Edinburgh's Fingal crowned one of the top five-star hotels and restaurants in the UK

Scotland's only luxury floating hotel, Fingal, has been crowned one of the top 25 five-star hotels and restaurants in the UK and Northern Ireland by the internationally recognised Automobile Association (AA).

Berthed on Edinburgh's vibrant waterfront, Fingal has sailed into the AA's prestigious list of hotels and restaurants for the first time after being awarded the top five-star rating for the hotel and two AA Rosettes for its Lighthouse Restaurant.

Fingal now joins an exclusive list of only 43 five-star hotels with two AA Rosettes across the whole of the UK and Northern Ireland and is only one of 25 hotels around the country with an overall quality assurance score of 87% or above.

Following two full days of rigorous assessments, the AA inspectors praised Fingal for the exceptional quality of the ship's stylish interior design, meticulous attention to detail, unique maritime heritage, outstanding customer service and fine dining experience.

Commenting on the Fingal experience, the AA inspectors said:

“The condition and quality throughout is excellent. Notable features such as the engine room on display, the bridge, lift and function space are all fascinating. The design features and detailing also impressed.”

“A very intimate and exclusive feel maintained through the hotel which has been created from a working vessel - the heritage of which is very well established and promoted to guests.”

“Highly individual set of rooms which offer a special experience.”

Re-launched as a luxury hotel in 2019, the former Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) tender is owned and operated by the award-winning team at The Royal Yacht Britannia. Fingal is now a world-class foodie destination with all the glamour and style of a superyacht, but with an air of old-world Art Deco luxury ocean liner elegance.

Open to non-residents for Afternoon Tea, dinner and cocktails, Fingal's Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar offers a choice of eight self-contained private dining booths for small pre-booked groups. Fingal's 23 luxury cabins are each named after Stevenson lighthouses, inspired by Fingal's rich maritime heritage. The ship is now the ultimate in luxury accommodation and dining with a nautical twist.

Commenting on Fingal's continued award success, Britannia's Hospitality Director and Fingal's General Manager, Andrew Thomson, said:

“We're extremely proud to have been recognised by the AA for our commitment to offering a world-class visitor experience for all our guests with the top five-star quality assurance rating for the hotel and two AA Rosettes for our Lighthouse Restaurant.

“The inspectors paid particular attention to the exceptional quality of the ship's stylish interior design, our meticulous attention to detail, unique maritime heritage, outstanding customer service and fine dining experience in Fingal's Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar.

“Prestigious accolades like this are a real testament to our dedicated team of hospitality professionals who are passionate about delivering only the best guest experience.”

Earlier this year, Fingal also sailed into the 20th annual Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Awards for the third year running. As well as being named one of the top 20 luxury hotels in the UK by TripAdvisor users, Edinburgh's Fingal also captured travellers' hearts as one of the top 25 most romantic hotels in the UK and Channel Islands for 2022, coming in at number 11 on the prestigious Tripadvisor category of most 'Dreamy stays that couples love'. 

The 2022 Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Awards are based on the quality and quantity of traveller reviews and ratings posted on TripAdvisor over the 12-month period from 1st January 2021 until 31st December 2021.

For more information on Fingal, visit www.fingal.co.uk and follow on social media www.facebook.com/fingaledinburgh, https://twitter.com/fingaledinburgh and https://www.instagram.com/fingaledinburgh

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