Welsh Assembly Government Minister for the Economy and Transport, Dr Brian Gibbons, today congratulated tourism businesses which made the cut to the Visit Wales inaugural Gold Award list.

Aim of the Gold Award is to recognise and award outstanding quality, exceptional comfort and hospitality in the serviced accommodation sector in Wales.

Dr Gibbons, said:

"The gold award businesses exceed customer expectation and are a first class products in all respects. These businesses are making an exceptional contribution to the quality of the Welsh tourism product and they are to be commended for their efforts.

"The introduction of this award signifies that Wales is serious about raising the quality of its tourism product. I hope that these businesses will reap the business benefits of being associated with such a prestigious listing.

The list consists of 12 Hotels and 25 Guest Accommodation, the top two per cent of all Visit Wales graded accommodation. Businesses were not able to apply to be on the list, all businesses graded by Visit Wales were considered.

Those who achieved a sufficiently high quality score at their most recent grading assessment were selected for a mystery shopper testing and delivered a high standard to the mystery customer.

The Gold Award is an additional award, exclusively for businesses already part of Visit Wales star grading schemes.

Gold Winners

Hotels

Quay Hotel, Deganwy The Lake, Llangammarch Wells Ynyshir Hall, Machynlleth Egerton Grey, Porthkerry St Tudno, Llandudno Bodysgallen Hall, Llandudno Morgans Hotel, Swansea Hilton, Cardiff Cardiff Marriot, Cardiff Llangoed Hall, Llyswen Penmaenuchaf Hall, Dolgellau Osborne House, Llandudno

Guest Accommodation

The Old Vicarage, Presteigne Felin Glais, Brecon Canaston Oaks, Narberth Morgans Town House, Swansea The Drawing Room, Builth Wells Cyfie Farm, Llanfyllin The Bell at Skenfrith Coedllys Country House, St Clears Plas Bodegroes, Pwllheli The Acorns, Betws-y-Coed Canal Bank, Brecon Talybryn House, Brecon Parc yr Odyn, Pentraeth Bryn Tegid, Bala The Old Rectory, Glan Conwy Lochmeyler Farm, Solva Ael-y-Bryn, Eglwyswrw Acorn Court, Llandrindod Wells Ty Mawr Mansion, Lampeter Afon Gwyn, Betws-y-Coed Fairyhill, Gower Tanyfoel, Betws-y-Coed Tyddyn Du, Blaenau Ffestiniog Cleifiog, Beaumaris Cae’r Blaidd, Blaenau Ffestiniog

Businesses will receive a plaque signifying their achievement along with artwork for use in their own marketing activity.

All Gold winners will be listed on a dedicated page in the Visit Wales Where to Stay publications, with a similar arrangement on the Visit Wales website.

The Gold Award is valid for one year only, and will be re-assessed annually.

Gold Award winners will also be automatically considered for a National Tourism Award in the Gold Award category and shortlisting takes place soon.