Award for ‘exceptional achievement’

Awarding The Belfray Country Inn it’s highest accolade - five green circles, the site managers said of the Belfray: “Our travellers consistently commend your property with the highest praise, and we recognise your five rating as an exceptional achievement. Only the very best in the business are awarded a Certificate of Excellence — display yours proudly in a place where your guests can see it. TripAdvisor is proud to congratulate The Belfray Country Inn on earning the prestigious 2012 Certificate of Excellence award.”

The award follows on from two successive years of top places in the Tatler Business Awards, and the managers, John Edgar and Brian Loughlin, said they were “delighted” with the continued success of their boutique hotel and restaurant.

“Obviously we are delighted to have been recognised in the world stage of Tripadvisor. Remember not all reviews are good reviews on this social networking site there are times, however, that no matter what we do or how fabulous we think our product is, people are just not satisfied on occasions but this runs hand in hand with running a busy business such as The Belfray and thankfully the majority are good,” said Mr Edgar.

He went on to reveal that this year John and Brian are to judge the ‘Chef of the Year’ competition for the Ulster Tatler’s ‘People of the Year’ awards 2013.

“We would like to impress upon business owners in the north west to enter if you feel your product is worthy of recognition, thus gaining publicity in the business sector for this part of Northern Ireland,” said John.

The latest success is another notch in the belt for John and Brian, who have brought the former Inn at the Cross from a 2-star bed and breakfast to what it is today - a 4-star Hotel, and have achieved that in three years. It is a massive achievement given today’s economic climate, and John and Brian are amazed by the way they have been supported by patrons and staff in achieving the awards. Among the titles the managers have received in their three short years at the helm of The Belfray, are The Ulster Tatler Hoteliers of the Year 2012, Highly Commended in the Tourist section of the UTV Awards, coming second to The Titanic Experience Belfast, and this year winning a business achievement award in The Local Woman Awards 2013.

“We are really grateful to all those who support us at The Belfray and indeed to the very friendly and competent Staff with whom nothing is achievable. They work so hard and try to give everyone that perfect ‘Belfray Experience’,” said John.

Plans are now afoot to upgrade the Hotel with 11 new Bedrooms, with the plans now ready to submit to the Planning Office.

John added: “We hope that our number one position in the hotels in the City of Derry and, indeed, in Co Londonderry, will let us show that the north west can indeed compete with the rest of Northern Ireland and in the international market.”