An Inspector Calls: Holdsworth House wows mystery guest and becomes Halifax’s First Four Star Hotel

Halifax can now officially boast its first four star hotel after an AA inspector stayed unannounced at Holdsworth House Hotel & Restaurant last week confirming our position in the luxury Yorkshire hotel market.

Co-owner Gail Moss said: ‘We’re absolutely thrilled. The core team of thirty-plus team had already won the top AA merit score of any 3 star hotel in West Yorkshire so there wasn’t really much room for manoeuvre. We will continue to offer exceptional value and feel the four star rating finally reflects the outstanding customer service, professionalism and quality.’

Our historic Jacobean property becomes the only official AA inspected four-star hotel in the area, already topping all other accommodation classifications – B&Bs, Inns and Restaurants with Rooms – on Tripadvisor. The hotel’s new 75% AA merit score (a measure that judges hotels within each star rating category) puts Holdsworth House up with the best in Yorkshire.

Reflecting on the recent assessment, the AA Inspector said, “Holdsworth House remains a lovely place to stay because of its unique style, high quality and relaxed atmosphere. Hospitality and service comfortably met four-star expectations; guests were well cared for from arrival through to departure. Food was enjoyable, particularly my restaurant meal which showed good use of quality produce and continues to be worthy of a 2 AA Rosette award.”

Independently owned by one family since 1962, co-owner Gail Moss said, “In our 50^th year of ownership I am incredibly proud of the team for achieving four stars and for winning 2 Restaurant Rosettes for the 13^th year in a row! It doesn’t matter if the guest is a mystery AA Inspector, someone staying on business or a bride to be, the team is supreme when it comes to making everyone feel welcome and for providing a haven of peace and quality.

“We count services such as free Wifi and a free welcome drink on arrival as the basics. It’s going the extra mile that makes the difference to a guest’s experience. Its a family-owned business so everyone here really cares about what they do. We’re never complacent – as a market leader it’s all about staying at the number 1 spot, not resting on our laurels.

“We‘re doing all we can to attract business from outside of Yorkshire, linking with key attractions such as The Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Halifax’s own Eureka!, the Viaduct Theatre, Square Chapel and Halifax’s world-class Cooking School to show the country what Yorkshire has to offer. Plus we’re getting behind the Welcome to Yorkshire ‘Back Le Bid’ – a brilliant campaign to persuade the Tour de France to come to Yorkshire in 2016.”

Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire tourism agency, added: “This is fantastic news and testament to the dedication of the team at Holdsworth House. They have worked hard to keep on raising the bar and secured some much deserved national recognition after being featured on Jamie Oliver’s recent TV show. This is great news for both Halifax and Yorkshire”