The applause for the winners of the East of England Tourism Awards 2022-2023 at the celebration event held at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall earlier this year was phenomenal – but what do the awards mean to the winners?
We spoke to two of them to find out.
Large Hotel of the Year
Sponsored by Ensors Chartered Accountants
Winner: Down Hall Hotel, Spa and Estate, Hatfield Heath, near Bishop's Stortford, Essex
Linden Beattie, the general manager of Down Hall Hotel, Spa and Estate says its success at the Tourism Awards is a huge boost to the entire team.
It was a glorious achievement for the hotel which has seen a rolling programme of refurbishment and updates in recent years, with work to maintain its strong sense of history while ensuring a luxury experience and top class environment for guests.
Set in Hatfield Heath, near Bishop’s Stortford, the history of Down Hall can be traced back to at least the reign of Edward the Confessor in the 11th century.
The current 19th century Italianate mansion has 98 rooms, many with panoramic views over its well-kept gardens. Guests love not only the extensive woodland, parkland and landscaped gardens and the elegant luxury interior with ornate ceilings, beautiful furnishings, artwork and natural light, but the welcoming team and dining and spa experiences. It has 14 private dining and meeting spaces, from small boardrooms to function rooms for up to 200 guests.
A rolling programme of investment has seen improvements to many areas of the hotel, restaurant and spa. Recent work has included refurbishing the bar, a restaurant and lounge to extending the south-facing terrace to a glorious 120 feet.
Overlooking the formal gardens and pond, the terrace is loved by guests to relax in the sunshine whether attending a meeting, wedding, the spa or staying at Down Hall.
Various rooms and another restaurant are being updated plus significant behind the scenes investment continues. Linden says returning guests who haven’t visited for a while have been absolutely delighted: “They are amazed at the transformation.”
There have been personnel structure changes too and recruitment has seen more than 100 employees join the team in the past year.
“The team culture is so good,” he says, adding that staff are not only proud of their department but step up to help wherever needed.
Everyone is delighted with the award, which has pride of place in reception.
“We are massively proud of it.
“When we were shortlisted we were thrilled, but to win, all the team was so happy. It really is down to the team, it is not one person or one department, but it recognises every department.”
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Sponsored by Howes Percival
Winner: Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, Leavesdon
There is an exciting summer ahead at Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, explains Geoff Spooner, SVP and general manager.
“We continue to refresh the experience with special features and expansions to continue to deliver a world-class experience for our visitors.”
The fresh Discovering Hogwarts theme includes a whole hat full of treats for visitors. During the feature, people will see the atmospheric Great Hall lit – for the first time since filming – with floating candles, thanks to some clever trickery from the special effects team.
They’re part of the over 300 employees at the attraction, who include teams such as visitor experience, interactors, admissions staff, marketing and retail, said Geoff.
Discovering Hogwarts offers the chance for people to try their hand at the famous Wingardium Leviosa spell and discover how Robbie Coltrane’s huge half-giant character Hagrid was brought to life.
There are breath-taking Wizarding World sets to wander from the Great Hall and Forbidden Forest to Diagon Alley, Gringotts Wizarding Bank and Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse.
It’s a chance to explore the iconic props, admire the phenomenal original costumes and of course see the original Hogwarts Express locomotive that transported hundreds of students from Platform 9 ¾ to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the film series.
Plus, there’s a Golden Snitch hunt, puzzles and trivia, and souvenir stamps to collect in the free Discovering Hogwarts Activity Passport available to pick up on arrival.
Visitors to the Warner Bros Studio Tour London office can spot the prominently displayed award too.
Geoff Spooner added: “The award is displayed pride of place in our reception for all office visitors to see.”
He said the award was an accolade for all: “It’s fantastic for our team to be recognised for the incredible experience they deliver. They work hard to consistently exceed the expectations of our visitors and our staff are testament to the Studio Tour’s continued success.”
The East of England Tourism Awards 2023-24 will launch in July 2023. For details, see tourismawards.co.uk
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