The Merrion in Dublin was this week named ‘Five-star Hotel of the Year' at the Good Food Ireland Awards 2024, held at the K Club in Co Kildare. The hotel was described as having achieved “a harmonious balance between culinary excellence..
. luxurious surroundings, beautifully appointed rooms, state-of-the-art amenities and exceptional service” at the awards. Kelly's Resort Hotel & Spa in Co Wexford won ‘Four-star Hotel of the Year’, with Castle Leslie Estate in Co Monaghan named 'Culinary Haven of the Year’.
The Awards celebrate businesses at every layer of Ireland’s food and drink industry, from producers to chefs, shops and hospitality outlets, with winners selected through mystery inspections and assessments shortlisted by an independent panel, according to Margaret Jeffares of Good Food Ireland. The Sea Rooms restaurant at Kelly's Resort in Co Wexford. Photo: Ger Lawlor "We’ve seen a notable rise in confidence in the tourism and hospitality industry to prioritise Irish ingredients due to customers being far more vocal about wanting to see Irish produce on the menu,” Ms Jeffares said, adding that awareness around sustainability has increased “across the board”, and that many winners were second or third-generation family businesses.
An Port Mór in Westport, Co Mayo, won ‘Restaurant of the Year’, with its culinary creativity cited alongside a “warmth of hospitality” and "exceptional service”. Read more The awards also saw Forbes Street by Ga.
