A HOTEL in Darlington has been recognised for delivering “exceptional hospitality at every level”.

Rockliffe Hall has been named Pride of Britain Hotel of the Year for 2017.

The announcement was made at the Pride of Britain Hotels’ Annual General Meeting yesterday, where Eamonn Elliott, the hotel’s chief executive, collected the award.

“It is a privilege and honour to accept this award on behalf of Rockliffe Hall,” he said.

“The Pride of Britain collection of hotels is the best of the best in the country so for the resort to be named hotel of the year is praise indeed,” he added.

Admission to the Pride of Britain Hotels’ group is subject to a hotel successfully passing an anonymous overnight inspection and a ballot of the membership.

The group never has more than 50 hotels, to guarantee “quality and exclusivity” in its collection.

Peter Hancock, chief executive of Pride of Britain Hotels, said:“Rockliffe Hall and its dedicated team was identified amongst a shortlist of hotels all found to offer exceptional hospitality”.