2017 My Isle of Wight Award Shortlist Revealed

Now into its sixth year, the myIsleofWight Awards is the Island's only visitor voted-for awards. The aim is to shine a light on the very best tourist businesses on the Island and give tourists to the popular UK holiday destination an opportunity to vote for their favourites. This year some 30,000 votes were cast across 24 unique categories.

The top three nominees from each category, who received the most votes, have been invited to the awards ceremony taking place at The Cow Co. Tapnell on 1st February, where the winners will be announced.

Speaking about this year's awards, Kevin George, CEO at Red Funnel, said: "Each year the myIsleofWight awards get bigger and better and we're delighted that even more new businesses have been nominated this year. It's a great evening that gives the companies that have been nominated the recognition they deserve. It's these businesses that really help to make the Island such a special place to visit."

On scooping three awards at last year's event, Chloe Baker, Accommodation Manager at Tom's Eco Lodges, said: "Being nominated last year was a great boost for our glamping business, and we were honoured to have walked away with three awards on the night. The awards are a great idea that really help to showcase the Isle of Wight's rich and varied tourism offer. We're looking forward to hopefully being a part of it again this time around!"

Voting closed on 31 December. There are 24 awards up for grabs, split over three main categories: 'Things to Do"; "Eat & Drink"; "Places to Stay".

Companies shortlisted for a 2017 Red Funnel myIsleofWight award:

Do: Best Place for Family Fun
Nominees: Robin Hill, Blackgang Chine, Tapnell Farm Park

Stay: The Ultimate Hotel Experience
Nominees: The Royal Hotel, The Seaview Hotel, North House (Cowes)

Eat: Best Cuppa & Slice of Something Nice
Nominees: Bluebells Café, Chessell Pottery, Quarr Abbey

Do: Best Event to Lie Back & Soak Up the Sounds
Nominees: Jack Up the 80's, Isle of Wight Festival, Fairweather Festival

Stay: Best Place to Go Glamping
Nominees: Tom' Eco Lodges, Vintage Vacations Airstreams, The Garlic Farm Yurts

Eat: The Best Homemade Burger
Nominees: Bluebells Café, The Smokehouse Burger Company, Three Buoys

Do: Best Shop to Pick Up that Something Special
Nominees: Jurassic Jim, Oasis, Quay Arts

Stay: Most Luxurious B&B
Nominees: The Hambrough, Bedford Lodge, The Little Gloster

Eat: Best Eaterie With a Sea View
Nominees: The Spyglass Inn, Three Buoys, The Wonky Cafe

Do: Best Place to make a Furry Friend
Nominees: Tapnell Farm Park, Monkey Haven, Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

Stay: Most Unique Place to Stay
Nominees: The Lighthouse Steephill Cove, Tom's Eco Lodges, Vintage Vacations (The Mission)

Eat: Best Fish & Chips in Your Hand
Nominees: The Codfather, Corries Cabin, Ventnor Haven Fishery

Do: Best Land-Based Activity Provider
Nominees: Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Tapnell Farm, John Cattle's Skate Club

Stay: Best Place to Hook Up (Caravanning & Touring)
Nominees: Appuldurcombe Gardens, Orchards Holiday Park, Whitecliff Bay

Eat: Best Pit Stop Whilst Out Adventuring
Nominees: Garlic Farm Café, The Cow Co, Off the Rails

Do: Best Way to Explore Outdoors
Nominees: Walk the Wight, Robin Hill, Osborne House

Stay: Best Place for a Shin Dig
Nominees: Steephill Cove (The Light House, Crow's Nest & Boathouse), Tapnell Manor, Vintage Vacations (The Mission & The Scout Hut)

Eat: Best Gastronomic Experience
Nominees: The Royal Hotel, Nomad, Three Bouys

Do: Best Water-Based Activity Provider
Nominees: Adventure Activities IOW, Wight Water, UKSA

Stay: Best Rustic Camping Experience
Nominees: Grange Farm, Compton Farm, Chine Farm

Eat: Best Oldy-Worldy Pub with Island Ale
Nominees: The Spyglass Inn, The Pointer Inn, The Taverners

Do: Best Place for Arts, Heritage & Culture
Nominees: Carisbrooke Castle, Quay Arts, Osborne House

Stay: Cosiest Hideaway
Nominees: The Lighthouse Steephill Cove, Tom's Eco Pods, NT Needles Coastguard Cottages

Eat: My Isle of Wight Local Produce Champion
Nominees: Garlic Farm, Briddlesford Farm Shop & Bluebells Café, Farmer Jacks

-ENDS-