Nominations are now open for Receptionist of the Year, Most Promising Receptionist and Reception Team of the Year

The Northern Ireland Hotels Federation (NIHF) has officially launched the NIHF Receptionist Awards 2026, celebrating the front-of-house team members whose skill, adaptability and professionalism are instrumental in creating outstanding guest experiences across Northern Ireland’s hotels.

This year’s awards will take place at the Armagh City Hotel, celebrating the dedication and skill of those working at the very heart of the guest journey.

A key fixture in the hotel industry calendar, the NIHF Receptionist Awards shine a spotlight on the vital role reception teams play in shaping first impressions and delivering consistently outstanding service. This year’s competition will feature a varied and engaging programme of tasks, designed to reflect the evolving and dynamic nature of the front-of-house role within today’s hotel sector.

Vicky Green, President of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, said:

“Reception teams play a critical role in shaping the guest experience and are responsible for creating a positive first and lasting impression of our destination. Their ability to combine professionalism, effective problem-solving and genuine warmth ensures that every guest interaction truly counts.

“The NIHF Receptionist Awards provide an important opportunity to recognise the talent, resilience and commitment of those working on the front line of our industry. Their contribution is fundamental to the success, reputation and continued growth of our hotels and wider hospitality sector.”

The NIHF Receptionist Awards 2026 will include three categories:

• Receptionist of the Year
• Most Promising Receptionist
• Reception Team of the Year

The selection process will consist of three rigorous stages:

• Friday, 06 March 2026 – Closing date for all online applications
• Tuesday, 24 March 2026 – Assessment Day at Clayton Hotel Belfast
• Tuesday, 14 April 2026 – Final Interviews at Clayton Hotel Belfast

The finalists will then gather for the Awards Dinner on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, at The Armagh City Hotel, where the winners will be announced and celebrated.

This event is made possible through the support of valued partners including Tourism Northern Ireland, Guestline, Net Affinity, Insight6 and Life Adventure.

For full details and to submit nominations, please visit the NIHF website: www.nihf.co.uk. The closing date for online entries is Friday, 06 March 2026.

“Check-in” for the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation (NIHF) Receptionist Awards 2026. Following an assessment day at the Clayton Hotel Belfast, in-person interviews and a ‘mystery shopper’ visit, shortlisted entrants will be invited to attend an awards dinner on Wednesday, 13 May 2026 at The Armagh City Hotel. The awards are supported by Tourism Northern Ireland, Guestline, Net Affinity, Insight6, and Life Adventure. For full details and to submit nominations, visit www.nihf.co.uk. The closing date for online entries is Friday, 06 March 2026.

NIHF 1 (L-R) Clio O’Gara, Business Development Manager, Access Hospitality Ireland; NIHF President, Vicky Green; John Keating, Operational Director, Life Adventure Co; and Marius Gabriel Lungu, Account Executive, Access Hospitality Ireland.

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Let the countdown begin…get ready for the annual industry night of the year, returning to the equally iconic Europa Hotel in 2026.

The LCN Awards have become synonymous with recognising excellence in Northern Ireland’s vibrant hospitality sector. The event typically brings together over 500 hopefuls competing for the most prestigious titles across a wide range of categories.

It’s a night dedicated to celebrating the very best in Northern Ireland’s hospitality and leisure industries.

This highly anticipated event promises to be bigger and more exciting than ever before.

From top-tier hotels and acclaimed restaurants to community pubs and cutting-edge digital marketing campaigns, the LCN Awards celebrate innovation, service, and dedication to excellence. This year’s event will honour achievements in categories including:

• Bar Person of the Year
• Cafe/Bistro of the Year
• Chef of the Year
• Community Pub of the Year
• Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year
• Entrepreneur of the Year
• Hotel of the Year (Over and Up to 75 Rooms)
• Best Food to Go
• Lifetime Achievement Award

And many more…

It’s the industry night of the year celebrating your excellence, our stage. Includes Awards ceremony, dinner and dancing – plus an after show Speakeasy in the NEW Europa Lobby.

Mark your calendar now for a night of celebration, networking, and success!

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The inspector noted the friendliness and professionalism of all the team members during their stay, but it was Flory’s natural instinct to go above and beyond in the delivery of her customer service and showing great anticipation of guests’ needs that impressed.

The AA only offer a small number of the Courtesy and Care awards every year to recognise those who provide outstanding customer service to the inspectors as they tour the UK.

Hotels are unaware that an inspection is taking place until the mystery guest checks out the following morning. The AA provides a trusted assessment carried out under a set of quality standards agreed by an independent Quality Advisory Board.

Galgorm Collection prides itself on providing an enhanced guest experience and provides training on a continuous basis to its employees to ensure each team member has the opportunity for development, learning new skills and career progression.

