This award is designed to recognise and reward providers of services such as meals, sea crossings, event tickets and accommodation. We were looking for those suppliers who have made outstanding efforts to accommodate, attract, and welcome coaches, their drivers and their passengers.

This year, the award was divided into four categories, covering:

• Hotels and Catering
• Theatre and Venue Ticketing
• Tour Wholesaling
• Sea Transport/Water Crossing

This page covers the first of these, looking at Hotels and Catering.

Results

Winners: Rezidor - Park Inn

Park Inn is a fast-growing fresh and innovative mid-market brand with 24 hotels in the UK and hotels across Europe and the Middle East. The chain believes in providing a great affordable hotel experience within its class. Rooms are functional, comfortable and practical.

Groups are very welcome at all hotels with great group rates, and at most hotels free coach parking is available. Keycards are ready as the group/coach arrives and are given out as the guests alight the coach. Receptionists are ready to deal with any guests requiring extra pillows or any other things they may need.

The judges were impressed that all hotel staff have undergone training in how to meet and greet coach parties and groups, also that there is a nominated person at each hotel who is responsible for this and arranging porterage. This clearly shows commitment to the coach and groups market and deserves recognition.

Runner Up: Menzies Hotels

Highly Commended: Hilton Hotels

Who could be nominated?

This category was open to:

• hotels and hotel chains
• restaurants and restaurant chains

… and by whom

Coach operators were asked to nominate providers of services they have admired during the last 12 months.

They were asked to explain why they think the nominated service provider deserves this award – this will cover such matters as:

• the ease of booking
• the flexibility and quality of customer service during the enquiry and booking stages
• the welcome provided on the ground to
  • the coach
  • the passengers
  • the driver