THE owners of Cherrybrook Hotel near Two Bridges are 'over the moon' at winning the 'Warmest Welcome' award for the third time, writes Ann Parsons.
The award is organised by the Dartmoor Tourist Association to raise awareness among visitors that Dartmoor is a good place to stay and that a warm smile awaits them.
Moira Bawden from the DTA said visitors nominate accommodation for the award in writing and this year around 50 letters were received — more than in past years.
The establishment with the most nominations is the winner and it was a close-run thing, but Cherrybrook Hotel emerged victorious yet again. The results are normally published in March, but this year were held over until the moor was open.
Andy and Margaret Duncan have been running Cherrybrook Hotel for 12 years and Margaret said they were 'over the moon' at having won the award for the third year in a row.
'We are very lucky. We have lovely guests and lovely staff. The staff deserve the award as they give 110 per cent,' said Margaret. 'They are very warm and friendly and we are one big family — a team.'
Margaret was pleased that this year there were more hotels nominated by a larger number of people. 'It shows the DTA is doing well,' she said.
The hotel was quite severely affected by the closure of the moor, but they took the decision to stay open and keep their staff on throughout the crisis, although they were penalised financially for doing so.
'We painted and decorated and did spring cleaning to keep the staff occupied as there was hardly any custom. Business has gradually come back and the phone is ringing more now, so we are hopeful for the future' Margaret said.
l The writer of the best letter of nomination received a prize of £100, which went to a family from London which nominated the youth hostel at Bellever.