Southport’s Ramada Plaza in line for tourism award

A commitment to accessibility and sustainability plus excellent levels of customer service have all helped the Ramada Plaza Southport to be shortlisted for a regional award.

The hotel, which opened in 2008 as part of a £40 million waterfront development, is in the running for Hotel of the Year in the Liverpool City Region Annual Tourism Awards. It is one of only three hotels in Southport to be shortlisted, alongside the Formby Hotel Golf Resort and Spa and the Vincent Hotel.

Satisfied customers of the Ramada Plaza can also vote for the hotel in the People’s Choice category by filling in a short questionnaire online at www.visitliverpool.com/survey by April 29.

Ramada Plaza General Manager Enda Rylands said: “It is the second time we have been shortlisted for the Hotel of the Year award. I firmly believe this is testament to the excellent levels of customer service we provide, which is also evidenced in the feedback we receive from guests. In 2011 we received 1,800 responses giving us an average of 9.05 out of 10.”

He added: “Our commitment to accessibility also sets us apart from our competitors - guests with disabilities or other access issues can always be assured that we take their needs into account. We are also passionate about ensuring the hotel is sustainable. This includes enhancing our green credentials by recycling and using low wattage lightbulbs, for example, as well as reducing our carbon footprint by sourcing as many local ingredients as we can for the restaurant.”

Shaped like an ocean-going liner, the four-star Ramada Plaza has 133 luxury bedrooms, eight of which have floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views. The hotel is adjacent to the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre and overlooks the Marine Lake, Millennium Bridge and Ocean Plaza. The hotel’s facilities also include a fitness suite and five event rooms for weddings and conferences.

The second round of judging for the Liverpool City Region Annual Tourism Awards will take place early next month, with the winners announced at a black tie ceremony at the BT Convention Centre on June 14.

The winners of 10 of the award categories – which also include Small Visitor Attraction and Bar of the Year - will then go on to represent Liverpool City Region in Visit England’s Awards for Excellence.

For more information about the Ramada Plaza Southport, visit www.ramadaplazasouthport.co.uk or call 01704 516220.