The Twelve Hotel has won yet another major tourism award in recognition of the quality and hospitality of its staff. The AA Courtesy & Care Award 2018 was presented by Brendan Nevin, CEO of AA Ireland at a prestigious ceremony in Dublin on Wednesday evening (25th April).
A member of The AA’s Hotel Inspectorate commented: “Located just ten minutes west of Galway city, this hotel looks as if it has been on the site for decades. However, once inside the decor is striking and contemporary. The bedrooms come in a number of different sizes, but all are furnished with taste and with guest comfort in mind. The Pins is a vibrant and popular bar and bistro where food is served throughout the day. West Restaurant opens during the evening, and features fine dining from a well-compiled menu of local and seasonal produce. Le Petit Spa offers treatments based on seaweed products.
On awarding the top honour, The AA’s Director of Consumer Affairs Conor Faughnan, said: “To win the AA Courtesy & Care award the staff must be highly attentive and offer only the best service to their customers. The team at The Twelve Hotel are a great example of this kind of dedication to providing a memorable guest experience. Furthermore, the team truly embody wake makes the Irish hospitality industry such an asset to Ireland, which is why we are delighted to be presenting them with this award.”
On accepting the award, General Manager Fergus O’Halloran said: “It’s fantastic to accept the AA Courtesy & Care Award on behalf of the team at The Twelve. We like to think that we offer something a little different at The Twelve and customer service is at the centre of everything we do. Everyday, our team pass this sign on their way in: “The Twelve is not just another place, it is a way of life. It is the spirit that emanates daily your life at The Twelve. It is the spirit of service and hospitality, the spirit of team work made by you whom enter these doors.”
“I am blessed to work with an incredible like-minded bunch of people and I am honoured to call them friends. Whether guests are dining in West Restaurant, making pizza in Pizza Dozzina, popping in to The Pins for a pint of Stout 1 or checking in to get away from it all for a while, the team and I want them to feel at home. We’re thrilled that all the hard and genuine west of Ireland welcome has been noted by the AA, it’s a great achievement for every member of my team.”
The AA’s top award of AA Hotel of the Year 2017 went to Ballyfin Demsne, Ballyfin, Co. Laois.
The AA uses highly trained and experienced inspectors to personally visit every AA accredited hotel, guesthouse and Bed & Breakfast establishments. The assessments of the standards of hospitality, service, cuisine, facilities and staff are the most exacting in the industry. Winners are selected in recognition of excellence in service and hospitality, as well as a clear demonstration of continuous improvement in the preceding 12-18 months.
Other major award winners at the AA ceremony this evening were:
AA Hotel of the Year: Ballyfin Demesne, Ballyfin, Co. Laois.
The former Patrician Brothers’ school in Ballyfin, Co Laois has been lavishly restored by Chicagoan Fred Krehbiel and his Irish wife Kay.
Although the property on 600 acres, was sold in May 2002, it was August 2008 before the school finally closed. Painstaking restoration took place from then until the Estate opened as a 5 * hotel in May 2011.
The renowned landscape designer Jim Reynolds (Butterstream, Co Meath) was taken on board as Managing Director to oversee the refurbishment, reputed to be in excess of €40 million.
AA Guest Accommodation of the Year: Aldridge Lodge, Duncannon, Co. Wexford
Since opening in 2005, Billy Whitty’s & Joanne Harding’s Aldridge Lodge has received numerous awards and critical acclaim. This small restaurant and guest accommodation is holder of a prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand since 2007, two AA Rosettes for food since 2016, 4 AA Stars for the guest rooms and has won many Food and Wine Magazine awards and Sunday Independent Life Magazine awards to mention but a few.
