A.A. (AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION) COURTESY & CARE AWARD 2013/2014

The Mayo Senior footballers came agonisingly close to victory on Sunday last, however some good news for Mayo came in the shape of the staff of Hotel Westport who scooped National recognition for their efforts, having just scooped the coveted A.A. (Automobile Association), Courtesy & Care Award for 2013/2014.

The award was presented by Minister for Tourism, Mr. Leo Veradkar at a ceremony in the Shelbourne Hotel Dublin, on Wednesday September 25^th. A delighted Hotel Westport’s General Manager, Declan Heneghan says that the staff of Hotel Westport are the most positively commented on aspect of what we are as an Hotel.

Hotel Westport Staff, September 2013

Referring to the old adage that a “building (or an  hotel in this case), is “but bricks & mortar, it is the people that make the difference” it has he says, particular meaning in this instance. Our investment in customer care training, and a dedicated objective to recruit and retain friendly people, has ensured happy guests who return to us again and again.

Speaking at the event Mr. Conor Faughnan, Director Of Consumer Affairs for A.A. Ireland said that the Award is a very personal award linked to the A.A.s motto of Courtesy & Care. The recognition is given to a select band of Hotels. It recognises that the fact that at the winning Hotel guests can be assured of politeness, kindness and above all consideration for their welfare at all times.

Chairman of the board of Directors Mr. Cathal Hughes added that “the genuine welcome, friendliness and hospitality that the staff provides is very much appreciated and valued by our guests and customers alike”.

Furthermore according to Declan, testament to this repeat custom is the fact that guests frequently ask for Hotel staff by name when booking with us, surely evidence of the courtesy and customer care they associate with Hotel Westport. A welcome outcome of this of course is a successful business, which is very much appreciated by the management and owners alike. 

 Hotel Westport

00353 98 25122

reservations@hotelwestport.ie

www.hotelwestport.ie

Top 10 Best Family Friendly Hotels in Ireland

Hotel Westport – Panda Club

FOR A THIRD YEAR IN A ROW!!!

Whilst the senior footballers of Mayo secured their 3 in a row of Connacht titles earlier this Summer, and anticipate further cause for celebration this month, the 4 star Hotel Westport is also celebrating with a trio of Primary Times Awards, for the top 10 family friendly Hotels in Ireland, secured in 2011, 2012 & for 2013 also.

The best of what the hospitality industry has to offer families is revealed in the results of this year’s Primary Times STAR Awards, as voted for by parents of children under 12 in this country.

Readers of Primary Times – the largest free family magazines & website in Ireland www.primarytimes.ie – voiced their views on the country’s most family friendly Hotels and other amenity providers and scored their favourites on customer service, facilities, choice and value for money. The results of these unique awards provide a vital snapshot of what’s important to families especially from an Hotel perspective.

The 4-star Hotel Westport is family owned, by Westport’s very own Hughes family and is one of the leading family friendly, Leisure, conference and wedding venue hotels in the Country. The Hotel already has accolades in this arena from the highly credited Georgina Campbell for 2013 also.

Hotel Westport – Primary Times Winner

Commenting on this latest achievement Mr Cathal Hughes, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Hotel Westport, said “I am extremely pleased about the continuing success at Hotel Westport.  After a very successful 2012 this award, for the third time in a row, cements Hotel Westport’s reputation as a family friendly, value for money Hotel with high standards. I’m delighted for the whole team at the Hotel.”

Declan Heneghan, General Manager of the 4 Star Hotel said “this latest National Award which is one of many this year is an outcome of the emphasis the hotel places on customer care and development of its people to deliver excellence to its guests. Our Panda Club children’s programme concepts are well known and valued by families all over Ireland. The award is testament to the team we have built up here at Hotel Westport over the years. Winning this Award three years in a row is a great benchmark for our delivery of great family Holidays. Everyone is justifiably very proud of the achievement and recognition by Primary Times.”

For more information, click the Family Offers icon on www.hotelwestport.ie

The Harbour Mill launches new state of the art website

The Harbour Mill Apartments launch new website with Minister Michael Ring

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Deputy Michael Ring, visited The Harbour Mill, Westport, on Tuesday 23^rd July 2013 to launch The Harbour Mill’s new website: www.theharbourmill.com

The day was also a celebration of The Harbour Mill’s 17 successful years in business on Westport Quay.

In her introduction to the website launch, Frances Lynn, Sales & Marketing Manager at The Harbour Mill, gave a brief history of how the apartment complex came into being.

“The Quay was an area which had lain dormant for a number of decades.  In the mid-1990s, however, two of The Harbour Mill’s , Patrick O’Mahony and Finbarr McLaughlin, had the foresight and imagination to create a luxury holiday apartment complex quite unlike anything seen before.  The Harbour Mill was born, local jobs were created for local people and the radical transformation of the Quay began.

“The last few years have, without doubt, been challenging for the Tourism industry.  But, from the very beginning, weat The Harbour Mill recognised that we were in charge of our own destiny and we confronted the challenge with steadfast determination and passion for our product.  We worked hard, adopted a competitive pricing policy and capitalised on every single opportunity that came our way.  We even adapted our business model to better suit the seasonality of our sector.

“The result?  We have increased our sales, occupancy and revenue year-on-year and we have continued to maintain our exceptionally high standards.  We have won several prestigious awards and TripAdvisor currently ranks us as the number one place to stay in Westport.  During peak periods, we have approximately 700 guests residing in our apartments at any one time, supporting and enhancing the local economy.  And we have retained our most valuable asset – our staff, many of whom have been with us from the very beginning.”

Colette Cave, General Manager of The Harbour Mill Apartments, said the new mobile friendly website, developed by OSD Web Design in Sligo, suitably reflects The Harbour Mill’s prominent position in the marketplace.

“We now have access to the latest technology which, in turn, will help us to increase the number of direct bookings via the site.  Our new Content Management System allows us far greater control over its content and the visual images more accurately portray the magnificence of Westport and the splendour of our 4-star apartments.  I would like to take this opportunity to say a very special thank you to our wonderful staff, for their dedication and commitment to The Harbour Mill.  Every single one of them contributes to the unique customer experience which has become synonymous with The Harbour Mill.”

Minister Michael Ring praised The Harbour Mill for their contribution to the tourism industry in Westport and congratulated them on the success of their new website. 

“I am very pleased to be here with you today to launch this new website for The Harbour Mill Apartments.  The apartments occupy a very significant location at Westport Quay and give a wonderful impression of Westport to visitors as they enter the town from the direction of Louisburgh and Clifden.

“The new website is very attractive and easy to use and gives a wonderful flavor of the facilities that are available at The Harbour Mill.  Allied to the upgrade of the website, I know that you have also refurbished almost all your apartments.  This forward-thinking approach is to be welcomed, particularly given the current economic conditions.  You are now geared up to enjoy further growth from our overseas markets and I wish you every success with that,” concluded Minister Ring.    

Have a look for yourself at www.theharbourmill.com

]]> https://www.destinationwestport.com/knockranny-house-hotel-wins-again Tue, 03 Sep 2013 16:49:22 +0000 http://destinationwestport.com/?p=5280

Knockranny House Hotel celebrates with two fantastic awards at the prestigious Food & Wine Magazine Awards

Knockranny House Hotel & Spa in Westport celebrates after Sommelier Nicolas Faujours was awarded Best Sommelier in Ireland and Head Chef Seamus Commons was recognised as the Best Chef in Connacht at the Food & Wine Magazine/Louis Latour Restaurant of the Year Awards 2013!

Knockranny Sommelier Nick Faujours

Now in its thirteenth year and considered the most prestigious and authoritative culinary event in the Irish calendar, the Food & Wine Magazine Restaurant of the Year Awards recognise and reward Ireland’s best restaurants and chefs. The Food & Wine Awards winners were announced at a gala luncheon at The Four Seasons on Sunday, 25th August 2013.

After being nominated firstly by the food-loving general public, the final decision of the Food & Wine Award is made by a panel of Ireland’s most respected food and wine writers and experts.

“I love living and working in this part of the world,” says Nicolas Faujours, originally from France but married to a Mayo woman and working in Knockranny for the past 4 years, “and being part of the team at Knockranny House Hotel has made this award possible for me. I’m delighted and proud to have my work and the work of all the restaurant team in La Fougère recognised by this prestigious award.”

Local chef Seamus Commons of La Fougère in Knockranny House Hotel was again named Best Chef in Connacht, making this the third year in a row he has brought this trophy back to Knockranny, an amazing record, and while Nick Faujours’ award of Best Sommelier in Ireland is the first time he has won an award of this significance, it is no doubt not the last!

“Being voted Best Chef in Connacht for the third year running is not just about me,” says Seamus Commons, “but rewards the consistently impressive levels of hard work, high standards and dedication of all the great kitchen team at here at Knockranny House Hotel.”

To celebrate Seamus and Nicolas’ win at the Food & Wine Awards, Knockranny House Hotel is holding an extra special evening on the bank holiday Sunday in October, where a wine tasting and specially designed menu will showcase both men’s talents, with overnight packages starting at €125 per person sharing, and the wine tasting and dinner on that Sunday 27th October costing €65 per person for non-residents.

Knockranny House Hotel & Spa, Westport, Co. Mayo

T: 00 353 98 28600

F: 00 353 98 28611

W:  www.knockrannyhousehotel.ie

Hotel Westport

Special reduced B&B rate for the night of the ‘Come Dine with Me’ dinner at Hotel Westport – Friday, September 21:

€39pps for a Standard Room

€49pps for a Premier Room

€20 Single Supplement

A group rate for a table of 10 to the Come Dine with Me dinner, accommodation for 10 people in two luxurious Premier Suites plus breakfast served until 11am the following morning for €890

Carlton Atlantic Coast Hotel

Two nights bed & breakfast and a Taste of Europe dinner for €189 per person sharing.

Castlecourt Hotel

Two nights bed and full Irish breakfast for €144 per person sharing

Westport Plaza

Two nights bed and full Irish breakfast for €164 per person sharing

Clew Bay Hotel

Two nights bed and breakfast €115 per person sharing

Two nights bed and breakfast, a pre dinner cocktail and a 3 course festival dinner, with locally sourced ingredients €139 per person sharing