Oddfellows, Chester, picked up the Small Hotel of the Year award at Marketing Cheshire’s Annual Awards. The city centre, design-led boutique hotel was transformed in 2012 after a multi-million pound overhaul.
2013 also saw Oddfellows become the only Cheshire hotel to become a part of the Mr and Mrs Smith portfolio, and the only hotel outside of London to be shortlisted in the Restaurant and Bar Design Awards for Best Restaurant or Bar in a Hotel.
The Marketing Cheshire Annual Awards ceremony recognises the exceptional work delivered by the businesses and professionals which work in the local tourism and hospitality industry.
The judges comment on Oddfellows’ award win: “This hotel had clearly undergone a complete change in provision and focus and it is reflected in the improved performance. The comparative occupancy figures show that the hotel has undergone a significant improvement in performance under its new management regime. The judges were impressed with the training programme that is in place and, in particular, the thorough introduction programme.”
Oddfellows will now automatically be entered in the Visit England Awards for Best Small Hotel.
Manager Sarah Dougherty says: “We were so pleased to win this award, and mostly because we were praised for our transformation of Oddfellows from a restaurant and bar with rooms to a stunning boutique hotel that sits happily amongst some of the best in the country.
“Our guests love our sense of fun in our design and service, but lots of serious work goes into offering an experience that will captivate and inspire – this award is great recognition of this.”
