The Maple Bar at Hotel Westport – Ireland’s Best Hotel Bar Experience

The Maple Bar at Hotel Westport was named Ireland’s Best Hotel Bar Experience at the Licensing World Bar of the Year Awards 2012.

Shortlisted alongside prestigious hotels such as The Shelbourne, Druids Glenn, Carton House, The Dillon and the Radission, winning the award is a fantastic achievement for Hotel Westport. The award was presented in front of 300 members of the licensed and hospitality trade at a gala banquet in Dublin’s Clyde Court Hotel,

The 4-star Hotel Westport is family owned and is one of the leading luxury hotels in County Mayo. Hotel Westport’s Maple Bar, under the stewardship of John MacNamara and Kevin Kennedy, was highlighted for its excellent customer service, friendly and well-trained bar staff and for ‘an all round excellent experience of hospitality and comfort’.

Commenting on the achievement Mr Cathal Hughes, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Hotel Westport, said “I am extremely pleased about the numerous great achievements at Hotel Westport recently, which include an AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence, Kevin Kennedy representing Ireland in the Havana Club International Cocktail Grand Prix in Cuba and now winning this latest award, The Licencing World Hotel Bar of the Year Award.”

Commenting on the win, Nigel Tynan, Editor of Licensing World and Chairman of the Bar Awards, said ‘Hotel Westport really impressed our judging panel, customer service was truly excellent and bar staff were happy to go above and beyond expectations.

“It is great to see such a well-run hotel bar that is working to ensure all customers have a truly positive experience. Whether you’re looking for a bite to eat or a quiet pint, or maybe a cocktail with friends, Hotel Westport has something for everyone,’ said Nigel Tynan.

Declan Heneghan, General Manager of the hotel said ‘This additional national award, which is one of many this year, is an outcome of the emphasis the hotel places on customer care and development of its people to deliver excellence to its guests. The hotel invests in its people and puts the supports in place to deliver. We are committed to a process of continuos improvement in everything we do here at the hotel. We are committed to innovation also, this of course symptomatic of the general thrust in Westport of quality, which was borne out in the duo of national awards received this week’.

The Licensing World Bar of the Year Awards

The Licensing World Bar of the Year Awards is an all-Ireland awards programme dedicated to highlighting and rewarding excellence within the licensed trade.

All premises that enter the Licensing World Bar of the Year Awards are visited incognito by an expert panel of judges. Visits take place during April and May. Each entry is assessed on a lengthy series of relevant criteria including welcome, customer service, ambience, staff training, hygiene, décor, product range and customer appeal.

‘The bar trade is under considerable pressure right now so it’s important to recognise the important role publicans play in Irish society, both as major local employers and as a valuable source of amenities for tourists to Ireland – don’t forget, the pub is consistently named by Lonely Planet as the number one attraction for visitors to this country. Each Finalist in our Bar of the Year Awards is an excellent operator that is dedicated to real customer service and to providing provide an excellent social destination,’ explained Nigel Tynan, editor of Licensing World and chairman of the Bar of the Year Awards.