Success for Stornoway hotel bar

The business opened last year following a £200,000 joint investment with operators Punch and publican Tom Strathmore.

The 16 ensuite-room hotel, located on Castle Street and boasting stunning views of the harbour and castle, was recognised at the 13th annual Scottish Hotel Awards.

The team were judged on the bar design and comfort and the service provided by the team.

Awards researcher and editor of Scotland Magazine, Christopher Coates, said: “The range and quality here is outstanding.

“The downstairs pub offers over 45 different bottles craft beers in addition to more conventional cask and keg offerings.

“The lounge bar has 91 craft gins – which is more than is often seen in specialist gin bars – and there are also over 70 single malts available too.

“All served with passion and knowledge by the team who are clearly engaged in the selection process. With ongoing refinement, The Crown is one to watch in this category.”

The Crown also offers a restaurant serving tasty, freshly prepared meals and has established itself as a popular venue for the locals and tourists at the heart of the community.

Tom said: “This is such an amazing achievement for the team and we are all extremely proud to have picked up the award.

“The hotel team has done a fantastic job in terms of providing excellent customer service since we re-opened in June 2015.

“I’d like to thank them for all their hard work and dedication and look forward to developing our award-winning formula to further enhance The Crown Hotel.”

Senior partnership development manager for Punch, Gavin Stevenson, added: “I’d like to congratulate the entire team at The Crown Hotel, what a fabulous achievement.

“Not only did The Crown pick up awards, two of our other venues were also in the spotlight on the night.

“The Newburgh Inn near Ellon was awarded for its dining and location as a golfing hotel and team member, Johnny MacGregor won a Rising Star award. The Portree Hotel in Skye won Best Regional Town Hotel and Best National Town Hotel.”

The award wins coincide with Punch announcing plans to invest over £3million in its Scottish estate over the next 12 months which will create around 250 new jobs.