Ireland’s Five Star Hotel sponsored by Noel Group

Sponsored by Noel Group, this award recognises outstanding accommodation with the provision of superlative service at a five star level. Entrants in this category will provide luxurious accommodation which exude opulence, comfort and extravagance. The hotel lobbies will be sumptuous, and the guest rooms complete with stylish furniture and quality linens. Team members will go above and beyond expectations to exceed guest needs, in a lavish and deluxe environment.

202_5 Star Hotel-Jerry O’Sullivan, TJ Mulcahy, Niall Rochford

Ireland’s Five Star Hotel – 2016 Winner

Ashford Castle, Mayo

Hotel Categories

Ireland’s Five Star Hotel 2017

This award recognises outstanding accommodation with the provision of superlative service at a five star level. Entrants in this category will provide luxurious accommodation which exude opulence, comfort and extravagance. The hotel lobbies will be sumptuous, and the guest rooms complete with stylish furniture and quality linens. Team members will go above and beyond expectations to exceed guest needs, in a lavish and deluxe environment.

Ireland’s Four Star Hotel 2017

This award acknowledges excellence in service and accommodation in a four star environment. Entrants will demonstrate high class, flawless service in a comfortable, quality establishment, while both meeting and exceeding guest expectations.

Ireland’s Three Star Hotel 2017

This award recognises Three Star Hotels which operate well established, quality, functional properties. Entrants should provide quality, style and comfort to its guests. Staff at these establishments should provide personalised service to a high standard.

Ireland’s Country House & Guest House Experience 2017

This award recognises the luxury and charm of country houses and guest houses across Ireland. The successful recipient of this award will provide a haven away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The ambience will be calm and relaxed, with a knowledgeable team to fulfil every need.

Ireland's Self Catering Experience (NEW)

This award recognises a self catering property that strikes the perfect balance for a home away from home. These properties must have high quality facilities as well as consistent cleanliness and staff that go that extra mile to assure your comfort no matter what the property’s style, size or star rating.

Ireland’s Hotel Spa Experience 2017

This category recognises hotel spas in Ireland providing outstanding services to their clients. Entrants will be judged on their capabilities in personalising treatments, variety and quality of treatments in addition to the level of service provided by therapists, innovation and uniqueness of treatment offerings and the knowledge and training of the spa therapists. Entrants must include in their submission an online link to their current brochure detailing all treatments available.

Ireland’s Hotel Breakfast 2017

Criteria for this award is based on quality of the breakfast offering at hotels of any star rating. Factors considered by the judging panel include the quality of food offering, the variation and selection of produce, presentation, service standards, friendliness of staff and the overall breakfast experience.

Ireland’s Family Friendly Hotel 2017

Children friendly hotels in Ireland are growing in number and value for money. The recipient of this award will be a family friendly hotel that suits the needs of both parents and kids. The judges will look for the following when selecting the successful recipient; children’s club, family rooms available, babysitting service, travel cots, family activities.

Ireland’s City Hotel 2017

This award recognises outstanding accommodation with the provision of exceptional service at a city centre property. Properties will be judged on how the guests expectations are met and exceeded. Aspects of the experience considered by the judges include overall experience, overall arrival/departure, Food and Beverage experience, consistency of service, cleanliness of guest rooms and helpfulness of hotel staff.

Ireland’s Business Hotel 2017

This award recognises excellence in the provision of amenities and facilities which are required by modern travellers on business, who rely on the property to work on the road. Bedrooms must have excellent desks with first-rate connectivity, seating and lighting. Meeting rooms are essential; business centres or similar facilities are helpful; basic support services for the business traveller (printing, PC / laptop back-up, local information) are integral. Hotels will be credited for original thinking that makes the stay more pleasant for a businessperson, including support for international, foreign-language speaking guests.

Ireland’s Wedding Venue 2017

One of the most important decisions a bride and groom will make is deciding upon the venue for their special day. High quality personal attention is a must and this will include creative planning and support, including dynamic and unstinting support on the day. Judges will look at the physical aspects of the room; the whole setting, appearance, backdrop and flexibility of the venue; and any innovative or helpful technical features available. On departure, the judge will request a showaround of the function space, reception areas and bridal suite.

Ireland's Best Hotel Website (NEW)

This category recognises websites that enhance user experience and ease the consumer’s bookings. Judges will be looking for websites that have not only increased the popularity, effectiveness, access, revenue, etc., of a particular property or service, but have ensured above all else that the website appeals to its audience, is accessible, and is efficient. Websites which utilise new technologies, or have adapted existing technology in an innovative way, and have successfully achieved their business objectives will be rewarded.

Restaurant Categories

Ireland’s Fine Dining Restaurant 2017

This prestigious award recognises the fine dining establishments that provide exceptional service and superior food and beverage offerings to its patrons. Menus will be creative and current, using local, seasonal produce. Variety of menu and the highest quality of service will be essential to be presented with this coveted award.

Ireland’s Casual Dining Experience 2017

This award recognises the casual dining establishments that provide notable service and quality food offerings to its patrons. The successful recipient of this award will offer a high quality menu offering utilising local produce and unique utilisation of seasonal menu items. The experience will be served by knowledgeable staff offering genuine hospitality.

Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way Restaurant 2017

The Wild Atlantic Way offers one of the world’s most spectacular and breathtaking coastlines. While immersing yourself in the culture, music and food found along the Wild Atlantic Way, there are restaurants to be recognised for superb quality and service. These restaurants deserve the chance to be awarded the accolade of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way Restaurant 2016.

European Restaurant 2017

This award recognises the dining establishments offering European cuisine in a unique and appropriate environment. The successful recipient of this award will offer a high quality menu which stays true to the original tastes, flavours and atmosphere of the native culture it represents. The experience will be served by knowledgeable staff offering genuine hospitality. This category is open to restaurants offering cuisine originating from mainland Europe.

