Skye hotels enjoy success at ‘hotel Oscars’

The owners of two Skye hotels are celebrating this week after scooping a raft of awards at the hotel Oscars. Ken Gunn and Anne Gracie, who together own Toravaig Hotel and Duisdale House Hotel in Sleat, were delighted after picking up the gongs at the Scottish Hotel Awards 2009 at a glittering ceremony in Glasgow on Sunday evening.

Duisdale, a former Victorian shooting lodge which has been transformed into a contemporary luxury hotel was named Scotland¹s Boutique Hotel of the Year and also picked up an award for its cutting edge interior design.

The Hotel Oscars, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow, were attended by hundreds of Scottish hoteliers and special celebrity guests.

Toravaig, an intimate country house hotel, was named Innovative Wedding Hotel of the Year, for its one of a kind weddings on board its luxury sailing yacht, The Solus Na Mara.

Toravaig¹s Head Chef, Banchory born Andy Lipp, also picked up a Médaille d’Or for his outstanding cooking abilities.

Anne Gracie and Ken Gunn are the owners of both hotels and for them it has been a labour of love turning them into two of Scotland¹s most successful and opulent retreats.

Anne is responsible for all of the interior design at both hotels and was delighted to have won recognition for her unusual and dramatic room settings.

Anne said: “We want to thank all of the staff at our hotels who have made this all possible. Without their hard work and loyalty, we wouldn't have achieved this."

Ken, who was captain of the Hebridean Princess cruise liner for many years before becoming a hotelier said: “We know from all the superb comments we get from our guests that we are doing something right, but it is wonderful to be recognised by the industry.”

For more information on either hotel please check out skyehotel.co.uk or duisdale.com.