You are here: Home > Media > Press Releases > Winchester's Lainston House Hotel heads for national tourism glory!

Winchester's Lainston House Hotel heads for national tourism glory!

Lainston House Hotel near Winchester, Hampshire has been named as amongst the best in England having been shortlisted for the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2007.

The luxury country house hotel has reached the final stage of VisitBritain's annual 'Oscars' for English tourism, in the Small Hotel category.

Lainston House Hotel won its category in the 2006 Tourism ExSEllence awards, run by Tourism South East, going on to the national awards. Winners of the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2007 will be announced on April 18.

Tourism South East managing director Robert Collier said:

"We're delighted that Lainston House Hotel has shone on the national stage, reaching the last stage of such prestigious awards. It is an indication of the commitment to quality, excellent service and innovation and I am sure that the hotel has a great chance of taking an overall winner's award."

Lainston House Hotel was named Small Hotel of the Year for the South East in last year's Tourism ExSEllence Awards, being described by judges as a hotel which "exudes quality without stuffiness, with friendly staff, enormous attention to detail and a real desire to get local produce on the menu."

The hotel's bedrooms were described by the judges as being "of the very highest standard, where space was well utilised to give a luxury feeling...beds and bathrooms are enormous." Special praise was given to the hotel's dining experience, which features extensive use of local produce.

Judges also highlighted the hotel's outstanding facilities and support for guests with disabilities; a real commitment to sustainability and the environment (including recycling and energy-saving initiatives); and a thorough and ongoing investment in staff training and development, including an ongoing 'Customer Delight' programme. Ongoing and innovative investment in its facilities and exceptional customer care demonstrated by all staff were also cited as being key to the hotel's high ratio of return guests.

The Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2007 celebrate the best of English tourism. Now in their 18th year, the Awards are known throughout the industry as the 'Oscars' of tourism. They promote healthy industry competition and high standards, helping to ensure England's place as a world-class destination. There are twelve different categories, from visitor attractions and hotels to self-catering accommodation and caravan parks. Entries are submitted to the regional tourism partners, including Tourism South East and then shortlisted to the national finals, culminating in the Awards ceremony in April.

Media contact for further information, pictures, interviews etc:
David Rose at Tourism South East on 023 8062 5464 or 07843 270554, email: drose@tourismse.com

Note to Editors: Tourism South East is the strategic tourism body for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and
West Sussex
.