A STYLISH hotel in the centre of Newcastle is celebrating after being shortlisted for a prestigious tourism award.
The Sandman Signature Hotel Newcastle, the first in the UK to be opened by leading Canadian hospitality chain the Sandman Hotel Group, has been shortlisted in the Large Hotel of the Year category in the North East England Tourism Awards.The awards honour the achievements of venues, attractions, hotels and service providers working in the tourism industry and the winners of the 14 categories will be announced at a ceremony on January 31 at The Sage Gateshead.
If the multi million pound hotel, on the site of the former Scottish and Newcastle Brewery at Gallowgate, opposite the Newcastle United football ground, wins its category it will then have the chance to compete against winners from other UK regions in the Visit England Awards for Excellence in 2013.
The four-star, 170-bedroom hotel and Shark Club gastro bar was shortlisted by judges from a number of organisations, including Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, Northumberland County Council, Nexus and the North East Chamber of Commerce.
General manager Kevin Gilhooly said: “Among the key factors in our decision to choose Newcastle as the destination for our first hotel in the UK were its great infrastructure and its place as the commercial and historical heart of the North of England.
“Not only has this served us well in attracting corporate clients, but it has also made us a hugely popular choice for visitors to the region who find the hotel an excellent and accessible base from which to visit all the attractions and venues this incredible region has to offer. We are delighted to have been shortlisted for this prestigious award.”
The Sandman Hotel Group owns more than 45 hotels, resorts and inns across Canada and is now actively looking to expand in the UK.
