Receptionist of the Year 2019

Receptionists from throughout Northern Ireland gathered for this year’s Hotel Receptionist of the Year gala awards ceremony in Hilton Templepatrick on 2nd May 2019

The competition, organised by the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, is in its sixteenth year and has gone from strength to strength since its inception. Gavin Carroll, President of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation said, “Within the tourism industry, people are an integral part of business success. Delivering a warm welcome is just one aspect of creating a memorable experience for visitors. Guests also expect a professional service. They want queries responded to in a prompt manner and they need to be able to draw upon the knowledge of the receptionist who should be able to signpost them to various services or amenities.

“This event provides an opportunity for those working in the sector to showcase their people. As the hotel receptionist is often the first point of contact for visitors, they can dramatically influence a hotel’s success. Without their commitment to delivering exceptional customer service the sector as a whole could not generate repeat business, through providing guests with the excellent experience they are looking for.”

The winner of the title of ‘Hotel Receptionist of the Year 2019’ supported by NIHF was Micheal Farrell, Bishop’s Gate Hotel.

The winner of ‘Most Promising Hotel Receptionist of the Year 2019’, supported by Net Affinity, was David Goodwin, Titanic Hotel Belfast.

The team category title of ‘Hotel Reception of the Year 2019’, which was sponsored by Tourism Northern Ireland and Right Revenue went to Bishop’s Gate Hotel. 

Gavin Carroll concludes: “I would like to congratulate all of our winners. On a daily basis they deliver a standard of service that contributes to profiling Northern Ireland to international guests and visitors.”

The Federation would like to thank the sponsors without whom this event would not be possible. Thank you to Tourism Northern Ireland, Net Affinity, Shopper Anonymous, Right Revenue and Life for their support. Thanks to Hilton Templepatrick for hosting the awards night and also to the Wellington Hotel for hosting the assessment day.

Hotel Reception of the Year
Supported by Tourism Northern Ireland and Right Revenue
Winner: Bishop’s Gate Hotel
Runner-up: Causeway Hotel
3rd Place: Belmore Court & Motel  

Most Promising Receptionist of the Year
Supported by Net Affinity
Winner: David Goodwin, Titanic Hotel Belfast 
Runner-up: Donna Stafford, Ibis Belfast Queen’s Quarter

Receptionist of the Year
Supported by NIHF 
Winner: Micheal Farrell, Bishop’s Gate Hotel
Runner-Up: Sammy Bulgatz, Grand Central Hotel Belfast
3rd Place : Emer Gallagher, Shipquay Boutique Hotel