A RYEDALE hotel and spa is celebrating after it held on to a prestigious hospitality award.

The Feversham Arms Hotel and Verbena Spa has retained its coveted four AA red stars, as well as its two AA rosettes for dining in The Weathervane Restaurant.

The success of the Helmsley venue is even more special for the team as it follows a staff restructure, with new operations manager Dan Craddock and new head chef Christopher Hobley taking the helm.

Jeremy Rata is the owner’s representative and currently oversees the running of both The Feversham and its sister hotel The Black Swan, also located in Helmsley.

He said: “It has been an extremely busy 12 months at the Feversham Arms. But the team has worked hard to make sure that the level of service and the customer experience continues to impress our guests.”

“We have so much more planned here at the hotel and we are looking to build on our acclaimed AA ranking which puts us in a very exclusive club.”

According to the AA’s website, red stars are the “inspector’s choice” and are awarded to “the best hotels in each rating” - those which “stand out as the very best in the UK, regardless of style”.

Highlights from the AA report included service and hospitality, a friendly and engaging team and meet and greet service in breakfast.

Stephen Wilkinson, AA senior hotel and restaurant inspector, spoke about the high points of dining in The Weathervane.

He said: “The Feversham Arms continues to deliver an enjoyable two rosette meal experience in The Weathervane restaurant under the leadership of head chef, Christopher Hobley.

“The inspector found the sourdough bread served was perfectly executed and both Marmite and salted butter complimenting well.

“Great use of quality produce across the menu noted.”

The Feversham Arms Hotel has 33 bedrooms along with a spa outdoor heated pool and services such as valet parking.