Discover all the winners from the AA Hospitality Awards 2022
Meet the UK’s top hotels and restaurants of the year
Every year, we recognise the best hotels and restaurants in the UK across twenty-six categories. Hosted by TV presenter Gabby Logan, the 2022 event was held at Grosvenor House in London on 26 September 2022.
Congratulations to all of the 2022 winners on their fantastic achievements. Now, let's meet the UK's top chefs, restaurants and hotels.
AA Chefs' Chef
Mark Birchall
Chef Patron, Moor Hall, Aughton, Lancashire
Born in Chorley, Lancashire, Mark trained at Runshaw College. Previously Executive Chef of L’Enclume, Mark won the Roux Scholarship in 2011.
Since opening five years ago, Mark Birchall has established Moor Hall as one of the UK’s best restaurants, achieving five AA Rosettes, and an additional three AA Rosettes for the Barn. Mark has created a true international foodie destination here, and his cooking offers a very modern take on British flavours, where the natural freshness of the produce is paramount.
AA Restaurants of the Year
England
Socius, Burnham Market, Norfolk
London
Wales
Scotland
AA Hotels of the Year
England
Grantley Hall, Ripon, North Yorkshire
London
Pan Pacific London, London EC3
Wales
Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, South Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
AA Restaurant with Rooms of the Year
England
The Angel at Hetton, North Yorkshire
Wales
Crug Glâs Country House, Solva, Pembrokeshire
Scotland
AA Spa Hotel of the Year
Lime Wood, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, England
Lime Wood’s Herb House Spa is a superb, perfectly designed spa with a wonderful relaxed and calm feel. Inspired by its forest surroundings in the heart of the New Forest, its signature spectacular Sauna and indoor Hydro pool have superb forest views.
Designed over three levels, it features a 16 metre ozone treated indoor lap pool with glass doors overlooking the garden, a Mud House, a steaming outdoor hot pool, eight spacious single treatment rooms and two magnificent double treatment rooms.
AA Hotel Group of the Year
This litter of brilliant hotels have successfully and carefully expanded over the last few years to create a truly impressive group. All the Pigs have achieved AA Red Stars and deliver excellence in all aspects of hotelkeeping.
Each Pig has its own unique identity and puts the kitchen garden at the very heart of the operation. Each hotel uses local food and beverage suppliers in line with their 25-mile menu ethos – reducing food miles and packaging.
AA Small Hotel Group of the Year
A stunning portfolio of luxury properties whilst individually standout hotels in their own right. From one of the original country house hotels Chewton Glen and its trail blazing treehouses, the historic Cliveden, the reinvigorated Lygon Arms, and its two elegant London townhouses 11 Cadogan Gardens and Mayfair.
High standards and expectations have been maintained by clear, ongoing investment in both the physical product and importantly its people. Hospitality and service are very much part of the group’s DNA and core.
AA Accessible Award
Rudding Park, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
An 'accessible to all' ethos encapsulates Rudding Park’s approach, combining great investment in high quality accessible facilities with an all-important totally inclusive attitude across its team.
Training for all team members is driven by a number of accessibility champions, that have specific disability and sensory awareness training and experience.It has clearly put an enormous effort and emphasis into making every aspect of its hotel, spa and leisure facilities to be accessible by all.
AA Sustainable Award
Swinton Estate, Masham, North Yorkshire, England
Sustainability has been an integral part of Swinton Estate and its hotel for many years and forms a key part of its ethos and values.
Long-term sustainable policies very much highlight this across all the critical areas of carbon, waste, conservation, and community. It has embraced heating technology at early stages be it Biomass utilising chip from its own woodlands for the whole hotel and air source heat pumps for its holiday cottages.
AA Food Service Award
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, London W1, England
Finalists:
AA Wine Award
England and Overall winner
The Vineyard, Newbury, Berkshire
Wales
The Fernery at the Grove, Narberth, Pembrokeshire
Scotland
AA College Restaurant of the Year
Senara Restaurant, Truro & Penwith College, England
Finalists:
The Brasserie, Milton Keynes College, England
The Classroom, Cardiff & Vale College, Wales
AA Lifetime Achievement Award
John Williams MBE
A native of South Shields, John Williams began his career as an apprentice at the Percy Arms in Northumberland but set his sights on the capital from an early age.
He joined The Savoy Group in 1986, spending time in the kitchens both at The Savoy and Claridge’s. In 2004 he arrived at The Ritz, where he is Executive Head Chef of all culinary operations, and where he won four AA Rosettes. He was named AA Chefs' Chef in 2017.
AA Outstanding Contribution Award
Northcote: Obsession, Langho, Lancashire, England
Originally created by Craig Bancroft and previous chef patron Nigel Haworth, Obsession has now celebrated an incredible 20 years.
From its humble start back in 2001, it featured 4 gastronomic evenings with chefs Terry Laybourne of 21 Queen Street, Nigel Haworth of Northcote, Phil Howard at the Square and Nick Nairn of Nairn’s. It has now grown to spread over 15 days each January and invites chefs from around the globe to take over the kitchens at Northcote and create an inspired, unique Obsession menu.
AA Housekeeper of the Year
Diane Payne from Rockliffe Hall in Darlington, County Durham
Diane is a highly experienced Head Housekeeper and has led the team at the AA Five Red Star Rockliffe Hall for over five years. She heads up a team of 35 housekeepers to deliver the highest housekeeping standards which we have regularly observed on our annual inspections.
Diane was instrumental in the hotel achieving various Covid accreditation including the first hotel to achieve GBACC STAR accreditation.
