Success is golden for a luxury hotel near Oban which has been presented with the highest award given by VisitScotland.
The Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa and Island has won the gold award for country houses — a testament to its outstanding service — having already achieved VisitScotland five-star status.
The hotel, which stands on its own small island, accessed by bridge from Benderloch, first gained its five-star rating five years ago and has continued to strive for excellence since.
Beppo Buchanan-Smith, managing director of the family business, said: “I am very proud of the team who work here.
“They work endlessly and tirelessly to produce the standard of service that we have.
“People get the choice to go anywhere in the world, but what sets us apart in Scotland is our level of service and hospitality.
“It sets us as a world-class destination.
“I can invest all that I can into the facilities, but it is down to the service and the standards of the staff that actually creates that.”
VisitScotland’s regional director, David Adams McGilp, said: “I’m delighted that the hard work and dedication of the Isle of Eriska Hotel has been rewarded with five gold stars.
“Establishments such as the Isle of Eriska Hotel really are the leading lights in tourism when it comes to exceptional quality and service in accommodation provision.
“The rewards of these gold stars will be reaped not only by the hotel, but also by their customers and, by extension, Scottish tourism as a whole, as we work together to encourage visitors to Scotland to stay longer and spend more.”
The hotel has also been shortlisted in the Taste of Scotland category at the Scottish Thistle Awards. The winners will be announced next Saturday.