East Kintyre guest house celebrates five-star award

The owners of a luxury guest house in East Kintyre are celebrating after receiving a 5-Star Quality Assurance Gold Award from VisitScotland.

 

Carradales, owned and run by Maurice Whelan and Steve Reid, is now the only guest house in Kintyre to have achieved this award, which is only granted to businesses that meet a strict set of criteria.

 

This includes demonstrating outstanding hospitality and customer care over an extended period of time, significantly exceeding levels of hospitality and service expected at their star rating and providing an extensive and high quality selection of food, in line with the principles of VisitScotland’s Taste Our Best food scheme.

 

Businesses must also meet expectations of their award in all other areas, including bedrooms and bathrooms, show an element of “wow factor” in what they do in line with their star rating and demonstrate innovation and a clear anticipation of guests' needs.

 

Additionally, they must show a clear commitment towards inclusive and responsible tourism and demonstrate a positive and professional approach to customer feedback.

 

In 2019, a year after Maurice and Steve first opened the doors of the Victorian former manse, built in 1880, as a guest house, it received a five-star rating by VisitScotland.

 

Of their latest award, Maurice said: “We are proud and excited that Carradales has achieved its 5-Star Quality Assurance Gold Award from VisitScotland and thank all our guests and business partners.

 

“This award is of paramount importance for us, but is also important to the Kintyre area in attracting visitors from the UK, but also from all over the world in what continues to be challenging times for the hospitality industry.”

 

VisitScotland regional director David Adams McGilp congratulated the team at Carradales on receiving the award.

 

“This is a fantastic achievement for the business which reflects an exceptional visitor experience, offering the highest levels of hospitality and customer care,” he said.

 

“VisitScotland’s Quality Assurance scheme represent world class excellence, helping businesses shine, enabling visitors to make informed choices and driving up investment in quality.”