England’s Best Large Hotel

Late last month, Matfen Hall near to Newcastle upon Tyne became the “Best Large Hotel” in England in the 2006 Enjoy England Awards for Excellence. At the national awards ceremony at Madame Tussaud’s in London they won the Gold Award in the “Best Large Hotel” category and a Silver Award in the “Business Tourism” Category. Matfen Hall a member of Classic British Hotels was the only establishment to win two awards. They are also the only hotel in the 14 year history of these tourism Oscars to have ever won both the large and small hotel categories. They won “Best Small Hotel of the Year” in 2002 and as a result of a £5 million expansion in 2004 have grown up to become “Best Large Hotel 2006″.

The facilities at Matfen Hall include 53 bedrooms, two golf courses, state of the art Golf Academy, 7 conference rooms and extensive spa and leisure facilities. To win this Gold Award they beat off stiff competition from throughout the UK demonstrating to the judges their excellence in customer care, accommodation, service, caring for the environment, staff development and training. On presenting the award the judges commented: “Matfen Hall meets every expectation of an outstanding large hotel while managing to retain great attention to detail.”

On hearing that they had been awarded the gold award Mr David Hunter, Director and General Manager of Matfen Hall said: “I am absolutely delighted. This is a huge accolade not just for Matfen Hall, but for all of our staff, the owners and for the North East region as a whole. We always try to exceed the expectations of our guests. Our committed and enthusiastic team of staff work extremely hard at providing the highest standards of customer care to match the excellent facilities that we offer.”

Sir Hugh Blackett, Matfen Hall’s owner said: “It is a fantastic recognition for the staff and management many have been with us since the hotel began. We are thrilled to be recognised both regionally and nationally and hope that it will encourage many more people to visit North East England.”

Describing why he felt the judges had given the hotel this prestigious award David Hunter believes that individuality is at the root of their success. “We may have won ‘Best Large Hotel’ however the hotel has retained its old identity. Often when hotels become large they lose their unique, personal touch. I put our winning formula down have our ability to meet each individual customer’s requirements and the needs and of individual markets.”

Since the opening of their £5 million development Matfen Hall has won a handful of awards which have included:
· Best Large Hotel in North East England
· Business Tourism Award for North East England
· Conde Nast Johansens Most Excellent Venue Hotel
· Most Considerate Independent Hotel in the UK

Matfen Hall may be the largest independent country house in North East England; it may have the only spa in the world with Versace Body Treatments, however, last night it became the “Best Large Hotel in England” .ENDS…………

MATFEN HALL HOTEL

Owned by Sir Hugh and Lady Blackett, Matfen Hall is the largest independently owned four star hotel in the North East. Set in its own grounds and parkland, it is located in Northumberland, 20 minutes drive from the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne and 15 minutes drive from the A1 and Newcastle International Airport. Facilities include:
· 53 bedrooms including suites and four poster rooms
· 178 staff
· 2 AA Rosette Library and Print Room Restaurant
· 7 meeting rooms including the purpose built conference suite
· Private dining rooms
· Drawing Room
· Conservatory bar
· Landscaped gardens

SPORTS AND LEISURE FACILITIES
Golf
· 18 hole championship standard Matfen Hall Golf Course.
· 9 hole par 3 golf course.
· Brand new Golf Academy, driving range and practice ground.
· Golf club house.
· Golf shop, bar and restaurant.
The Spa
· First spa in the world to offer Versace body treatments.
· 5 treatment rooms which includes a two person treatment room.
· Indoor 16m swimming pool
· “Fire and Ice” experience, designed specifically for Matfen Hall
· Treatment menu is, unusually, all Italian.
· Juice bar
Leisure
· Gym has the most up to date “Technogym equipment” of any independent gym in the United Kingdom.
· Each fitness console equipped with own entertainment system.
· Aerobics studio

Website www.matfenhall.com

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