London, UK – Reported by Elite Traveler, the private jet lifestyle magazine
The Samling hotel in the Lake District, UK, has won Best Dining Boutique Hotel in the World at the 2012 Boutique Hotel Awards. The luxury lakeside property fought off international competition to take the title, having recently appointed Ian Swainson as Head Chef. General Manager Alasdair Elwick collected the award alongside the hotel team at a ceremony in Knightsbridge, London.
Swainson joined The Samling this summer, progressing from his role as Head Chef at Michelin-starred L’Ortolan in Berkshire. Swainson last year enjoyed TV fame, starring in ‘Best Dish: The Chefs’ (ITV UK) and winning a regional final of the competition with a dessert of sloe gin crème brûlée served with damson ice cream.
Judges presenting the award said that The Samling showed “Levels of cuisine, creativity and service that superseded all other hotels inspected.”
General Manager Alasdair Elwick commented: “It is truly is an incredible feat. We are obviously delighted at the result which now places The Samling on the global food map.
“We believe that the award is true testament to Head Chef Ian Swainson and his team’s talent, hard work and the quality of the produce the Lake District has to offer. This truly is a defining moment in the hotel’s history.”
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Head chef Ian Swainson added: “I’m immensely proud that the Samling has received this award for the Best Dining Boutique Hotel in the World. We have a brilliant team at the hotel and fantastic local suppliers here providing the best produce.”
The Samling prevailed over other short-listed hotels in Bangkok, Malta and London. The news comes after a record year for the hotel which has seen occupancy levels of over 90%.
The judging panel commented: “The food at The Samling was very well executed with interesting flavor combinations and a strong element of theater used in a number of dishes.
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“The staff were extremely knowledgeable in all food, wine and service aspects, which made the whole experience seamless.”
Overlooking the idyllic Lake Windermere and surrounded by 67 acres of its own land, The Samling has eleven rooms in the main house, as well as four outside cottage suites. All but two rooms offer lake views, and the private gardens and woodland are dotted with contemporary works of art. The kitchen at The Samling serves a three-course lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner service including a tasting menu and wine pairings.
www.thesamlinghotel.co.uk
