Its great to visit award winning small British hotels

It is great to visit small British hotels to experience the passion and commitment of their owners and Janice and Philip Martin [pictured right with their Maitre d’Hotel – right] the owners of Chester’s award winning Green Bough are no exception, telling me and it is also mentioned on their web site,  â€œThe Green Bough represents personal objectives, a dream that one day we would own a luxury hotel and fine dining restaurant where guests would find excellent customer service, fine food and restful ambience” .

While I did not stay at the Green Bough, I was fortunate enough to experience their menu over dinner and to see if they had fulfilled their objectives and while the Green Bough is located on one of the busy roads in and out of Chester, in a row of hotels and guest houses, it really deserves to be a stand alone property, because the moment you step over the threshold you realise that this place is very different and is redolent of the personal commitment of the owners.

[Pictured: the top of the range Gawsworth Suite]

I had the opportunity of interviewing Philip for TravelMole TV and the interview can be seen by clicking on this link: –http://www.travelmole.tv/watch_vdo.php?sid=75&id=14531 

Janice and Peter say that for those wishing to escape from reality their Victorian Town House Hotel lends itself perfectly to being the ultimate relaxing getaway, offering the peace and privacy of home with the warmth and personal welcome you would expect from a hotel committed to excellence.

The fifteen bedrooms and suites, which I could not see because they were full which as always a great sign are described as fashionably different, individually designed, combining classic elegance with a sophisticated blend of modern and traditional styling enhanced by many special touches including the luxurious Elemis Spa range.

The highlight of the evening for us was dining in The Olive Tree restaurant, which was very good indeed, offering a menu combining a classic fine dining experience in a less informal atmosphere, with the dishes on the menu showing off local ad regional seasonal produce, including for example,  Morecambe Bay Shrimp, Cheshire Coastal Samphire – interestingly, an edible plant that grows near the coast, but a member of the samphire family is also very common in South Australia apparently, Baby Cherry Tomatoes,  Flash Grilled Wood Pigeon Breast, Seared Orkney Scallops, Risotto of Carrot and Nettle
and Sea Salt Roasted Belly Pork….all very tempting!

[Pictured: the standard Moreton room]

If you have any doubts and think that I am suffering from jet lag, the Green Bough has won heaps of awards, including: –

Small Hotel of the Year 2006, Enjoy England for Excellence Awards

Hotel of the Year 2006/07, Cheshire Life

Hotel of the Year 2005, englandsnorthwest

Small Hotel of the Year 2005, Cheshire Tourist Board

Most Excellent City Hotel 2004, Condé Nast Johansens

Small Hotel of the Year 2003 – Finalist, Excellence in England

Tourism Website of the Year 2003 – Silver Award, North West Tourist Board

Small Hotel of the Year 2002, North West Tourist Board 

[Pictured; The Brahmhall Suite]

RAC Gold Ribbon Award 

4 Stars, VisitBritain

Gold Award, VisitBritain

The Green Bough is also recommended by:

The Good Hotel Guide 2008

Condé Nast Johansens 2008

Fine Individual Hotels 2008

Michelin Guide 2008

And if that is not enough to convince you, the Green Bough has also featured in: –

The Independent – The 50 Best Winter Escapes in the World

The Times – The 100 finest places to stay in Englan

The Guardian – The Great Escape Short breaks in England’s cities

The Independent – The number one choice when visiting Chester

Amazing to have received so many awards, but next time I am in Chester, only eating at the Green Bough will not be enough….I have to stay and so do you.

For more information visit: www.chestergreenboughhotel.com

The address is:

The Green Bough Hotel
60 Hoole Road
Chester
England CH2 3NL
Tel:  +44 (0)1244 326241        
Fax: +44 (0)1244 326265

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