The 3* new Cheltenham hotel, Holiday Inn Express, has been awarded Hotel of the Year in the Silver Category by Cotswolds & the Forest of Dean Tourism. This prestigious award was bestowed after consideration to hundreds of Cotswolds hotels in the region. Furthermore, Intercontinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG), the largest hotel group in the world, has also awarded the Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham with a ‘Quality Excellence’ Award which recognises its achievements in guest satisfaction and excellent standards. This new Cheltenham hotel is also up for the IHG ‘Hotel of the Year’ and ‘General Manager of the Year’ award which will be announced in Cairo later this month.

The nominations highlighted this hotel in Cheltenham as a key contributor to both the local and business community. This Cheltenham hotel has supported local community initiatives such as charity fundraising and sponsorship, as well as being committed to employing and sourcing locally to be a sustainable hotel in Cheltenham.
The Holiday Inn Express was the only hotel in Cheltenham hand-picked to be recognised for its achievements and contribution within the community. The 2010 awards are co-ordinated by the local tourist board (Cotswolds and Forest of Dean Tourism) and have been agreed upon by a knowledgeable and fiercely independent group of judges.
Above all, the awards celebrate our hardworking local tourism industry in 2010.

The judges were Katie Jarvis (Guide book and Cotswold Life author); Rob Rees (The Cotswold Chef and Visit England Board Member), Shane Blackwell (Quality in Tourism (Accommodation Inspection agency)), Edward Gillespie (Cheltenham Racecourse and Chair of Cotswolds And Forest of Dean Tourism), Anne Bartlett (Blue Badge Guide), Chris Dee and Sarah Tyler – Cotswolds and Forest of Dean Tourism.

Chris Dee, Tourism Manager for Cotswolds and Forest of Dean Tourism commented: ‘Tourism in the Cotswolds is a continuing success story and these awards are our way of highlighting some of the many business who have raised standards and achieved something new for 2010′.

Ian Dick, General Manager of the Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham, commented: “It is with great pleasure to be honoured with these awards. It has taken a lot dedication and commitment to our guests to ensure we are continually improving our service standards and maintaining an excellent hotel. We plan to continue contributing to the local community next year as a sustainable and accomplished hotel in Cheltenham.”