Ireland’s Newcomer Restaurant 2017

Ireland’s restaurant industry is on the rise, with new restaurants opening countrywide. This prestigious award recognises the new dining establishments that provide exceptional service and superior food and beverage offerings to its patrons. Menus will be creative and current, using local, seasonal produce. The judges will in particular be looking for variety of menu and the highest quality of service. This category is open to any restaurant which has opened since 1st January, 2015.

Catering Categories

Event Caterer of the Year 2017

This award acknowledges the hard work, dedication, and innovation of event caterers across Ireland. A demonstration of innovation, creativity and value for money will all be considered by the judging panel in choosing the successful recipient of this award. Entrants must include in their submission three client testimonials or references and menu samples. If shortlisted, the judge will request access to food preparation facilities, and will attend an event held by the caterer between 1st May and 14th July, 2016.

Ireland’s Site Contract Caterer 2017

This award recognises caterers who provide exceptional product and service offerings in the site contracting and in house sectors. The successful recipient will show admirable practices whilst providing reliable, high quality and reasonably priced catering to its clients.

Ireland’s Healthcare Caterer 2017

This award recognises caterers who provide exceptional product and service offerings in the healthcare sector. The successful recipient will show exemplary practices whilst providing reliable, high quality and reasonably priced catering to its clients.

Ireland’s Industrial Caterer 2017

This award recognises caterers who provide exceptional product and service offerings in the industrial sector. This category is open to educational facilities, airlines, and institutions. The successful recipient will show exemplary practices whilst providing reliable, high quality and reasonably priced catering to its clients.

Cross-sector Categories

Ireland’s Wine Experience 2017

This award recognises an outstanding contribution to promoting wine understanding and appreciation. Entrants must demonstrate superior product knowledge, provide a wine list of exemplary quality and range, and maintain the highest calibre customer service. The wine waiter or sommelier should show their ability to inspire customers to make wider and more adventurous choices in selecting wines, and a demonstration of food and wine pairing knowledge is fundamental. Entrants must include in their submission an online link to their current wine list for consideration.

Ireland’s Guest Experience 2017

This award recognises outstanding venues providing a superior customer experience through the provision of exceptional service. The ambience of the property, the guest service standards, the quality and range of menu offerings and the overall feel of the establishment will all be considered by the expert judging panel when choosing the successful recipient of this envious recognition of achievement.

Ireland’s Chef of the Year 2017

This unique award offers chefs the chance to be awarded the ultimate recognition of their performance over the past twelve months. Their innovation, creativity and pursuance to excellence will all be considered by our expert panel of judges. Ireland’s Chef of the Year 2017 will demonstrate innovative use of lesser cuts of meat, and alternative cooking methods to produce an impeccable menu to please the senses. Their approach, design and execution of their dishes will clearly stand out from the crowd and impress.

Ireland's Executive Chef 2017 (NEW)

Our expert panel of judges will be looking for Executive chefs that showcase endurance in the kitchen, attention to detail, organisation, a constant desire to learn and upskill and above all, a humbling love for the culinary arts.

Ireland’s Rising Star Chef of the Year 2017 (NEW)

The Rising Star Chef of the Year category celebrates the up-and-coming chefs and culinary professional in Ireland. Our expert panel of judges will be looking for a strong commitment to the culinary industry by showcasing ambition, creativity, exquisite presentation and, most important, a high quality of food. These chefs will have consistently risen to the occasion and grown their responsibilities in the kitchen and beyond.

Ireland's Menu Provenance Awards 2017 (NEW)

This category celebrates restaurants and hotels that utilise a variety of local and seasonal produce all year round. The winning menu will be able to showcase all traceability in their ingredients and takes pride in promoting the use of home grown produce.

Ireland's Innovative Supplier 2017

This category recognises suppliers that are featuring new or advanced methods to their business strategies in order to generate added value and profits to their company. Suppliers will be rewarded for introducing creative and experimental ideas, while refining strategic sourcing decisions and improving communication with purchasing professionals.

Ireland’s Front of House Team/Team Member 2017

This award celebrates a front of house team or staff member who has gone above and beyond to provide outstanding service. This is the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of a team or staff member in a hotel, catering or restaurant environment.

Service to the Industry Award 2017

The recipient of this award will be chosen by the Keelings Farm Fresh Gold Medal Awards judging panel and recognises and honours an individual’s outstanding contribution to the hospitality industry over a significant period of time.

Supreme Winner 2017

The Supreme Winner is the Irish hospitality industry’s highest accolade. The recipient of this award is chosen by the Keelings Farm Fresh Gold Medal Awards judging panel.

People’s Choice Awards

My Favourite Place to Eat

A nationwide poll will be launched asking the public to nominate their favourite place to eat. The Keelings Farm Fresh Gold Medal Awards team will invite the top nominees in each of the four provinces along with Dublin to enter the People’s Choice Awards categories. The top three in each province and Dublin will be site inspected by the judging panel. Their scores will be combined with the scores from the Public Vote to decide the winner in each of the five provincial categories, along with the overall People’s Choice Award Winners.

My Favourite Place to Stay

A nationwide poll will be launched asking the public to nominate their favourite place to stay. The Keelings Farm Fresh Gold Medal Awards team will invite the top nominees in each of the four provinces along with Dublin to enter the People’s Choice Awards categories. The top three in each province and Dublin will be site inspected by the judging panel. Their scores will be combined with the scores from the Public Vote to decide the winner in each of the five provincial categories, along with the overall People’s Choice Award Winners.

By Hotel and Catering Team|2017-04-25T09:11:29+01:00February 22nd, 2017|Categories: Awards Category|Comments Off