Quirky B&B in picturesque village crowned best in Scotland – and it offers a unique service
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PEW BEAUTY Quirky B&B in picturesque village crowned best in Scotland – and it offers a unique service
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A STUNNING B&B in an old church has been named the best in the country.
Tourist destinations were recently honoured at the 'Oscars of the hotel industry' with everything from luxury resorts to self-catering stars presented with gongs.
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The B&B is in Ballater, in Royal Deeside
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The Auld Kirk has personal touches, which make it the best
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The event was presented by Warren Paul and Des Clarke
The lavish Innis and Gunn Prestige Hotel Awards, was held in Glasgow's Doubletree Hotel.
And coming in top place for coveted B&B category was the Auld Kirk in Ballater, Aberdeenshire.
Built in the 1860s, the guest house - run by husband and wife team Kevin and Helen Smith - is an example of an early Victorian Scottish Free Church in the heart of Royal Deeside, within the Cairngorms National Park.
It has seven en-suite bedrooms, some with the old church's sloping roofs and round windows.
And it's the ideal base to visit the attractions of Royal Deeside, Balmoral Castle and the many gorgeous walks and climbs in the area.
Kevin and his team were overjoyed to take the title.
He said: "We are absolutely delighted to win this prestigious award in the face of such strong competition, not just from our fellow finalists, but from all of the wonderful B&Bs in Scotland who provide an outstanding guest experience every single day.
"To receive such a renowned industry award, voted for by guests and validated by a a judging panel is an acknowledgement of the hard work that the team puts in every single day...and that we must be doing something right."
Kevin reckons it's the personal touch that keeps guests coming back.
He added: "We take the time to get to know all of our guests, where they're from, what brings them to the area and how we can help them get the very best out of their time not only at The Auld Kirk, but the wider Royal Deeside area.
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"We treat each guest as a friend or family member, which we hope will want them to return time and time again."
The B&B website shows there's a comfy guest lounge in the former side chapel and they offer packed lunches for residents planning a day in the depths of GlenTannar or a hike up Lochnagar.
But the best thing, in Kevin's opinion, are the 'little touches'.
He added: "We have lots of lovely little touches - Royal Lochnagar Whisky in the rooms, fresh baked scones every morning.
"But ostensibly, we are a small business with a team of for, me and Helen, who are the owners, and Lisa and Linda, our wonderful housekeepers. This ensures the service that we provide to everyone of our guests is a personal one."
Warren Paul, who runs the awards, says the calibre of the finalists was incredible.
He said: "They're all the very best operators in Scotland, delivering amazing service and much- needed escape from the rigours of modern life.
'We all need time out to rest, recover, recharge – especially right now – so our world-class, in fact world-beating hospitality industry should be celebrated and shouted from the rooftops.
'I really wish the powers that be would support and help the hard-working people who give up their weekends, days and nights to offer the rest of us all sorts of amazing breaks and escapes.
'Whatever you want to do, you can find it in Scotland – and here tonight. From the perfect wedding hotel to the most incredible hotel bar in the heart of Glasgow's music city, country retreats, island hotels, bustling city breaks, cosy retreats for private rental, all of it.
'We have it all, Scotland really is special and the offerings in this trade are stellar."
BEST OF THE REST
THE three runners up in the B&B category:
Ardtorna, Oban
Mabie House Hotel, Dumfries
Roslyn House, Argyll & Bute
Finalists from all over Scotland attended the ceremony which was hosted by Des Clarke.
The best golf hotel was revealed as was the best value hotel in the country.
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