Prize for Scotland’s most family-friendly hotel

Dumfries House Lodge near Cumnock was recognised as Scotland’s outstanding family-friendly destination at a prestigious national awards ceremony.

Hospitality staff at the estate saved for the nation by HRH The Prince of Wales 12 years ago were praised for their efforts at Prestige Hotel Awards at The Marriott Hotel in Glasgow.

At the annual Prestige Hotel Awards in Glasgow, Dumfries House Lodge overcame stiff competition from across the country to claim the title of Best Family Hotel, with Lodge manager Colin Caird receiving the trophy on behalf of his team.

Colin said: ‘We are lucky that the Lodge sits at the heart of a really family-friendly-estate that offers activity and enjoyment for people of all ages. Our Lodge cottages provide perfect accommodation for a family getaway, and the feedback we get from guests is so positive.

‘This award represents confirmation that we are able to offer a special experience to families visiting Dumfries House estate and our Lodge accommodation.’

Dumfries House Lodge was nominated for the Prestige Hotel Awards by members of the public online and a research judge attended with their family to run the rule over the offering of the luxury bed and breakfast accommodation.

Earlier this year, hospitality staff at Dumfries House estate received six awards at The Scottish Hotel Of The Year Awards. Colin led the five-star accommodation to awards glory just months after taking up his new role.

Sitting on the edge of the 2000-acre Dumfries House estate and only a few hundred metres from Dumfries House itself, the Lodge is an exclusive five-star country guest house that offers 22 luxury guest rooms and two self-catering cottages. From July 2017 to July 2018, the lodge welcomed more than 15,500 guests.

Home to the largest known collection of furniture designer Thomas Chippendale’s early work, Dumfries House remained untouched for 250 years before it was saved for the nation by HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay in 2007.

It now operates as a tourist attraction and education hub, offering young people the opportunity to engage in learning experiences that
promote confidence, personal development and training in real life skills.

The Prince’s Foundation, formed in April as a result of consolidation of Dumfries House Trust and other charities, is headquartered at Dumfries House. The Prince’s Foundation is now the second-largest employer in East Ayrshire with more than 200 full-time and part-time staff across the house, estate and education and training programmes.

General admission to Dumfries House is free while guided house tours can be booked in advance by calling 01290 425 959.