Ross-on-Wye’s Wilton Court is one of the venues in the running for this years prestigious Visit Herefordshire Awards for Excellence, the hotel has been shortlisted in the ‘Best Guest Attraction’ category.

Having won various awards over the years, Wilton Court is a strong contender for the Visit Herefordshire award. Their local awards include ‘Restaurant of the Year’ at the Forester Business Awards, and they were Commended in the Discover Ross awards. They also received awards many times when the Flavours of Herefordshire was running.

Wilton Court’s owners, Helen and Roger Wynn, who have been running the hotel for 16 years, are thrilled to be nominated for these new awards.

They are among the ?29 finalists in this competition which aims to celebrate the county’s brilliant, and unique, tourism businesses.

Organised in partnership with the Visit Worcestershire Awards, a total of 108 entries were received, including 55 from Herefordshire.

The Visit Herefordshire Awards for Excellence celebrate the county’s tourism businesses and all the finalists will be invited to a grand Awards Ceremony at Eastnor Castle on Tuesday, September 20th.

“It’s fantastic to be shortlisted,” Helen told the Ross Gazette, “we want to attract clientele from all age groups, and being nominated for this award gives us the opportunity to do that.” Helen added that she is particularly looking forward to the Awards Ceremony, as it is being held in such a lovely venue.

Wilton Court Hotel now has its first ground floor bedroom, complete with a stylish and modern ensuite. Helen told the Gazette: “People want to stay in a character building, but sometimes this isn’t possible without lift access, which is why we’ve created a ground floor room to accommodate all of our guests.” Other renovations include a front of house bar and the library room; complete with stunning stained-glass windows and log burner. This new room offers a more cosy and intimate setting for its guests, and is a popular spot for predinner drinks, said Helen.

A perfect combination of both antique and modern furnishings, the hotel’s restaurant and bedrooms have a particularly fresh quality about them, making the hotel an ideal location for those looking for a place to stay with both character and flair. The restaurant is constantly busy, and often fully booked, the hotel received its first Christmas booking earlier this week.

Helen told the Ross Gazette:?“Wilton Court’s success is due to the dedication, commitment, and hard work of the hotel’s staff.”

“We couldn’t do it without our staff, we have such a good team.”

By Jade Beard, Work Experience student