UK hospitality shines at AA Hospitality Awards 2025

Britain's hospitality sector lit up at the AA Hospitality Awards 2025, a star-studded ceremony at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House on 22 September that celebrated hotels, restaurants, spas, inns and bed-and-breakfasts across 18 categories. The event highlighted a year of resilience and ingenuity in UK hospitality as venues from rural enclaves to major cities vied for recognition across a broad slate of awards including chefs, sustainability, spas and rising stars. The celebrations underscored how operators have adapted to a continually evolving market while maintaining a focus on guest experience and service standards.

Gareth Ward of Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms in Eglwys Fach, Wales, was named AA Chefs' Chef of the Year 2025, a peer-voted accolade that industry colleagues say reflects Ward's bold and boundary-pushing approach to modern dining. Ward has been central to transforming Ynyshir into one of the UK's most talked-about culinary destinations, fusing Japanese influences with the finest Welsh produce to create a tasting menu experience that critics describe as fearless and meticulously executed. Ward's win underscored the AA's emphasis on peer recognition within the professional community.

In addition to the Chefs' Chef honor, the awards recognized a range of other leaders across the industry. The AA Lifetime Achievement Award went to James Thomson OBE of Prestonfield in Edinburgh, while Alain Roux and Michel Roux Jr collected the AA Outstanding Contribution Award. Restaurants of the Year were awarded across four regional categories: England to Skof in Manchester, London to Joséphine, Wales to Gorse in Cardiff, and Scotland to The Little Chartroom in Edinburgh. Hotels of the Year followed a similar regional pattern, with The Cavendish Hotel taking England, 1 Hotel Mayfair in London, St Brides Spa Hotel in Pembrokeshire for Wales, 100 Princes Street in Edinburgh for Scotland, and The Old Inn in County Down for Northern Ireland. The George Inn in Somerset was named Inn of the Year, reflecting its long-standing history dating back to 1397, while The 25 Boutique B&B in Devon was crowned B&B of the Year—the adults-only property had already claimed the English B&B accolade in the AA Bed and Breakfast Awards 2025, underscoring its status as a standout in guest comfort and hospitality. Hoar Cross Hall in Staffordshire earned Spa Hotel of the Year for its combination of stylish bedrooms, expansive grounds, decadent dining and state-of-the-art spa facilities. Other notable honors included The Goring in London taking the Restaurant Team Award and a suite of Rosette recognitions spanning new and evolving culinary talents across the region.

Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media, praised the sector’s resilience and innovation in 2025. “This celebration highlights the passion, creativity and resilience that define UK hospitality. The teams have turned challenges into opportunities, inspiring us with their innovation and dedication,” Numphud said, noting how winners and nominees alike have contributed to a robust and dynamic hospitality landscape. The awards ceremony also acted as a barometer for industry trends, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices, evolving dining concepts, and exceptional guest experiences.

The winners’ list reflected a blend of heritage brands and contemporary newcomers, underscoring the breadth of the UK hospitality scene. The 25 Boutique B&B, the Devon-based adults-only property, has been highlighted for its fusion of comfort, quality and hospitality—a combination the AA described as delivering a rewarding and fulfilling guest experience. In the broader cultural context, the event followed Conde Nast Traveller’s Hot List 2025, which spotlighted some of the world’s most promising new hotel openings, including at least three British properties. The list pointed to destinations that span historic inns in the Peak District to Art Deco highlights in New York, with Mandarin Oriental in London’s Mayfair noted as a standout sibling property to its Knightsbridge location.

The AA Hospitality Awards 2025 thus served as a millstone event for Britain’s hospitality community, spotlighting both venerable institutions and rising stars. Winners across the 18 categories illustrate a sector that remains deeply rooted in tradition while continuing to push boundaries—whether through redefining fine dining with experimental menus, elevating spa and hotel guest experiences, or nurturing new talent in rising-star programs. The ceremony’s emphasis on peer recognition, sustainability, and guest-centric service signals the industry’s ongoing commitment to quality at a moment of shifting consumer expectations. As operators digest 2025’s outcomes, many will look to translate these accolades into sustained investments in people, properties, and experiences that define UK hospitality for years to come.