Polizzi, director of design at Rocco Forte Hotels and deputy chairman of the company, picked up the Independent Hotelier of the Year award at the awards ceremony at the Independent Hotel Show at London's Olympia last night.
The hotelier, who also owns Hotel Tresanton in Cornwall and Hotel Endsleigh in Devon, beat five other finalists to the award which asked registrants to the Independent Hotel Show to vote for those on the list which had been nominated by industry figures and show partners.
She said: “Our business is not an easy one and I am particularly proud to win this award from the Independent Hotel Show. It is a lovely award to achieve, especially because it has been voted for by so many people in all areas of our business - hoteliers, manufacturers and suppliers. It is a real plus to know that I have been acknowledged and I am delighted.”
Outstanding New Hotel
Hotel Gotham's general manager Jeff Ward was at the show to pick up the award for Outstanding New Hotel. The hotel in Manchester, which only opened its doors in April beat Dormy House Hotel & Spa in Broadway, The Coach House at Middleton Lodge in North Yorkshire and London hotels Artist Residence, The Beaumont and Great Northern to the prize.
Now in its third year, the Outstanding New Hotel Award, recognises independent, luxury and boutique hotels that have been opened or relaunched within the last three years with the winner 'showcasing the pinnacle of innovation and inventiveness within the sector.'
Ward said: “Receiving this award is probably the biggest pat on the back for a job well done. I came into the team back in November and we opened in April. We've just won the best award I could have won in such a short period of time”