Winners of 2013 My Isle of Wight Awards Announced

Last night saw 49 Island businesses commended at the annual Red Funnel myisleofwight.com Awards, at a ceremony at Quay Arts. The top two nominees from across 26 categories were invited to find out who had scooped this years awards. The winning businesses were presented with their handmade Glory Art Glass Award by Red Funnel CEO Kevin George.

Now in its second year, Red Funnel’s myisleofwight.com Awards are the only tourism awards on the Isle of Wight which are voted for by visitors. This year there was an increase in votes cast from 4,422 across 24 categories to 27,629 votes across 26 categories. New this year was the addition of Best Fish & Chips in Your Hand and Best Place to Hook Up (Caravanning and Touring).

Kevin George, CEO for Red Funnel said: “We are delighted that so many visitors have engaged with this year’s awards. It is a great way for Red Funnel and the industry to gauge what visitors have enjoyed most about their time on the Island and it provides fantastic publicity for all the businesses involved.”

Stand out winners, taking home awards in two categories were; Ninham Country Holidays for Best Place to Hook Up (Caravanning & Touring) as well as Best Rustic Camping Experience. The Royal Hotel for the second year running scooped both Best Epicurean Spot to Blow the Budget and The Ultimate Classic Hotel Experience. While new this year, the team behind Chessell Pottery proved firm favourites winning both the Best Afternoon/Cream Tea and Best Place to Get Crafty categories.             

Other new winners this year were Seaview Wildlife Encounter who took Best Place to Make a Furry Friend, Robin Hill scooped Best Place for Something for the Family, Most Comfy Bed & Hearty Breakfast went to The Little Gloster and the Vintage Vacations Shack took Cosiest Cottage Hideaway. Best Oldy-Worldy Pub with Island Ale went to The Spyglass Inn and Best Homemade Burger to Coast.

New this year was Best Fish and Chips In Your Hand, which was won by Corries Cabin Cowes, while last year’s category Best Refreshment Stop whilst out Walking/Pedalling was replaced this year with Best Eaterie with a Sea View – taken home by Steephill Cove Crab Shed.

myisleofwight.com Editor Alix Robinson said “ It’s incredible to see the leap in votes cast this year and be able to feedback this praise to the industry. There were some businesses who have won two years in a row now – so they are obviously hitting the spot and exceeding visitors’ expectations! With new winners in many categories this year, it is clear how visitors recognize the industry’s commitment to constantly improving the visitor offering on the Island. The 2014 awards are now open so everyone can get voting to make sure that their top choice is in with a chance to win this year.”

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Notes to editors:
myisleofwight.com, the Island’s independent visitor guide and online magazine, has been keeping visitors and locals informed on all that is great about the Island since 2011.

Established and funded by Red Funnel Isle of Wight Ferries to engage with new visitors, it has proved to be a real local’s guide to the Island. The site focuses on the Isle of Wight’s best events, eateries, places to visit or stay, features, guides, blogs, documentaries, photography and film - all written and created by Islanders.

Red Funnel myisleofwight Awards 2013 winners:

Best Fish and Chips in your Hand
Corries Cabin Cowes

Best Place to Hook Up (Caravanning & Touring)
Ninham Country Holidays

The Ultimate Classic Hotel Experience
The Royal

Cosiest Cottage Hideaway
Vintage Vacations Shack

Best Place to Go Glamping
Tom’s Eco Lodges

Best Place for a Shindig (self catering)
Tapnell Farm

Most Comfy Bed & Hearty Breakfast
The Little Gloster

Best Epicurean Spot to Blow the Budget
The Royal

Best Eaterie with a Sea view
Steephill Cove Crab Shed

Best Homemade Burger
Coast

Best Oldy Worlde Pub with Island Ales
The Spyglass Inn

The Best Afternoon/Cream Tea
Chessell Pottery Courtyard Café

Best Place to Fill Your Boots (Full of Local Produce)
Garlic Farm

Favourite Local Produce to Gorge On
Minghella Ice Cream

Shops to Pick Up That something Special
Live Like This

Best Event to Lie Back and Soak Up the Sounds
Bestival

Best Event to Burn Off the Calories
Walk the Wight

Best Event to be Immersed in Culture
Ventnor Fringe

Best Place for Something for the Family
Robin Hill

Best Place to Make a Furry Friend
Seaview Wildlife Encounter

Best Place to Go Back in Time
Osborne House

Best Place to Explore Gardens
Ventnor Botanic Gardens

Best Place to Get Crafty
Chessell Pottery

Best Water-Based Activity Provider
UKSA

Best Land-Based Activity Provider
Island Gems Fossil Hunts

Best Rustic Camping Experience
Ninham Country Holidays