THREE IRISH hotels - two of them in Mayo - have been singled out for praise in the 2009 Condé Nast Johansens hotel awards.
Ashford Castle in Cong, Co Mayo; Knockranny House Hotel in Westport, Co Mayo; and Kelly's Resort Hotel Spa in Rosslare, Co Wexford, all won awards for excellence at the annual event in London on Tuesday night.
Kelly's Resort won the Most Excellent Family Hotel award.
The judges said the hotel had "an exceptional understanding of the importance of families enjoying time away, engaging the children in activities and also giving parents time and space in which to relax".
Knockranny House was a joint winner of the Condé Nast Readers' Award with the Lakeside Hotel in Cumbria.
The judges cited the "outstanding service" at Knockranny House, which "undoubtedly comes from very strong management and is now so ingrained in everyone that it has become a second nature".
They also highlighted a year of "outstanding guest comments pertaining to the warmth and professionalism of the staff".
In addition, the judges noted, "ongoing development of the restaurant and bedrooms mean that this delightful lakeside property makes a very deserving winner".
Ashford Castle was a joint winner of the Most Excellent Waterside Hotel award with the Tides Reach Hotel in Devon.
The judges said Ashford Castle offered "sheer luxury to the discerning traveller".
They added that "the management's commitment to perfecting service and investment in training has resulted in a year of outstanding guest comments pertaining to the warmth and professionalism of the staff".
More than 1,300 hotels, resorts, spas and meeting venues in 67 countries are recommended by the six Condé Nast Johansens 2009 hotel guides just published.
The awards are now in their 27th year.
They are based on responses from guest nomination forms, guest survey reports and regional inspector reports drawn from hotels featured in previous guides.
