The Best of the Best in Northern Ireland Hotels and Guest Houses

The team at the Belmore Court and Motel, Enniskillen, won the title of Reception of the Year at this year’s Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year gala awards ceremony. It was double delight of the team at the Belmore, who also won the housekeeping team of the year title in March. The Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year competition is organised by the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation and is in its eleventh year. The award is supported by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Its aim is to highlight the importance of the role of the reception team, reward the best in class and highlight excellence in guest service.

Mandy Patrick (NIHF), Terry McCartney, Michelle McCaffrey, Carolyn Boyd (NITB), Angie McDaniel and Samantha Munton

Mandy Patrick, President of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation said, “The Hotels Federation recognises that people are an integral part of our success. The hotel receptionist has a unique role to play and is the main point of contact for our guests. A major part of a hotel’s success rests with the people in this competition. Without their contribution we could not give the guest the excellent experience they are looking for.”

The win by the Belmore Court and Motel is the first for Fermanagh and Terry McCartney, Managing Director of the property said, Our mission at Belmore Court and Motel is to make the guest the number one priority and all the team are dedicated to making this happen. I am extremely proud of everyone in the organisation now that our team holds the awards for both Best Housekeeping Team and Best Reception Team in Northern Ireland..”

A number of individual categories were also awarded on the evening. The title of Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year 2014 went to Peter Reid of the Bushmills Inn. This is the first time in the competition’s history that there has been a male overall winner. The runner-up was Rachel Lennon from the Premier Inn Belfast City Centre with third place going to Chantelle McCallion of the City Hotel Derry.

The winner of the Most Promising Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year was Lesley Woods from the Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast. The runner-up in this category was Tyler Stothard of the Best Western Plus White Horse Hotel.

UTV’s Pamela Ballantine compered proceedings at the awards dinner, which was held in the Best Western Plus White Horse Hotel on Wednesday 30th April 2014. The NIHF was joined on the evening by supporters, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Derry City Council, Diageo and Frost Couture for a glamorous evening in the Maiden City.

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Notes for Editors

Hotel & Guesthouse Reception of the Year sponsored by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board

Winner: Belmore Court & Motel

Runner-up: Benedicts Hotel, Belfast

Third Place: City Hotel Derry

Recognising the achievements of the whole reception team.

Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year

Winner: Peter Reid, Bushmills Hotel

Runner-up: Rachel Lennon, Premier Inn Belfast

Third Place: Chantelle McCallion, City Hotel Derry

Most Promising Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year

Winner: Lesley Woods, Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast

Runner-up: Tyler Stothard, Best Western Plus WhiteHorse Hotel

Recognising those in the role for less than one year.

Background

The Northern Ireland Hotels Federation successfully re-launched the competition in 2004. The event has been very well received within the sector and currently recognises excellence in three distinct categories.

The competition aims to recognise the attributes and skills of the reception function and has been reinstated after consultation with the sector and keen interest from the hotel trade. The competition also seeks to recognise international standards and competitiveness within the hospitality sector.

This award previously ran for over 20 years and was recognised as a leading accolade within the hospitality sector. The last ten years have seen the award receive significant attention from the public, press and industry including applications from over 95 hopeful contestants this year.

More Information

For further information please contact Janice Gault, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Hotels Federation:
Tel: 028 9077 6635   Mobile: 07799711960  Email: janice@nihf.co.uk