These are the UK’s best hotels, pubs and restaurants according to the prestigious AA awards
From Kate Middleton's pre-wedding hotel of choice to a 300-year old inn in Bangor, these are the best places to eat, drink and sleep
THE AA has named which hotels, restaurants and pubs are the best in the UK this year.
They’ve chosen a range of both small and large establishments from across the country – based on style, customer service, food and comfort.
The company is considered one of the leading authorities in the hospitality industry and have been rating and inspecting hotels for over 100 years.
Among the winners are big-hitters like The Goring hotel in London as well as small local businesses like the tiny Bow Bar in Edinburgh.
The hotels are judged on whether they are “being outstanding examples in their particular market,” which is why the venue that Kate Middleton opted for before her wedding can sit side-by-side with the quaint 32-bed Old Inn in Bangor.
The new Elsytan Street restaurant that was opened by a two-Michelin star chef in London last year also took equal billing with a beautiful new Beach House restaurant in Swansea with amazing sea views.
So where are can you find the best hospitality in Britain this year? Read on to find out more…
Best UK hotels
Hotel of the Year, England: The Gainsborough Bath Spa, Bath
This five-star spa hotel located in the city centre of Bath was originally built in the 1800s.
The Gainsborough Bath Spa occupies two Grade II Listed buildings with Georgian and Victorian façades in the heart of the World Heritage Site.
An AA Hotel Inspector said: “With its exclusive access to natural thermal waters, The Gainsborough Bath Spa provides both a sophisticated and luxurious experience.”
Hotel of the Year, London: The Goring, London
A five-star hotel near Buckingham Palace in London with its own private gardens – it was used by Kate Middleton and her family before her wedding to Prince William.
An AA Hotel Inspector said of The Goring: “An icon of British hospitality with exemplary customer care.”
Hotel of the Year, N. Ireland: The Old Inn, Bangor
A luxury four-star hotel near Belfast that is among the oldest inns and boutique hotels in Northern Ireland and features views over Crawfordsburn Country Park.
An AA Hotel Inspector said of The Old Inn: “Behind the quaint thatched exterior of The Old Inn lies an untold elegance and grandeur.”
Hotel of the Year, Scotland: Douneside House, Aboyne
A luxurious four-star Scottish Highland country house hotel in Royal Deeside.
The building’s unusual architecture has enabled its transformation into four contemporary, architect-designed guest apartments, ranging in size from one to three bedrooms, plus extra guest cottages in the 17 acres of grounds.
An AA Hotel Inspector said of Douneside House: “The Douneside House presents customers with warm, friendly and engaging staff as well as excellent standards throughout.”
Hotel of the Year, Wales: Twr Y Felin Hotel, St Davids
Twr y Felin Hotel is a four-star art hotel in St Davids, Pembrokeshire.
It features more than 100 pieces of specially commissioned art, inspired by the St Davids peninsula and Pembrokeshire.
An AA Hotel Inspector said of Twr Y Felin: “Excellent design and presentation, with noteworthy attention to detail.”
Best UK restaurants
Restaurant of the Year, England: The Freemasons at Wiswell, Clitheroe
Situated in the Ribble Valley, Freemasons at Wiswell combines a country pub and a shooting lodge with a kitchen using the finest seasonal ingredients.
Dishes include wood pigeon, mountain hare and woodland mushroom soup.
An AA Hotel Inspector said of The Freemasons at Wiswell: “Exciting virtuoso cooking in a relaxed village inn”.
Restaurant of the Year, London: Elystan Street, London
Elsytan Street was opened by two-Michelin star chef Phil Howard in 2016.
Items on the menu include a truffled parsley soup, scorched Roscoff onion with a sauté of wild mushrooms and chicken with coco beans.
An AA Hotel Inspector said of Elystan Street: “High flying cooking delivers brilliance at every turn in a relaxed atmosphere.”
Restaurant of the Year, Scotland: The Dining Room, Edinburgh
The Dining Room is set within The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, in a Georgian townhouse.
Food is made with Scottish ingredients and includes fillet of Hake and langoustine, lamb loin, and lemon sponge. The meal can even be paired with one of their large collection of whiskeys.
An AA Hotel Inspector said: "The Dining Room’s partnership with The Scotch Malt Whiskey Society offers a dining experience steeped in French classicism.”
Restaurant of the Year, Wales: Beach House Restaurant at Oxwich Beach, Swansea
The Beach House is a newly opened restaurant situated on Oxwich Bay in the Gower Peninsula.
Dishes include black bream with smoked gazpacho, lobster with lambs sweetbreads and brown crab with flowering courgette fritter.
An AA Hotel Inspector said: “The Beach House Restaurant offers a fresh contemporary cooking style to match the fresh sea air.”
Best UK pubs
Pub of the Year, England: The Bell at Ramsbury, Wiltshire
A 300-year-old former coaching inn in the beautiful village of Ramsbury near Marlborough.
They are also part of the Ramsbury Estate with their own brewery, distillery and smokehouse.
An AA Hotel Inspector said of The Bell: “An inn with a lot to offer – including comfy rooms, a welcoming bar and a café.”
Pub of the Year, Scotland: The Bow Bar, Edinburgh
A no-frills compact local with a focus on cask beers and single malts, also selling soup and pies.
An AA Hotel Inspector said of The Bow Bar: “For any whisky or beer connoisseur, the Bow Bar is an absolute delight”.
Pub of the Year, Wales: Bryn Tyrch, Conwy
An country hotel inn across from the Llugwy River in Snowdonia National Park. The bar and bistro has views of Mount Siabod and the Snowdon Horseshoe, with staff serving a selection of Welsh cask ales.
An AA Hotel Inspector said of Bryn Tyrch: “Charming old inn with mountain views.”