Reception Winners 2014

02 May 2014

Derry-Londonderry is celebrating its year as a city of music and high notes were certainly hit as receptionists from throughout Northern Ireland gathered for this year’s Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year gala awards ceremony. The competition, organised by the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, is in its eleventh year and has gone from strength to strength since its inception. It had over 95 entrants in 2014.

Mandy Patrick, President of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation said, “This event is a showcase of what is best about the hotel sector. The Hotels Federation recognises that people are an integral part of our success. The hotel receptionist has a unique role to play and is the main point of contact for our guests. A major part of a hotel’s success rests with the people in this competition. Without their contribution we could not give the guest the excellent experience they are looking for.”

The winner of the title of Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year 2014 was Peter Reid of the Bushmills Inn Hotel. This is the first time there has been a male overall winner. Peter was described by the judges as having excellent sales skills, carrying out tasks with a quiet confidence and displaying a great approach to problem solving. The runner-up was Rachel Lennon from the Premier Inn Belfast City Centre with third place going to Chantelle McCallion of the City Hotel Derry.

The winner of the Most Promising Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year was Lesley Woods from the Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast. This is awarded to receptionists who have been in the role under a year. The runner-up in this category was Tyler Stothard of the Best Western Plus White Horse Hotel.

The team category, sponsored by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, went to the Belmore Court and Motel, Enniskillen. It was certainly sweet music for the Belmore with a double celebration as the property won the title of Housekeeping Team of the year 2014 last month. A clean sweep all round!

UTV’s Pamela Ballantine compered proceedings at the awards dinner, which was held in the Best Western Plus White Horse Hotel on Wednesday 30th April 2014. The NIHF, was joined on the evening by supporters, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Derry City Council, Diageo and Frost Couture.

List of Winners 

Hotel & Guesthouse Reception of the Year sponsored by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board

Winner: Belmore Court & Motel
Runner-up: Benedicts Hotel, Belfast
Third Place: City Hotel Derry

Recognising the achievements of the whole reception team.

Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year

Winner: Peter Reid, Bushmills Inn Hotel
Runner-up: Rachel Lennon, Premier Inn Belfast City Centre
Third Place: Chantelle McCallion, City Hotel Derry

Most Promising Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year

Winner: Lesley Woods, Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast
Runner-up: Tyler Stothard, Best Western Plus White Horse Hotel

Recognising those in the role for less than one year.