The awards ceremony and gala dinner was held at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness on Friday, October 4th, celebrating excellence across the tourism industry and recognising companies that go above and beyond to provide extraordinary visitor experiences. The regional winners now proceed to the Scottish Thistle Awards' national final in November to compete with the best of the rest of the country.

The Best Hotel Experience award highlights the critical role that accommodation plays in a guest's journey, focusing on hotels of all sizes that create unforgettable and authentic memories for visitors. This category acknowledges the outstanding efforts of hotels that leave a lasting impression on guests, making them feel welcomed, valued, and truly immersed in Scotland's unique charm.

 Ness Walk stood out for its dedication to hospitality, blending a warm and genuine welcome with personalized experiences that connect guests to the local culture. The judges commended Ness Walk for its attention to detail and commitment to offering a luxurious yet authentic stay, setting it apart as a leader in the industry.

 Tony Story, CEO of Kingsmills Group, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that we have been recognised by our industry peers as the Best Hotel Experience in the Highlands & Islands 2024 at this year's HITA awards”

 “This award is a testament to the team's passion and dedication to delivering an exceptional experience for every guest. They truly create a unique and memorable stay that captures the spirit of the Highlands, and it's an honour to see that commitment celebrated in this way.”

 Kevin Staines, Hotel Manager at Ness Walk added “I am thrilled for the team to be recognised with this accolade – they deserve so much credit for the amazing work they do, creating experiences for our guests that are truly special.”

 In addition to the Best Hotel Experience award, Ness Walk was also a finalist in the Climate Action category, which honours businesses, events, and destinations that have demonstrated significant progress on their journey towards Net Zero. This recognition underscores Ness Walk's ongoing commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism, aligning luxury with environmental stewardship.

 Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards chairman Calum Ross congratulated all the winners and those highly commended on their success. He said: “Huge congratulations to everyone on what was a fantastic night for our tourism and hospitality community here in the Highlands and Islands.

 “Over 225 tourism businesses had the confidence and self-belief to enter the awards – making 2024 a record-breaking year for HITA, with the highest number of entries ever received.

 “Our judging teams reported that the quality of entry was higher than ever this year. In three categories the judges found it impossible to separate the entrants. A great position for HITA to be in, but it also means that many of our shortlisted finalists missed out on winning by the smallest of margins!

“Choosing from such a high calibre shortlist is never easy but our winners and those highly commended are exceptional. Each and every one worthy recipients of a Thistle award and special recognition for all of their hard work, innovation and the contribution they make to our local communities. Well done everybody.”

Note to editors:

For press enquiries, please contact Sedanur Saygili, Project Manager PR & Communications WorldHotels at sedanur.saygili@worldhotels.com 

For images, quotes or additional information, please contact:

 Angus Macleod
Marketing Manager

Ness Walk

07748 930788

angus.macleod@kingsmillsgroup.com

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