Spotlight on Derry at NIHF Housekeeping Awards
Bishop’s Gate Hotel Named Runner Up in Under 90-bedroom Category
More than 100 hospitality professionals recently gathered to celebrate excellence in housekeeping within the sector at the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation (NIHF) Housekeeping Awards 2018.
Sponsored by Tourism Northern Ireland, Bunzl Rafferty Hospitality, Ecolab, Robinson Services, Linencare and Respa Beds, the awards were presented to finalists and winners across two categories. The gala ceremony hosted by Q Radio’s Stephen Clements had an ‘in the pink’ atmosphere and took place at Hilton Templepatrick on Wednesday 14 March 2018.
Tara Lodge (Belfast) and Belmore Court & Motel (Enniskillen) were voted joint winners in the under 90-bedroom category with the runner up named as Bishop’s Gate Hotel in Derry. In the over 90-bedroom category, the Fitzwilliam (Belfast) scooped this top accolade with the runner up named as Holiday Inn (Belfast City Centre).
For Tara Lodge, who retained the title for the fourth year, this is a significant achievement.
Congratulating the winners and those awarded runner up prizes Gavin Carroll, President of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation (NIHF) said:
“This is a great result for all of our winners. This competition is now nine years old and it has gone from strength to strength. One of the main reasons that we launched the initiative was to recognise the key role housekeeping plays in a successful hotel. We were delighted to receive an exceptional number of entries this year. This is an indication of the desire within the industry to have premium standards recognised.
“For joint winner, Tara Lodge, this is the fourth year that they have held the title. They are a real exemplar for the smaller hotel category. Also, we are delighted to have an Enniskillen winner, Belmore Court & Motel, in this category and representation from Derry-Londonderry with Bishop’s Gate Hotel named runner up. The stellar line up is completed by the teams from Belfast with the Fitzwilliam Hotel topping the field in the large hotel category alongside Holiday Inn, Belfast City Centre, a very worthy runner up”.
The competition is designed to highlight housekeeping as a profession and to showcase the excellent staff in hotels. Gavin adds:
“It is a real commitment to enter and allow yourself to be judged in a competition of this nature, particularly as contestants underwent a series of somewhat gruelling tasks. All shortlisted finalists received a surprise on-site inspection as part of the competition. This year’s judges commented on the exceptionally high levels of professionalism, adding that standards have risen considerably since we started the competition in 2010.”
Thanking sponsors and judges, Janice Gault, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation (NIHF) says:
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the judges who gave up their valuable time to participate in the various stages of the competition. In addition, I want to recognise the support we received from a number of sponsors including Tourism Northern Ireland, Bunzl Rafferty Hospitality, Ecolab, Robinson Services, Linencare and Respa Beds. Without their assistance staging this event would not be possible.”
