Matfen Hall Country House Hotel in Newcastle upon Tyne has been named Independent Considerate Hotel of the Year at the 2006 Considerate & Environmentally Responsible Hotel Awards.

The 53-bedroom hotel proved its commitment to safeguarding the environment with an organically-farmed estate, efforts to preserve a local colony of red squirrels, and strong links to the local community, including local cricket club, schools and colleges and a local cancer charity.

On receiving his award, David Hunter, director and general manager of Matfen Hall, said: "The entire team is absolutely delighted, as this award endorses the extra effort that we put into environmental issues, working with the community and identifying partnerships with local and regional producers and suppliers for the long term sustainability of the area."

The awards took place on 17 January at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel on the second day of the Master Innholders General Manager’s Conference.

At the same ceremony, Novotel London West, another member of the British Hospitality Association (BHA) as part of Accor, was named Environmentally Responsible Hotel of the Year 2006 in the Group Category.

Two other members, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London, and the Best Western Deans Place Hotel in Alfriston, East Sussex, were also Highly Commended as Considerate Hotels in the Group and Independent Categories respectively.

The Considerate Hotels Award recognises hotels which play an active and essential part of the communities in which they operate.

The Environmentally Responsible Award, sponsored this year by WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme), highlights the initiatives and measures UK hotels are putting in place to reduce the amount of waste they dispose of and the costs of such disposal.

Liam Lambert, chair of the Considerate Hoteliers Association and director/general manager of the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel said: “Both the quality and the number of entries in this year’s competition reached new heights and the winners are thoroughly deserving of the highest praise.”

He added: “There are very clear indications that many hoteliers are now prepared to go outside their traditional areas of concern, that of optimum comfort and service for their guests and in addition contribute to the environment and improved quality of life locally, nationally and globally.”

For further information and a full list of winners contact Claire Laguna at Satellite MPR, telephone +44 (0)20 8361 3754, or email: [email protected]