AA Hospitality Awards 2026 Reveals Top UK Winners

The 2026 AA Hospitality Awards recognised leading hotels, inns, and B&Bs across the UK and Ireland on 21 September 2026 at JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London [2]. The Emory took AA Hotel of the Year for London, Calcot & Spa won England, and Firmdale Hotels secured Small Hotel Group of the Year during an event marking the 70th anniversary of the AA Rosette scheme [1].

Which properties took the regional Hotel of the Year titles?

The Emory secured the title of AA Hotel of the Year for London, leading the regional hotel categories across the United Kingdom [1]. In England, Calcot & Spa picked up the regional Hotel of the Year honours [1]. Crossbasket Castle in South Lanarkshire won the Scotland category, while Porth Tocyn Hotel in Gwynedd claimed the Wales award, according to Boutique Hotel News [1]. In Northern Ireland, Culloden Estate & Spa in County Down took home the top regional accolade [1].

Who won the group and operational team accolades?

Firmdale Hotels claimed the award for AA Small Hotel Group of the Year [1]. Team operational performance was evaluated across distinct property scales, as shorttermrentalz.com noted [2]. Knockendarroch Hotel & Restaurant in Pitlochry received the Small Hotel Team of the Year award [1]. St Ermin’s Hotel in London won Large Hotel Team of the Year [1].

Which venues triumphed across specialised accommodation and dining?

Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa in St Andrews earned the Spa Hotel of the Year title [1]. Environmental and operational responsibility went to Malmaison & Hotel du Vin, which collected the AA Sustainable Award [1]. In destination dining and character lodging, Lys-Na-Greyne in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, was named AA B&B of the Year [1]. The Penny Bun in Otley received Inn of the Year, and House of George W. Davies in Broadway was named Restaurant with Rooms of the Year [1].

Who took the top individual hospitality awards?

David Morgan-Hewitt of The Goring won the Lifetime Achievement Award [1]. Adam Terpening, charity director at Room to Reward, received the Outstanding Contribution Award [1]. In the culinary ranks, Adam Byatt of Trinity Restaurant in London was named AA Chefs’ Chef of the Year after being selected directly by peer AA Rosette-holding chefs [1].

What milestone did the 2026 awards ceremony mark?

The 2026 event marked the 70th anniversary of the AA Rosette award, which launched seven decades ago to recognise culinary excellence [1]. Close to 1,000 hospitality professionals and guests attended the gala at London’s JW Marriott Grosvenor House on 21 September 2026, as reported by shorttermrentalz.com [2]. Simon Numphud, managing director of AA Hotel & Hospitality Services, stated that the awards exist to honour properties delivering exceptional standards across the UK and Ireland [1].