Finest Welsh Hotels & Restaurants Celebrated at the AA Hospitality Awards 2024

The UK’s hospitality elite gathered at JW Marriott Grosvenor House last night for the highly anticipated AA Hospitality Awards 2024, an event that has become the benchmark for excellence in the industry. Hosted by AA Hotel & Hospitality Services, the star-studded evening was presented by BAFTA-nominated television and radio broadcaster Angellica Bell, widely recognised for her winning victory on Celebrity MasterChef. The night celebrated the most outstanding hotels, spas, restaurants, overall Inns and B&Bs, alongside with the people who drive them forward.

Attended by 900 guests, the event highlighted the very best in British hospitality, honouring achievements across 16 award categories. Key awards included AA Restaurant of the Year, AA Hotel of the Year, and the AA Sustainable Award, reflecting the industry’s commitment to innovation, quality, and environmental responsibility.

AA Chefs’ Chef of the Year, sponsored by Wellocks, is the ultimate accolade for any Chef.

This unique award recognises an outstanding chef for their dedication to their craft. A much sought-after accolade, this award gives all AA Rosette-awarded chefs the power to decide who truly deserves the ultimate recognition for their outstanding performance over the past year.

Tom Aikens’ triumphant win comes after twelve talented chefs were shortlisted for 2024, representing the very best of the UK’s culinary landscape. Tom has restaurants in four different countries, has published three cookery books, is a TV regular, and supports several charities. Cooking at the highest level since the age of 26, he is clearly one of the very best UK chefs, so it’s no surprise his peers have voted him as the AA Chefs’ Chef for 2024.

Winners 2024

• Tom Aikens triumphs as AA Chefs’ Chef of the Year
• The Parkgate Hotel (Cardiff), The Ebrington Hotel (Londonderry), Cromlix (Stirling), Down Hall Hotel & Spa (Bishop’s Stortford) and The Dorchester (London) crowned AA Hotels of the Year
• Loch Bay Restaurant (Isle of Skye), Thomas by Tom Simmons (Cardiff), The Greyhound (Buckinghamshire) and The Silver Birch (London) named AA Restaurants of the Year
• 27 hotels awarded AA Rosettes and AA Red Stars, with 3 new 5 AA Rosette Restaurants awarded to Woven by Adam Smith, The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant and Angel at Hetton

The Parkgate Hotel’s General Manager, Damien Martin, said: “Winning Hotel of the Year for Wales from the AA means a huge amount to our team because these awards are so highly respected within the industry. This is a fantastic achievement within three years of opening our doors to welcome the first guests to The Parkgate Hotel.

“The whole team are committed to exceeding guest expectations and delivering exceptional hospitality and being recognised with this award is an amazing endorsement. The Parkgate Hotel is still a relatively new venue but we have established very high standards which we are always striving to improve upon.”

Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media, expressed his pride in the resilience and creativity shown by the UK’s hospitality sector in 2024: “This incredible celebration is a true testament to the strength and innovation within our industry. The dedication and excellence demonstrated by all the hospitality teams have been nothing short of inspiring. Congratulations to all the winners, nominees, and new Rosette holders for their remarkable contributions.”

The AA introduced the renowned star rating scheme for quality in 1908 and have continued to shine a well-deserved spotlight on individuals and establishments who consistently deliver excellence to their guests. The AA Hospitality Awards, now celebrated as the pinnacle of recognition in the industry, have once again showcased the innovation, dedication, and brilliance that define the UK’s hospitality landscape. As the stars of hospitality continue to rise, these awards have cemented their place as the ultimate authority in recognising excellence, setting the gold standard for hotels, restaurants, inns and B&Bs across the country. This year, the AA is celebrating 116 years of recognising excellence in hospitality.