News & Announcements

The Burlington Restaurant at the Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel at Bolton Abbey has been awarded four AA-rosettes.

The Michelin-starred restaurant in North Yorkshire joins 24 other establishments in the UK in the ranks of four-AA-rosette-holders.
 
The AA has also elevated 12 restaurants to three AA-rosette status.

Head chef Steve Smith joined the Devonshire Arms in spring 2008 replacing Michael Wignall and last year gained a Michelin star at the Burlington Restaurant. He was previously head chef at Seaham Hall, County Durham, where he held three rosettes and a Michelin star. The AA praised the Burlington Restaurant for its consistency as well as its innovative and skilful modern cooking.

Devonshire Arms managing director Iain Shelton said: "We are delighted and it goes to show that Steve is a chef of real quality. He has been working incredibly hard over the last few years, not just at the Devonshire Arms but also in his previous roles, and it's fantastic to see that his efforts have paid off."

An additional 12 restaurants have been awarded three AA rosettes. The winners, which include both new and existing establishments across the UK, were praised by the AA for their "high standards".

Celebrate with us:

To mark the award you are invited to celebrate with us with a special dining offer of four for the price of two on the Tasting Menu.  Click here for more details.

The Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel and Spa at Bolton Abbey is boasting record room sales for 2009 with October breaking the 1,000 room nights ceiling. And the year is not yet out.

Despite the economy the short breaks market is still buoyant, helped by a weak pound encouraging many tourists to stay within the UK . The Devonshire Arms has worked hard to capitalise on this situation and run four successful targeted campaigns to its loyal customer base as well as promoting via the internet.

General Manager, Brian van Oosten, commented, “It has been very interesting talking to our guests. Some have been rediscovering this part of the world after a short lapse whilst others have come to the Yorkshire Dales for the first time.  If I had a pound for every time someone has said, “If only we’d realised how stunningly beautiful it is” I would be a very rich man!  It doesn’t matter how much you tell people this is the most unspoilt and beautiful part of England, they have to come here and realise it for themselves.”

“What is even more interesting is that once they’re here, many of our guests don’t get in their cars at all during their stay, choosing instead to explore the Bolton Abbey Estate on foot, spend time in the Spa or do absolutely nothing at all.”

The Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel has been shortlisted for an award in Excellence in Marketing given by HRS (Hotel Reservations Services) in conjunction with the Best Practice Forum, The British Hospitality Association, The Institute of Hospitality and the Meetings Industry Association.
 
These prestigious awards are judged by industry experts who are looking for innovation, clarity of thought, analysis of response and above all, successful results.

The Devonshire Arms ran four successful marketing campaigns during 2009 offering added value and incentives to stay.  General Manager, Brian van Oosten explained, “The market is very competitive at the moment however we feel it is essential to maintain standards and service which is just not possible if a hotel reduces its rates to silly prices. However, we can offer great added value which we have done and, for those guests who are able to be flexible and book well ahead, we have made some off peak deals available.  We have worked hard to drive the idea that it is better to book well in advance to get the best value rates. These have been promoted strongly via direct mail to a targeted database, on the internet and via third party sites.  So successful have these campaigns been we have broken all records for the number of room nights sold and the year is not yet out.”

This season, the exclusive Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel and Spa in the Yorkshire Dales invites you to ‘detox in style’ with a heavenly new package designed to turn its guests into glowing pictures of health.

Those concerned ‘detox’ is shorthand for suffering and misery need fear not. The Devonshire Arms’  take on the detox lifestyle never sacrifices the pleasure, pampering and comfort that is at the heart of the luxury boutique hotel.

The Devonshire Arms Detox Package costs £295 per room per night and is inclusive of the following:

• Non-alcoholic cocktails on arrival
• A fruit platter
• A bracing run on the moors with Captain Style, the hotel’s resident ex-army fitness fanatic
• A choice of treatments in the hotel’s state-of-the-art spa
• Dinner in The Devonshire Brasserie & Bar
• Overnight accommodation in one of the hotel’s lavishly furnished rooms
• A ‘healthy start’ breakfast

The Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel and Spa is a grand boutique hotel set in the heart of the glorious Yorkshire Dales National Park. It is owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and has been in their family since 1753. Originally a coaching inn, the hotel has undergone a significant evolution over the centuries to become the ultimate rural retreat combining 21st Century comfort and luxury set with the wild, idyllic beauty of the Yorkshire countryside. The hotel has 40 bedrooms and suites all featuring sumptuous fabric furnishing, flat screen TVs, wireless internet, original artwork, hypo-allergenic pillows, hospitality trays with Chatsworth fine china, and hot water bottles.

The hotel is lucky enough to have its own health spa, a peaceful oasis of calm in which to recoup and recharge batteries. Its facilities include a large pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, plunge pool, gym and relaxation lounge. There are three beauty therapy rooms offering a range of aromatherapy and holistic treatments using products by luxury brand Elemis.

The Michelin Red Guide, regarded as the most influential gastronomic gradings guide in Europe, has awarded a coveted star to The Burlington restaurant at The Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel & Spa, Bolton Abbey.

The Duke of Devonshire, KCVO, CBE, DLC, commented, “My wife and I are delighted for the whole team and particularly for Steve Smith.  I know what an exciting moment it is for all the staff and it is testimony to all their hard work and of course Steve’s remarkable talent.”

34 year old Head Chef Steve Smith, who only took over the reigns of The Burlington’s kitchen in spring 2008, was quick to praise his team, “I have a great line-up of talented chefs who have been very responsive to my demands and this is a just reward for their commitment. We are also very fortunate to have wonderful local produce and supplies right on our doorstep.”

When Steve Smith joined the Burlington he brought with him ten years of Michelin star experience.  General Manager Brian Van-Oosten said,  “This award is a tribute to Steve Smith who I think is possibly the only chef to have won this accolade at each of the four restaurants where he was head chef and it is proof not only of his own creative talent but also his ability to motivate and train a young team up to the exceptionally high standards required to achieve this star rating. We must also pay tribute to Restaurant Manager Eric Arens whose team delivers a seamless and thoroughly professional service and who has led this team here for the past six years.”

Before making an award anonymous inspectors make several visits to judge creativity, food quality, menu balance, restaurant service and staff knowledge. However, it is predominantly the skill of the Head Chef whose cooking is being judged and Steve Smith, Head Chef at The Devonshire Arms, is a worthy recipient of this honour. The integrity of The Red Guide is without parallel and the star award firmly places the Burlington restaurant in the premier league alongside just 6 other restaurants in the whole of Yorkshire and the North East.