Georgina Campbell Awards for Bedford and Roe Valley Hotels
Two Taste of Ulster members were honoured at the Georgina Campbell’s Ireland Guide Awards at an event in Dublin on Tuesday 21st, September, 2026.
The Georgina Campbell Heritage Hotel of the Year Award for 2026 was given to The Bedford Hotel, Belfast. The hotel opened in the historic Scottish Mutual Building in the city centre in April 2026.
In her citation, Georgina Campbell said “Facing Belfast City Hall from Donegall Square, The Bedford is an exciting example of how a significant city building can be given a new life without losing sight of its
past. Located in the Grade B1 listed Scottish Mutual Building, which dates back to 1904, the multi-million-pound restoration included the preservation of 32 original steel vault doors, and is rightly seen as a commitment to preserving the city’s architectural heritage. It respects the generous proportions and Edwardian character of the property while celebrating Belfast’s industrial heritage – and especially the linen industry – in thoughtful details throughout. The result is a hotel that feels rooted in the city rather than (as often happens) imposed upon it. Elegant bedrooms and handsome public rooms combine historic references with contemporary comfort, while the location welcomes guests to the heart of Belfast’s cultural and commercial life. And celebrated chef Noel McMeel gives the hotel another strong local connection through its food. At The Nineteen Hundred, he makes Northern Irish produce central to the experience, in his trademark style drawing on regional meat, poultry, seafood, potatoes, cheeses, apples and drinks. Friendly, efficient staff reinforce the sense of pride in both the hotel and the place it represents.
Heritage hospitality is not about preserving a building in aspic. It is about allowing history to inform a living, relevant experience. The Bedford achieves that balance with confidence and imagination, making this beautifully revived Belfast landmark a very worthy Heritage Hotel of the Year.”
In the Special Irish Hospitality section, the Georgina Campbell Family-Friendly Hotel of the Year 2026 accolade was given to the Roe Valley Resort, Limavady, Co Derry. The 4 star north coast resort is part of the Galgorm Group.
Georgina Campbell’s citation on Roe Valley is set in rolling countryside outside Limavady, Roe Valley Resort has the space and facilities that family breaks need, but its appeal goes beyond a checklist. Built around an 18th-century house and now part of the Galgorm Collection, the resort combines a sense of place with the flexibility required when several generations travel together. With 118 bedrooms, including family accommodation, extensive grounds and an 18-hole golf course, there is room to spread out. Leisure facilities include an indoor pool and fitness areas, while the surrounding countryside opens up possibilities for walking and exploring the north coast.
Ongoing investment under its new ownership is bringing fresh energy to a property that has long been known as a relaxing place to stay. Outstanding children’s facilities and activities have been added recently including a Kids Activity Zone, Kids Barn, Family Day Passes and Birthday Parties at Roe Valley, making this a major destination for family outings and breaks – and, along with simpler things like a children’s playroom and family-friendly dining that take some of the practical pressure out of travelling with younger guests, it seems that everything has been thought through. Importantly though, the resort can work for adults as well as children: spa, golf and dining ensure that a family holiday does not mean every moment must revolve around the youngest guest. The best family hotels make things easy without making the experience generic and Roe Valley Resort’s combination of space, activities, countryside and warm Northern hospitality makes it a particularly deserving Family Friendly Hotel of the Year.”
Now in their fourth decade, these are the longest-running awards of their kind in Ireland. Established by food and hospitality writer Georgina Campbell, they recognise excellence across the country, with winners selected through independent, year-round assessments by a team of experts who book anonymously and pay their bills like any other guest. Businesses cannot enter themselves, ensuring the awards remain focused on genuine quality and hospitality.
Congratulations to The Bedford and Roe Valley Resort.
