Receptionist Winners 2025

The winners of the 2025 NIHF Receptionist Awards have been revealed. After months of deliberation, the awards were announced by compere, Kim Kelly, at a glittering awards ceremony on 21st May at The Ebrington Hotel, Derry-Londonderry.

The winner of the ‘Reception Team of the Year’, supported by Net Affinity, was Tara Lodge in Belfast. Shipquay Boutique Hotel in Derry-Londonderry was awarded second place and The Ebrington Hotel in Derry-Londonderry claimed third place.

Meanwhile, the winner of the ‘Most Promising Receptionist’ category was Nataniel Rahn from Crowne Plaza Belfast. The runner-up was Ellie Darcy from Killeavy Castle Estate in Newry. The ‘Most Promising Receptionist’ category was supported by Tourism Northern Ireland.

The ‘Receptionist of the Year’ award went to Mairéad McGahan from Shipquay Boutique Hotel in Derry-Londonderry. The runner-up was Shannon Donaldson from The Fitzwilliam Hotel in Belfast and third place went to Leah Clarke from Ten Square Hotel in Belfast. For the first time ever, the competition also awarded two Highly Commended accolades to Lauren Ferguson from Harpers Boutique in Belfast and April Colquhoun from Maldron Hotel Derry. The ‘Receptionist of the Year’ category was supported by Guestline.

Reception Team of the Year supported by Net Affinity

• Winner: Tara Lodge, Belfast      
• Runner-Up: Shipquay Boutique Hotel, Derry-Londonderry
• Third Place: The Ebrington Hotel, Derry-Londonderry     

Most Promising Receptionist supported by Tourism NI  

• Winner: Nataniel Rahn, Crowne Plaza Belfast            
• Runner-Up: Ellie Darcy, Killeavy Castle Estate, Newry        

Receptionist of the Year supported by Guestline

• Winner: Mairéad McGahan, Shipquay Boutique Hotel, Derry-Londonderry       
• Runner-Up: Shannon Donaldson, The Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast 
• Third Place: Leah Clarke, Ten Square Hotel, Belfast
• Highly Commended: Lauren Ferguson, Harpers Boutique, Belfast 
• Highly Commended: April Colquhoun, Maldron Hotel Derry

Thank you to Tourism Northern Ireland, Guestline, Net Affinity, Derry City & Strabane District Council, Insight6 and Life Adventure Coompany for their support. Thanks to the Ebrington Hotel for the awards night and also to the Clayton Hotel for hosting the assessment day.

Photos from the Assessment Day can be viewed here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCgpsT

Photos of the Dinner and the award winners can be seen here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCgrBj

The video of the Assessment Day can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/YmJNwz8f3jE