Whatley Manor wins fourth AA Rosette

On Tuesday, 2 September, at the AA Centenary awards in London, Peter Egli, General Manager and Martin Burge, Head Chef at Whatley Manor, the beautifully restored grade ll listed Wiltshire manor house hotel, received a much coveted AA Four Rosette award from the celebrity chef James Martin.

In achieving this culinary accolade Whatley Manor joins a very select group of only 26 other restaurants in the UK to have reached this exacting standard. This is all the more impressive because only 1.1% of establishments in the AA Restaurant Guide have four Rosettes.

Four Rosettes denotes cooking that demands national recognition. Dishes demonstrate intense ambition, a passion for excellence, superb technical skills and remarkable consistency. They also show an appreciation of culinary traditions combined with a desire for exploration and improvement.

This outstanding cuisine is served in the hotel’s gourmet restaurant, The Dining Room, where Head Chef Martin, Burge is the creative force behind a gastronomic experience of classical French cuisine delivered with a modern interpretation. Complementing his approach, in January 2008, The Dining Room underwent a total refurbishment to create a fresh new look using a sumptuous mix of Italian silks, luxurious velvets and discreet lighting, which has resulted in exceptional guest comments on the sophisticated and refreshing interior.

Whatley Manor has also retained its AA Five Red Star ‘Inspectors Choice Hotel’ status, which it has held for the last two years. This is only awarded to the very best hotels in the UK that are able to demonstrate an exceptional quality of accommodation, hospitality and a high degree of customer care. In addition Whatley Manor’s wine list has been recognised as notable. Nominees are judged on the quality of their wine list and their ability to inspire customers to make wider and more adventurous choices in selecting wines.

Following the glamorous black tie event, Peter Egli commented “Winning this award is very valuable to my team and in particular for my Head Chef, Martin Burge who is an excellent chef and richly deserves this recognition. It is a great accolade to be proud of and will undoubtedly encourage motivation in all the team to strive for even greater levels of guest satisfaction in all areas of the hotel, from the restaurants to the rooms and also in the spa”.

The AA Centenary Awards recognise and reward the excellent services provided by the UK’s very best establishments, honouring the finest AA-inspected and rated hotels, restaurants and pubs throughout the UK.

AA Hotel Services Manager Simon Numphud said: “I am very impressed with the quality of this year’s winners, who have demonstrated intense ambition and a passion for excellence, as well as superb technical skills and innovative menus. I am delighted that there are a plethora of establishments that continue to raise the standards and encourage excellence in the industry.”

A one-night stay at Whatley Manor costs from £290 per room for a standard room including bed and breakfast and 10% discretionary service charge and VAT, plus use of the spa Aquarias. Spa treatments cost from £80 for a 60-minute treatment or £115 for a 90-minute treatment. For further information and to book, log on to Whatleymanor.com.