A LAKE District hotel group has won Family Business of the Year at a regional awards ceremony.

Family-run Lake District Hotels, which operates six venues in the Lake District, picked up the award at the 2021 in-Cumbria Business Awards which took place at The Halston in Carlisle on Thursday.

Dani Hope, who is a director at the hotels along with her parents Kit and Charles Graves, dedicated the award to them and their hard work as she took to the stage.

She later added: “It’s a real honour to receive this award especially as there are so many fantastic family businesses operating in the Lake District and Cumbria.

“Along with our brilliant team at Lake District Hotels, we work every day to ensure our guests have the best experience with us, and the fact they return time after time to visit us is testament to that.

“After the difficulties of the past 18 months due to the pandemic, it’s wonderful to be able to celebrate something so positive with the team.”

Lake District Hotels operates six hotels including the Skiddaw Hotel, the Kings Arms, and the Inn on the Square, all in Keswick’s historic town square; the Borrowdale Hotel in Borrowdale, the Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa by Derwentwater, and the Inn on the Lake on the shores of Ullswater.

Established in 1983 by Kit and Charles when they bought the Kings Arms Hotel, the group has expanded its portfolio over the years and invested in its properties.

In 2014, the former Queens Hotel in Keswick was transformed into the Inn on the Square thanks to a £2.5 million refurbishment, while the Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa underwent a major investment in 2018 with the opening of a luxury new spa, 18 spa suites and the award-winning pan-Asian Mizu restaurant.

Lake District Hotels puts its profits back into the business, with an ongoing programme of refurbishment and investment ensuring the most up-to-date facilities for its guests.

The group also invests in its team with competitive salaries and training and development, and a range of additional benefits including discounted accommodation and dining rates within the group and a long service awards scheme.

Dani joined her parents in the business 10 years ago, with all three involved in the day-to-day operation of the hotels.

The in-Cumbria Business Awards recognise and reward the best of Cumbrian business. Now in its fifth year, this year’s event was hosted by TV presenter Helen Skelton.