Longueville Manor wins hospitality Oscar

Monday 11 July 2016

Jersey’s Longueville Manor has won the ‘Hotel of the Year – Independent’ award at The Cateys 2016. This accolade heralds them as the best independent hotel throughout Great Britain.

The Manor, which is also the only AA 5 Red Star property in the Channel Islands, picked up the prestigious award at a glittering ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on Tuesday, July 5.

Presented by Mark Lewis, publisher of the Caterer, and well-known television presenter Claudia Winkleman, the Cateys cast a spotlight on the industry’s highest flyers, strongest performers and best brands.

The Relais & Châteaux Longueville Manor is the only hotel in the Channel Islands to be recognised at this year’s prestigious event. The award for ‘Hotel of The Year – Independent’, sponsored by Sky, has highlighted Longueville Manor’s unparalleled quality, representing the best standards not only in Jersey but also throughout the UK. One judge commented that her visit to Longueville Manor was “without question my best hotel stay for many, many years.”

Finalists in this category also included Cedar Manor Hotel and Restaurant, Windermere, Cumbria and Yorebridge House, Bainbridge, Yorkshire.

High standards prevailed throughout all 22 award categories, spanning the hotel, restaurant, food service, pub and bar industries.

More than 120 judges from across the industry were involved to ensure the judging process was completely robust.

Judges for the ‘Hotel of the Year – Independent’ award included Gary Baldwin, senior hotel and restaurant inspector and area manager for AA Hotel and Hospitality Services, Melvin Gold, Managing Director at Melvin Gold Consulting, Claire Randall, Managing Director at Lucknam Park, Simon Rhatigan, Managing Director at Devonshire Hotels and Restaurants and Andrew Thomason, Managing Director at Gravetye Manor.

Malcolm Lewis, Proprietor of Longueville Manor, said: “It’s no secret that everyone at Longueville Manor is dedicated to delivering the highest quality service and standards and winning the Catey award is huge testament to our incredible team. Everyone at Longueville Manor is a key ingredient to our success, including Pedro Bento, our managing director, who is well known and loved by our guests for his continuous dedication and passion. Our executive chef Andrew Baird has also been paramount in gaining Longueville Manor’s reputation, for over 20 years he has worked to build our culinary reputation and provide award-winning cuisine.

“I consider this award as a defining moment in Longueville Manor’s history. In 1949 my family took over the manor in a state of disrepair and now four generations have had a hand in its revival. It’s a huge accomplishment and honour to be aligned with so many spectacular people who represent the industry’s highest achievers.”

Claire Randall, Managing Director of Lucknam Park and a Cateys judge said: “Step into Longueville Manor and you enter an oasis of calm and elegance where as a guest you are cocooned by warmth and genuine care and hospitality in pristine surroundings. Without exception, the team are passionate about service excellence – you feel you are at the very core of their existence.”