Wirral hotel's five star rating

4:45pm Thursday 14th June 2012 in News By Stephanie Cureton

Claire Jones with certificate confirming The Hilbark's five star rating. Picture: Paul Heaps Claire Jones with certificate confirming The Hilbark's five star rating. Picture: Paul Heaps

A WIRRAL hotel has become the first in Merseyside to be given a five star rating.

The Hillbark Hotel and Spa in Frankby achieved the accolade following an inspection by the AA Tourism authority, one of the governing boards for hotel star ratings.

The announcement means that the boutique manor, which is operated by Contessa Hotels, is also the smallest hotel in the country to be awarded five stars.

Claire Jones, general manager of Contessa Hotels, said: "This is a remarkable achievement for Contessa and fantastic news for the tourism offering across Wirral and the wider Liverpool City Region.

"Attaining this outstanding rating, especially for an independent hotel of our size, is an incredible accomplishment and differentiates us from other high calibre hotels in the region".

Opened in 2002 by Contessa Hotels, the Hillbark is set in 250 acres of Wirral parkland, overlooking the Dee estuary.

The AA's five star criteria are based on the services and facilities for guests, including the hospitality of the staff, food quality and cleanliness.

Chris Meaden, cabinet member for culture, tourism and leisure, said: "Huge congratulations to Craig, Lisa and all the team at Hillbark Hotel in Royden Park for achieving the city region's first five star hotel grading.

"This is brilliant news for Wirral's tourism offer and growing economy.

"I know this has taken an enormous amount of hard work, commitment and investment to achieve, particularly in the current economic climate, however their dedication to excellence has now paid off."

Comments(10)

MX says...
6:05pm Thu 14 Jun 12

Er,didn't the Council used to own this?

Report this post »

Cheesy Peas says...
10:19am Fri 15 Jun 12

Well spotted, MX.

Report this post »

bigfoot says...
10:50am Fri 15 Jun 12

Hillbark was a residential home for 'confused' elderly. It also was a meeting plave for the Wirral organ society as it had a fine example of an organ there,I wonder if its stil there and being used?

Report this post »

Hillbark Hotel says...
3:11pm Fri 15 Jun 12

Yes, Contessa Hotels have operated Hillbark as a Hotel for the last nine and a half years; prior to this the house had various uses including those mentioned. The organ is still in full working order and was in fact played here at a wedding just a few weeks ago!

Report this post »

MX says...
4:28pm Fri 15 Jun 12

Always good to have an organ in full working order at a wedding.

Report this post »

Mr Bollo says...
4:31pm Fri 15 Jun 12

MX wrote:
Always good to have an organ in full working order at a wedding.
I always like to polish my organ before I play it in public...

fnar fnar...etc

Report this post »

Spiffy says...
5:20pm Fri 15 Jun 12

*Chortle*

Report this post »

MX says...
6:17pm Fri 15 Jun 12

Joking apart.
Hillbark is a wonderful Hotel in a great setting.Nice cars too!.
I have been there a few times and was at a wedding there a couple of weeks ago.
Unfortunately I didn't get to see a "fine example of an organ" (oo-er -missus).

Report this post »

woodyres2 says...
3:22pm Wed 20 Jun 12

I wonder how much the council made when they sold that then ???

Any money was certainly not re-invested in care for the elderly because the council have been closing care homes & day care centres for years now !!

Report this post »

Cheesy Peas says...
3:48pm Wed 20 Jun 12

Good to see a local business doing well. I've never been there but I have been to their other place in Port Sunlight and it's superb.

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree