as you would expect to be looked after.”
The shortlist for Independent Hotelier of the Year included:
- Craig Bancroft and Nigel Haworth, Northcote Manor
- Kit and Tim Kemp, Firmdale Hotels
- Mark Sainsbury, Michael Benyan and Jason Catifeoglou – The Zetter and Zetter Townhouse
- Ian Schrager, Ian Schrager Company
- David Levin, The Capital Hotel
- Tim Hart, Hambleton Hall and Harts
The shortlist for Outstanding New Hotel of the Year included:
- Chiltern Firehouse, London
- The Lord Crewe Arms, Blanchland, County Durham
- Ham Yard Hotel, London
- No 131, Cheltenham
- The Pig on the Beach, Studland, Dorset
- The Wild Rabbit, Oxfordshire