Evening Chronicle

Passionate About Tourism

Hilton Hotel Proud to Host Awards

The Hilton NewcastleGateshead is proud to support the North East Tourism Awards. This hotel would not be here if it hadn"t been for the work of many of our finalists developing and promoting the tourism product in the region. However since opening we like to think that we have played an important role in growing the tourism economy, particularly through business conferencing.

Showcasing Quality

AS CHAIRMAN of the North East Tourism Advisory Board I am delighted to introduce this special North East England Tourism Awards supplement which celebrates the best the region's tourism industry has to offer. The Tourism Awards not only reward business performance but also shine the spotlight on those people within the industry who strive to make North East England one of the most exciting and diverse visitor destinations in the country.

Silver

Bronze

WENDY CLARKE Hartlepool's Maritime Experience Wendy is said to always put the customer and needs of the Maritime Experience before herself. She has extended each visitor experience by creating games, quizzes and demonstrations around the attraction. Wendy regularly stays late or delays her lunch break to ensure that visitors don't feel rushed and that they always have someone on hand who can answer questions.

Gold

STUART BURGLASS Newcastle Marriott Stuart was described by judges as a true hospitality professional. He is the face of the hotel and goes out of his way to provide excellent customer service to everyone he comes into contact with. He is a former miner who spent 14 years working in pits in Northumberland.

Silver

KRIMO'S RESTAURANT - Marina, Hartlepool. This restaurant is based at the re-developed Hartlepool marina and has spacious ground floor dining area with aspects to three sides. The cuisine is based on Mediterranean and North African dishes with a number of traditional European meals thrown in. Judges were impressed with great views, friendly and attentive service and comfortable setting.

Bronze

WHITE ROOM AT SEAHAM HALL Seaham. County Durham. Judges said that cooking at this fine dining restaurant is 'sophisticated modern British'. They commented that head chef Kenny Atkinson takes seriously the connection between local provenance and the results on the plate. The restaurant is based in the award- winning Seaham Hall Hotel and has a limited menu at a set price.The restaurant was described as delightful and staff were praised for being well trained. Lunch was described as being of ve...

Gold

Silver

Bronze

EAT! NEWCASTLEGATESHEAD This event advocates the wide pleasures of creating and sharing good food and drink and also explores the many ways in which food touches lives. The festival explores everything associated with food from fishing and beekeeping to high-end food in award-winning restaurants. Artistic director Simon Preston believes the event is unique as thee is nothing else in the world with the same range. He says the event is about getting people to re-evaluate their relationship with...

Gold

BUPA GREAT NORTH RUN The world's biggest half marathon first saw runners take to the streets in 1981 and has grown in size and status ever since. The event brings pounds 22m to the region each year and generates free advertising to the value of pounds 9m. Around 70 per cent of runners are from outside the region. Runners make their way from Newcastle, through Gateshead and then on to South Shields. The fact that world-class athletes and celebrities also attend contribute to the event being br...

Gold

GATESHEAD MILLENNIUM BRIDGE Gateshead When designers were given the brief to create a pedestrian and cycle bridge linking Newcastle and Gateshead, with the proviso that the river must still be navigable to big ships, the seeds for the world's first tilting bridge were sown. The bridge has become an icon which attracts people to see it undertake its 4-minute tilt. The bridge has become such a big draw that it now tilts regardless of whether a ship needs to pass underneath it.

Silver

HALL HILL FARM Lanchester, County Durham This farm allows families the chance to explore a working farm and learn more about animals. Judges were impressed with the number of activities that families could get involved in both indoors and outdoors. The judges said that on arrival they were made to feel welcome and there were good levels of staffing. Judges praised the website saying it was well designed, easy to navigate and had good use of images. Judges were given a leaflet providing an ove...

Bronze

Gold

Silver

HILTON NEWCASTLE/GATESHEAD Gateshead, Tyneside Coming a very close second place behind Gisborough Hall was the Newcastle/ Gateshead Hilton. Another four-star hotel, this 254-bedroom facility is set on the banks of the Tyne and judges were impressed with its natural vantage point overlooking the Quayside areas.

Bronze

WHITE SWAN HOTEL Alnwick, Northumberland Judges who visited this three-star hotel were, on the whole, positive but said the venue was let down by a lack of attention to detail. The former coaching inn has been recently refurbished and judges praised the bedrooms, describing them as attractive, spacious and comfortable. They also praised the staff saying they encountered a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Bronze

SEAHAM HALL HOTEL & SERENITY SPA Seaham, County Durham Judges felt a little let down by their stay at this five-star hotel which also holds a Michelin star for its restaurant. The hotel was praised for its luxurious and relaxed ambience. The spa was highlighted for its wide range of facilities and treatments although the hydro jets in the pool and the steam room were out of order during the reviewer's stay. Staff in the Spa were criticised for being more interested in other duties than assist...

Silver

LANGLEY CASTLE Hexham, Northumberland This four-star hotel is based at a 14th Century castle and found favour with judges but was let down by a couple of minor points. Set in a 10-acre woodland, it is popular with weddings.