Some of the North’s leading hospitality names are in the running for national recognition after the finalists for the 2026 AA Hospitality Awards were revealed.
Grantley Hall in North Yorkshire and Seaham Hall in County Durham are among those shortlisted for this year’s awards, which celebrate the people, teams and businesses setting standards across UK hospitality. The AA has so far announced finalists across six categories: Housekeeper of the Year, Rising Star, Sustainable Award, Spa Hotel of the Year, Large Hotel Team of the Year and Small Hotel Team of the Year. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London on Monday 21st September 2026, with this year marking the 29th edition of the awards.
Simon Numphud, Managing Director of AA Hotel & Hospitality Services said: “Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists. They represent the passion, innovation and dedication that make the UK hospitality sector so extraordinary. There is exceptional work happening across our industry with individuals, teams and businesses continually raising standards to deliver memorable guest experiences, often in the face of significant challenges. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of those who have not only raised the bar but also inspire others to do the same.”
For the North East, Seaham Hall will fly the flag after being named one of just three finalists for AA Spa Hotel of the Year. The five-star County Durham hotel, which sits on the coast at Seaham, has been shortlisted alongside the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, Scotland, and The Scarlet Hotel in Mawgan Porth, Cornwall. The award recognises hotels delivering exceptional wellness experiences through their facilities, service and approach to guest wellbeing.
Meanwhile, Grantley Hall, near Ripon in North Yorkshire, is represented in the AA Rising Star Award, with Isaac Arikawe named among three finalists from across the UK. Designed to recognise emerging hospitality talent making an impact early in their career, the award is open to people working across front and back-of-house, management and support roles. Isaac is shortlisted alongside Danielle Lorne of The Reserve at Chester Zoo and Ilona Harris of Cromlix in Stirling.
Northern England has further representation through Joanna Przybysz of Liverpool’s Hope Street Hotel, who has been shortlisted for AA Housekeeper of the Year, while Cheshire’s The Reserve at Chester Zoo is represented by Danielle Lorne in the Rising Star category.
Now in its 29th year, the AA Hospitality Awards recognise excellence across the UK hotel and hospitality industry, from guest service and team performance to sustainability and wellness. The 2026 ceremony will also celebrate a major milestone for British food and hospitality, marking 70 years of the AA Rosette, one of the country’s longest-standing and most recognised measures of culinary excellence.
For food lovers, there is still one particularly significant announcement to come. The ceremony will reveal the winner of the AA Chefs’ Chef of the Year, one of the hospitality industry’s most respected culinary accolades, alongside a wider selection of awards yet to be announced. The overall UK winners of the AA B&B Awards will also be revealed during the ceremony.
