The award winning Bishop’s Gate hotel in Derry, which was unveiled as one of the UK’s top 25 rated hotels by TripAdvisor earlier this year, is celebrating its first birthday.
Within the hotel’s first year of trading it has exceeded both occupancy and business targets. Ciaran O’Neill, operator of Bishop’s Gate and President of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation discusses the initial projections and how these have been surpassed:
“At Bishop’s Gate, delivering the best accommodation, food and service is our priority and we work tirelessly to provide experiences that exceed expectations whilst positioning ourselves as one of Northern Ireland’s leading destinations. This approach has paid off. Within our first year, we have exceeded the occupancy levels projected in our business plan and we are currently employing almost twice the number of people that we anticipated. We set out to create 48 jobs and we’ve created 76.
“In the month of March, as we celebrate our first year of trading, we will have welcomed over 12,000 visitors. Our amazing team is committed to excellence and this is reflected in the comments and feedback we receive. Visitors have described the food experience as ‘a fantastic eatery’ while the sensitively restored, exuberant Edwardian surroundings have regularly been termed a ‘fantastic overnight luxury stop’.”
Bishop’s Gate Hotel ranked second in TripAdvisor’s UK top 25 rated hotels in the annual Travellers’ Choice awards just weeks before celebrating its first birthday.
The hotel has also won a host of other local awards since it officially opened. Stephanie McCarron won ‘Hotel Receptionist of the Year – Most Promising Hotel Category’ at the Hotel Receptionist of the Year Awards and the team scooped third place in the ‘Hotel Restaurant of the Year’ awards, organised by NI Hotels Federation.
The hotel was also voted ‘Hideaway of the Year’ in a leading hospitality guide, announced by Georgina Campbell, one of Ireland’s leading food and hospitality writers.
Ciaran explains the importance of the awards: “These accolades are testament to our incredible staff who are committed to delivering a genuine welcome to all of our guests.
“Everyone strives to ensure every visit is special, whether it is a formal occasion such as a wedding or simply friends enjoying lunch or afternoon tea in The Wig & Gown Champagne Bar & Grill. Attracting many international visitors, The Gown is fast becoming a destination restaurant.
“These awards show that Bishop’s Gate is at the top of the industry. We look forward to continuing to deliver the highest quality standards that our guests expect.”
The exquisite Grade B1 listed Bishop’s Gate Hotel is perfectly positioned within the historic city walls in the heart of Derry City’s Cathedral Quarter.
Built in 1899, this hotel blends stunning Edwardian architecture, stylish appointments and luxurious facilities which have been sensitively restored to pay homage to the rich heritage of the building, whilst exceeding the contemporary needs and desires of its guests.
A week of promotional activities within the hotel to mark the first birthday will culminate in “An Evening With Palais Swing Band” on Saturday 11th March 2017.
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