UK’s best hotels for 2011 unveiled

TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site, unveiled the very best of British hotels in its ninth annual Travellers’ Choice Hotel awards, often dubbed the ‘Oscars of the hotel world’.

The awards recognise the best hotels around the world across categories including best budget, best luxury, best B&B and best service. Unlike any other hotel awards, TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice awards are based on the experiences of millions of travellers from around the world.

Despite good news for Britain’s B&B industry, with the UK all but dominating this global category, the same cannot be said for those hoping for a value break – not a single UK property features in this year’s European Top 10 ‘Bargain Hotels’ category, despite a favourable exchange for most travellers coming to Britain this year.

“These awards celebrate the stars of the British hotel industry,” comments Emma O’Boyle, TripAdvisor spokesperson. “Devon has performed extraordinarily this year, as have B&Bs across the entire country, but there is still work to be done to convince tourists that British hotels offer good value for money.”

For the second consecutive year, Rudding Park Hotel in Harrogate, Yorkshire has been awarded the coveted accolade of Britain’s Best Hotel. Lauded for its “impeccable service” and “wonderful setting” by TripAdvisor travellers, one reviewer even describes it as “practically perfect in every way”.

Peter Banks, managing director of Rudding Park comments on his 2011 Travellers Choice Hotel award, “We are thrilled to receive the TripAdvisor Award for Best Hotel in the UK for the second year running, proving that an independent Yorkshire hotel can match and beat the most famous names in British Hospitality”.

The second best hotel in Britain this year is The Old Rectory in Exmoor, Devon and third place goes to Boskerris Hotel in St. Ives, Cornwall.

The Boskerris has double cause for celebration after also scooping eighth place in the ‘Best Service’ in Europe category. Also victorious in this category is Abbott’s Brae Hotel in Dunoon, Scotland which was named seventh best hotel for service by TripAdvisor travellers.

As VAT rises and the budget cuts take hold, budget-conscious travellers will be disappointed to hear that not a single British hotel made it into this year’s European ‘Bargain Hotels’ list, which was highly populated with Eastern European hotels.

“The recent TripAdvisor 2011 Travel Trends research revealed that fewer Brits are planning to take a domestic holiday this year, a trend which could be attributed to the perceived lack of high-quality, low-price accommodation in the UK made clear through the Traveller’s Choice Awards,” continued TripAdvisor’s Emma O’Boyle.

The South West is another clear winner in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Hotel awards, claiming five of the top 10 UK hotels. Devon in particular should be very proud, with seven of Britain’s 25 best hotels located in the county.