Seaham Hall scoops the coveted AA 5 Red Star accolade

Independent five-star luxury boutique hotel, Seaham Hall, was awarded the coveted AA Inspectors’ Choice 5 Red Stars for 2019/20 at a ceremony in London last night (23 September).

The New Red Stars were presented at the AA Hospitality Awards held at the Grosvenor House Hotel. The awards, often referred to as the industry’s Oscars, were hosted by BBC television presenter, Kate Silverton and guests were treated to a delicious menu cooked by two Michelin-starred chef, Claude Bosi of Chelsea restaurant, Bibendum.

Situated on the picturesque Durham Heritage Coastline, 20 minutes’ drive from Durham, Seaham Hall is a beautiful Georgian building set amidst 37 acres of landscaped gardens in a striking cliff-top location. Dating back to 1791, the former stately home of the Milbanke family saw the marriage of Lord Byron in 1815, later became a military hospital in WW1 and then a Spey whisky smuggling den during the US Prohibition – with a tunnel entrance still visible in Seaham Hall’s wine cellar today.

The 5 Red Star award is the AA’s supreme accolade, awarded to hotels selected as the best in the British Isles, offering outstanding levels of quality, hospitality and service.

Ross Grieve, Managing Director, Seaham Hall, says: “This is a fantastic achievement for the hotel and all of our hardworking staff. The hotel has gone from strength to strength and this award truly cements its position as one of the leading British hotels, not only in the North East, but in the entire country.”

With impressive facilities throughout, Seaham Hall has recently benefited from a £3m refurbishment to its 21-suite hotel and its spacious award-winning spa. This has included several new developments and improvements, including the new Zen Garden, which features an outdoor pool with hydrotherapy jets, considerable investment in its holistic spa offerings and the introduction of three new hot tub suites, with secluded gardens and either a modern or wood-fired tub. Seaham Hall has also introduced a new restaurant concept, The Dining Room.

“Personalisation has also been key to the continued enhancements at Seaham Hall,” adds Ross Grieve. “Our customer service is individually tailored to each guest – from their pillow choice to a personal note in their suite to introduce the team who will be looking after them during their stay. It’s these little touches that ensure guests have the best possible, and most memorable, experience with us.

“We also proudly support our local area and community, through local employment opportunities and by choosing small, regional and passionate suppliers for our restaurants, The Dining Room and Ozone. We are proud that 90% of all produce is locally sourced, within a 20-mile radius of Seaham Hall, with our daily menu dictated by the premium-condition produce that our suppliers have available each day,” he concludes.

As well as working with local suppliers, which helps to limit food wastage, Seaham Hall is investing in ways to reduce its carbon footprint still further, with a variety of sustainability initiatives being developed.

To celebrate the Red Star accolade, Seaham Hall guests will experience what the hotel has dubbed ‘painting the town red’ for one week from tomorrow (25 Sept). This will include a red carpet entry for all guests when they arrive, and the front of the building will be lit up in red. There will also be red signature cocktails in The Dining Room and guests will have the opportunity to join the Red Star Club, which gives them a complimentary overnight stay on their fifth overnight booking with the hotel.

Interested in experiencing Seaham Hall for yourself?

Stay this autumn on a special break from £189 (two sharing), including one night in a junior suite, Durham Gin & Tonic in your room on arrival, use of the Serenity Spa from 12 noon on your day of arrival until 12 noon on your day of departure and a delicious breakfast served in The Dining Room.

Call Seaham Hall’s expert team on 0191 516 1400 to book, or visit www.seaham-hall.co.uk.

Press: For further information and high-resolution images, please contact  Laura Forbes (l.forbes@travelpr.co.uk) or Mischa Mack (m.mack@travelpr.co.uk), or telephone Travel PR on 020 8891 4440.