A TOP hotel in Chagford has been shortlisted for the prestigious Hotel of the Year Award and is set to win either gold or silver status in the official ceremony in the spring.
The event is part of the category in the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2009, which celebrate and aim to promote and reward the very best in English tourism. It will be presented on St. George's Day — Thursday, April 23 — at The National Railway Museum in York, when the gold and silver winners will be announced.
Gidleigh Park is nominated alongside East Lodge Hotel and Restaurant and The Bildeston Crown.
Gidleigh was a gold award winner in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards 2008/09 and hopes to continue its success in the national awards, which this year celebrate their 20th anniversary.
General manager of Gidleigh Park Sue Williams said: 'We were delighted to win Small Hotel of the Year in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards. It is a real achievement to be considered on a national level.
'The team has worked hard all year so this award is a thank you for all their hard work.'
Chairman of Visit England Hugh Taylor added: 'On our 20th anniversary, we are delighted that there is such a broad range of exciting, high quality holiday experiences on offer in England.
'Each year the judging proves more and more difficult and the finalists have been chosen for leading the way in terms of innovation through continued investment, while also maintaining consistently high quality and standards in their field.'
The hotel also has a two Michelin star restaurant run by executive chef Michael Caines MBE, who is celebrating 15 years at the hotel after retaining two Michelin stars since 1999.
Gidleigh Park is renowned for its excellent standard of service with staff that continually go out of their way to ensure all guests have a memorable experience.
Its 54 acres of grounds and parkland offer beautiful views of the hotel for its guests to enjoy.