Embargoedfor releaseat 2300on Sunday28 April 2013

Stationhotel leavesrivalsin its trackson hospitality's goldennight

It was a Grand night at Scottish hotels biggest event of the year as Glasgows Grand Central picked up the hospitality industrys top honour. Opened in 2010 after a 20 million refurbishment, the Grand Central Hotel won Hotel of the Year at the Scottish Hotel Awards which celebrated their 10 th anniversary at a gold-themed gala dinner. Judges praised the Grand Centrals management and service excellence, business performance and continuing investment this year in further expansion of the hotel and its Champagne bar situated next to Glasgow Central railway station - the busiest in Scotland. Gary McLean Quin, Chairman of Judges, commented: There were again many strong contenders for Scottish Hotel of the Year but the Grand Central stood out because of its all-round performance, passionate leadership, staff management and wise future development. It was great to see the old building re-open a few years ago and its plans are marvellous for Glasgow. In 2012 the Grand Centrals General Manager, Laurie Nicol, was named Manager of the Year. The event at the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow was attended by almost 500 hoteliers and guests. Scottish Government Minister for External Affairs and International Development Humza Yousaf, a Glasgow MSP, helped present the top awards along with 2014 Commonwealth Games mascot Clyde. Calum and Rachel Ross, who own and run Loch Melfort Hotel at Arduaine near Oban, were named Hoteliers of the Year. Set in 17 acres of gardens and beach on the coast of Argyll, the 25 bedroom hotel looks out to the islands of Islay, Jura and Scarba.

More hotels took part in the Awards than ever before, ranging from Michelin starred to budget establishments, Gary McLean Quin added. These awards focus mostly on people excellence and people management. Bill Burnett of the Holiday Inn Aberdeen West received the Manager of the Year Award. Rising Star Hotelier of the Year was named as Jody Marshall of Ballathie House on the banks of the River Tay at Kinclaven, near Perth. Owners Laurence and Katie Mackay collected the Country House Hotel trophy for Tiroran House on the Isle of Mull. The Small Country House Hotel Award went to the Pierhouse at Port Appin on the shores of Loch Linnhe. Lady Claire Macdonalds Kinloch Lodge at Sleat on Skye was voted Most Romantic Hotel, with Anne Gracie and Ken Gunns Toravaig House a few miles away named Island Hotel of the Year. Celebrated hospitality expert Shirley Spear, one of the 43 judges, helped present the hotel food and chef awards. Chef of the Year went to Michael Simpson of Culloden House near Inverness with the Chefs Team Award going to Raemoir House at Banchory, Aberdeenshire. Restaurant of the Year was awarded to Hadrians at The Balmoral in Edinburgh while F&B Hotel of the Year was The Caledonian Waldorf Astoria in the capital and the F&B Group title went to Costley & Costley of Ayrshire. The New Hotel category went to the limited service concept Tune Hotel opposite Edinburghs Haymarket station. There was rapturous applause when the Isle of Arran - cut off from the outside world by snowstorms and gales for several days last month - was named Destination of the Year. In a great night for the island, the Douglas Hotel at Brodick took home the Boutique Hotel of the Year trophy and the Glenisle Hotel at Lamlash, which has views over to the Holy Isle and Ayrshire coast, won the Seaside Hotel category. The Scottish Hotel Awards scheme is by far the most comprehensive in operation in Scotland. It includes thousands of guest feedback nominations, peer reviews by leading industry experts, travel writers, food critics and full-stay judging and interview visits. Other Awards included:

Budget Hotel - CitizenM, Glasgow Luxury Hotel - Inverlochy Castle, Torlundy, Fort William Business Hotel -- Jurys Inn, Glasgow City Hotel - Hilton Garden Inn, Aberdeen City Centre Rural Hotel - Inver Lodge, Lochinver, Sutherland Events Hotel - Grand Central, Glasgow Spa Team - One Spa at the Sheraton Grand, Edinburgh Wedding Hotel - Balbirnie House, Markinch Family Hotel - Crieff Hydro

ENDS

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