15/12/2011

Issued by Cedar Court Grand

A Senior Inspector from the AA has presented Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa, York with its 5 star plaque in an official ceremony at the hotel.

In addition, the Senior Inspector presented The Grill Room at The Grand restaurant with a special platter to mark its being awarded two prestigious AA Rosettes for the outstanding quality of its culinary offering.
There are just 90 other AA 5 star hotels in the UK and, excluding The Grand, only 23 outside London.
In awarding the 5 stars, Andrew Ford commented:

"The Grand has achieved one of the highest accolades awarded by the AA. 5 black stars are a symbol of excellence achieved through dedication, high levels of investment and a passion to be the best. We are delighted that York has its first 5 star hotel."

The £25m Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa opened in May 2010 following the extensive refurbishment of the former North Eastern Railway headquarters - one of York's most iconic Edwardian buildings.
General Manager, Maria Florou, said:

"When The Grand opened its doors last year, it was with the stated ambition of becoming York's first AA 5 star hotel, and we are over the moon that we have now achieved that.

"The team here deserve enormous credit for what they have done - they have worked incredibly hard and have put their heart and soul into this project. But we all know that an even greater challenge lies ahead, and that is maintaining and even exceeding the high standards that we have set for ourselves.
"Our guest feedback tells us that we have always delivered a 5 star experience. But this weekend it will feel extra special to welcome guests into a 5 star rated hotel."

The AA award two Rosettes to restaurants that demonstrate "innovation, greater technical skill and consistency and judgement in combining and balancing ingredients".
Head Chef, Martin Henley, said:

"The two AA Rosettes put us firmly on Yorkshire's culinary map. Food lovers know that Rosettes are a guaranteed seal of quality and so lots of people who have not yet dined at The Grill Room will be eager to do so in the coming months."

The Grand has 107 bedrooms, including 13 suites and a lavish penthouse. Many of the rooms have views of the historic City Walls and York's spectacular Minster and, as a Grade II listed building, many of the original features remain. These include beautiful mosaic tiling, parquet floors and wood panelled meeting rooms.

You don't have to check in to check out The Grand: anyone can experience the champagne and cocktail bar, whisky lounge, HQ Restaurant (which serves Afternoon Tea and is a private dining room) and The Grill Room at The Grand.

The Grand is also home to Spa at the Grand, one of Yorkshire's most luxurious spas. Set in the building's atmospheric vaults, The Spa offers a range of therapeutic face and body care treatments, and guests also have access to the gym, sauna, swimming pool, steam room and relaxation rooms.
Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa, York was awarded ‘Hotel of the Year' at the York Tourism Awards 2011 and was Highly Commended at the 2011 White Rose Awards.

Cedar Court Hotels is Yorkshire's largest independent hotel collection. In addition to The Grand, it has four star hotels in Wakefield, Leeds/Bradford, Harrogate and Huddersfield/Halifax.

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