The winners of the AA Hospitality Awards 2026 have been announced, recognising hotels, restaurants, chefs and hospitality professionals from across the UK.
Almost 1,000 guests attended the ceremony at JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London as the AA also marked 70 years of its Rosette award.
Adam Byatt of Trinity Restaurant in London was named AA Chefs’ Chef of the Year 2026, having been selected by fellow chefs working in AA Rosette-holding restaurants.
Byatt said: “Winning this award is a huge honour. I’m incredibly proud and grateful to have been chosen as this year’s AA Chef’s Chef of the Year out of such an esteemed group.”
David Morgan-Hewitt of The Goring received the AA Lifetime Achievement Award, while Room to Reward Charity Director Adam Terpening was recognised with the Outstanding Contribution Award.
The regional Restaurant of the Year awards went to The Star Inn at Harome in England, AngloThai in London, The Walnut Tree Inn in Wales and Swadish by Ajay Kumar in Scotland.
The Celtic Collection was named AA Group of the Year, while Firmdale Hotels received Small Hotel Group of the Year.
Hotel of the Year was awarded to The Emory in London, Calcot & Spa in England, Crossbasket Castle in Scotland, Porth Tocyn Hotel in Wales and Culloden Estate & Spa in Northern Ireland.
Knockendarroch Hotel & Restaurant in Pitlochry was named Small Hotel Team of the Year, while St. Ermin’s Hotel in London received the Large Hotel Team of the Year award.
Ilona Harris of Cromlix was named Rising Star of the Year, with Katarzyna Celinska of The Bloomsbury receiving Housekeeper of the Year.
The Black Swan at Oldstead was named Sustainable Restaurant of the Year, while Malmaison & Hotel du Vin received the AA Sustainable Award.
The Penny Bun in Otley was named AA Inn of the Year, Lys-Na-Greyne in Aboyne received B&B of the Year and House of George W. Davies in Broadway was named Restaurant with Rooms of the Year.
Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa in St Andrews received the Spa Hotel of the Year award.
The Classroom at Cardiff & Vale College was named College Restaurant of the Year.
Wine awards went to etch. by Steven Edwards in Brighton for England and Overall, The Jackdaw in Conwy for Wales and Knockinaam Lodge in Portpatrick for Scotland.
Six restaurants received four AA Rosettes: Frog by Adam Handling, Hide and Fox, Ikoyi, Inver, LI~LY by Aiden Byrne and The Cocochine.
New three-AA-Rosette recipients were AngloThai, Daise by Tony Parkin, FERN, Flavour, KYND at Hampton Manor, Langar Hall Hotel, Lofft, Luna Omakase, Orrery by Pierre Minotti, Restaurant Elm, Sō-lō Restaurant, St Barts, The Bath Priory Hotel, Restaurant & Spa, The Gunroom Restaurant and Tom Brown at The Capital.
Ashford Castle, Langdale Chase, The Chancery Rosewood and The Emory were awarded five AA Red Stars.
Holmes Hotel in London and Penmaenuchaf Dolgellau in Gwynedd received four AA Red Stars.
Simon Numphud, Managing Director of AA Hotel & Hospitality Services, said: “The AA Hospitality Awards exist to recognise the passion, dedication and high standards that go into delivering exceptional hospitality, and this year’s winners are a wonderful example of that. These awards recognise incredible people in our industry who care deeply about what they do to give their guests the very best experience.
“That commitment to excellence is what sets British hospitality apart and underpins its world-renowned reputation. Congratulations to all the winners, nominees and new Rosette holders. It is a privilege to celebrate their achievements.”
The 2026 restaurant award winners and newly awarded Rosette holders will also feature in the AA Restaurant Guide 2027.
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