Devon has been recognised nationally this week in both the Visit England Tourism Awards and the Travellers’ Choice Hotels™ with Exceptional Service Awards.

On Monday night Devon picked up two Gold, one Silver and four highly commended awards in the Visit England Tourism Awards. Devon had more finalists than any other county.

Gold Awards went to The Old Rectory Hotel for Small Hotel of the Year and to the Calvert Trust in Exmoor for the Access for All Tourism Award with Countryside Mobility gaining a highly commended in the same category.

Exmoor businesses won two Gold Awards one to The Old Rectory Hotel for Small Hotel of the Year and the other to the Calvert Trust in the Access for All Tourism Award. Countryside Mobility gaining a highly commended in the same category.

“We are absolutely overwhelmed to have been awarded the Best Small Hotel in England Gold Award. We feel it really is one of the most prestigious tourism awards out there with extremely tough criteria and even tougher competition. This was our first time entering these awards and this fantastic result is real recognition for our vision and for our brilliant team of staff.

We are especially pleased that the award will help to put Devon, and our quiet corner of Exmoor in North Devon on the map.” Huw Rees, Co-Owner, The Old Rectory Hotel The Calvert Trust also picked up a highly commended in the Tourism Experience Award and there was a Silver Award for the English Riviera Tourism Company for Visitor Information Provider of the Year.

River Cottage’s Plymouth Canteen picked up a Highly commended in the Taste of England Award and The Arundell Arms secured a highly commended in Business Tourism Now it has been revealed that Devon is the biggest winning county in Trip Advisors Travellers’ Choice Hotels™ with Exceptional Service awards with five hotels securing awards, two more than London.

The county’s victorious hotels include; The Elmdene, Torquay, Gidleigh Park, Chagford, Shelley’s in Lynmouth, Martinhoe’s The Old Rectory Hotel and Yeoldon House Hotel in Bideford.

Carol Gibbs, Co-owner of The Elmdene, Torquay said, “We’re so thrilled to be recognised for the work that we do to ensure our guests have the best stay possible.

For us, giving great service is about offering that personal touch.We try to give our guests the whole package by getting to know what they want individually and we’re truly delighted that it’s both noticed and appreciated.”

These awards highlight once again that Devon is the ideal tourist destination.

Carolyn Custerson, Visit Devon Chair said ‘Devon should feel very proud of their tourism industry. Facing stiff competition Devon tourism businesses continue to be rated as some of the very best in the country winning more and more awards. This is fantastic positive national publicity after the challenging start to 2014.’