Laura Millar, People and Development Associate Director at Galgorm Collection commented on Flory’s award and said: “We are delighted that Flory’s hard work and her commitment to our guests have been recognised by the AA. She joined us eight years ago and achieved an OCN level two in Food and Beverage Service from the NI Hospitality School in 2023. Flory has really made her mark within the food and beverages team, with her colleagues and guests.

“An AA inspection is the benchmark of hotel inspections as it includes a rigorous assessment against all aspects of hospitality, from comfort and cleanliness to food and drink offerings to overall guest experience. We are very proud of Flory and all our team who strive to deliver the very best in customer service to all of our guests.”

The five-star Galgorm Resort, part of Galgorm Collection, features a globally award-winning luxury thermal spa village and boasts a range of restaurants and bars, including Gillies Restaurant and Fratelli Ristorante, which both hold an AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence. Set in over 550 acres parkland in County Antrim, the prestigious resort is renowned for its world-class hospitality.

Galgorm Collection is a major local employer, offering a wide range of careers at all levels and has dramatically scaled up its hospitality footprint and workforce over the last decade.  As its growth continues, so does the company’s unwavering commitment to both economic impact and community support.

Flory Dragomir, Food and Beverages Assistant at Galgorm Resort, part of Galgorm Collection, has been awarded a prestigious AA Courtesy and Care Award.

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The five-star Enniskillen resort was handed the prize at the Licensed and Catering News Awards 2024, held in Belfast’s Crowne Plaza Hotel on Sunday, June 9.

Judges assessed the venue through a mystery guest’s inspection, with a rigorous set of winning conditions.

Bathroom renovation company Bath Fitter sponsored the category.

Manager, Gareth Byrne, said: “We are very proud of this very prestigious accolade.

“We would like to thank our ownership group Advantage Capital Partners and TRU Hotels and Resorts, as well as our management and staff, as their dedication to providing an excellent experience was paramount to winning this award.

“We would also like to thank our many cherished customers for making this happen.”

To celebrate the resort is offering a promotion including an overnight midweek stay in a newly refurbished guest room, use of the infinity pool, and a boatyard gin and tonic in The Blaney Bar, starting at £169 per room.

Also celebrating a huge win at the LCN Awards having been named Pub of the Year is Portstewart’s Anchor Bar.

Taking to social media after the lifting award sponsored by ponsored by Tennent’s NI, they wrote: “We are overjoyed and immensely grateful to announce that we have been awarded PUB OF THE YEAR 2024 & finalised for LIVE MUSIC VENUE @ the LCN awards ceremony.

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On June 7 Belfast’s Crowne Plaza was the place to be for the biggest and best awards dinner to date, with those who have worked hardest and show the most innovation with their offering recognised for their endeavour.

Linencare was the overall sponsor for the event and Spotcheck again did the tasting, sipping and testing as hard graft and entrepreneurship was rewarded across a range of categories.

The worthy winners were:

• Pub of the Year: The Anchor, Portstewart, sponsored by Tennent’s NI
• Community Pub of the Year: The Maverick, Belfast, sponsored by Drinks Inc
• Pub Food of the Year: Friel’s Bar and Restaurant, Swatragh, sponsored by Licensed and Catering News
• Bar Person of the Year: Benny Bresnahan. Top of the Town, sponsored by Madri Exceptional
• Style Bar of the Year: The Post House, Belfast, sponsored by Schweppes
• Tourist Pub of the Year: The Station Bar, Portrush, sponsored by Rockshore
• Hotel of the Year – up to 75 rooms: Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges, sponsored by Bibendum
• Hotel of the Year – over 75 rooms: Lough Erne Resort, Fermanagh, sponsored by Bath Fitter
• Live Music Venue of the Year: Dormans Bar, Magherafelt, sponsored by PPL PRS
• Newcomer of the Year: The Ebrington Hotel, Derry, sponsored by Edward Dillon NI Ltd
• Restaurant of the Year: Waterman, Belfast, sponsored by Lyreco
• Cafe/Bistro of the Year: Safehouse Cafe Bar, Portrush, sponsored by Frylite and AAK Foodservice
• Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year: Hastings Hotels, sponsored by Ireland’s Wedding Journal
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Sean Owens, sponsored by Three Cents
• Entrepreneur of the Year, Rajesh Rana, sponsored by FEB Chartered Accountants,
• Fish and Chip Shop of the Year: The Ruddy Duck Fish House, Holywood, sponsored by McWhinney Sausages
• Outstanding Customer Service Award: The Corner House Bar, Derrymacash, sponsored by Bank of Ireland UK Payment Acceptance
• Chef of the Year: Kyle Green, Europa, sponsored by FloGas
• Sustainability Champion: Andras Hotels, sponsored by Linencare

Licensed and Catering News publisher Bill Penton said of the recipients: “Every one of the prizewinners tonight showed a dedication to their business that went above and beyond the norm and with that a dedication to providing the best possible experience to all their customers.

“It was again a great night and a wonderful opportunity to connect with friends old and new and most importantly to celebrate the great hospitality industry that we have here in Northern Ireland.”

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