Bovey Castle in Dartmoor National Park is celebrating after being named as Devon’s best large hotel at a prestigious tourism awards for the second year running.

The 5 Red Star hotel was named ‘Large Hotel of the Year’ at the Devon Tourism Awards at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Plymouth.  

The award recognises large full-service hotels that provide exemplary service, a top-quality food offering and a stay that guests will remember for years to come.

Bovey Castle took the evening’s top award, winning ‘Gold’, to crown another year of growth which has seen the venue’s 18-hole championship golf course invest £40,000 in an all-weather heated four bay driving range, as memberships have doubled over the past year.

General Manager Dean Gunston said: “To win such a prestigious award not once but twice at the heart of one the UK’s most popular tourist destinations is no mean feat, and underlines what a top class venue and team we have here at Bovey Castle.

“We are a destination for all tastes and interests – whether it is a relaxing spa weekend, a golfing break with friends, or an active family holiday offering off-road driving experiences, archery and laser shooting to name a few – and it is our variety that is helping to drive our growth.”

The 20th-century Bovey Castle was built in 1907 and first opened as a hotel and golf resort in 1930.

It was acquired by the award-winning Eden Hotel Collection in 2014, and has since won numerous awards including 5 AA Red Stars in 2017 for its exceptional hospitality – the AA’s highest possible accolade.

The hotel offers 60 bedrooms throughout the historic manor alongside 22 self-catering country lodges tucked away within its 275 acres of beautiful countryside grounds.

It also features Smith's Brasserie, an 18-hole golf course which has been named one of the top 100 golf courses in Britain, tennis courts, the Elan Spa, and on-site experiences for adults and families including falconry, archery, cider and sloe gin-making and 4x4 off-road driving.

The Devon Tourism Awards were held for the 15th year and celebrate the best tourism attractions, venues and activities the region has to offer.

Successful businesses will now be fast tracked into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards, and could then reach the national VisitEngland awards later in the year.