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Island B&B honoured as the best in the South East!

Luxury Bed & Breakfast The Enchanted Manor on the Isle of Wight is celebrating being named the very best B&B in the entire South East in the prestigious 2007 Tourism ExSEllence Awards.

The Enchanted Manor, at St Catherine's Point, Sandrock road, Niton, is a five star Gold Award-rated B&B, originally built in 1838 and transformed in 2006 into a unique, boutique tourism business by owners Maggie and Ric Hilton.

The Tourism ExSEllence awards, sponsored by EDF Energy and organised by Tourism South East, attracted entries from a region covering Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxon, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, the Isle of Wight and Kent. Tourism businesses received awards from television presenter Jenny Powell at a glittering awards ceremony held at Wentworth Golf Club, Surrey.

Tourism South East managing director Bob Collier said: "Many congratulations to The Enchanted Manor, which is an exceptional business, committed to quality and innovation throughout all aspects of their operation. Tourism is a highly competitive global industry and requires continued investment in products and service. Businesses like this have led the way in enhancing the Isle of Wight's tourism industry, and play an essential role in helping encouraging more domestic and international visitors to enjoy and return to the South East."

The Enchanted Manor received the B&B/Guest Accommodation of the Year having impressed judges and scored highly across all criteria. Its seven luxury suites are complemented by a lounge area, swimming pool, snooker room and more, and the innovation and quality of facilities stood out in a highly competitive awards category.

Judges said "the accommodation offers impeccable quality and spaciousness" and said "innovation is at the heart of the business." Its sales and marketing performance was also highlighted as exceptional, and it was noted for delivering outstanding customer service: "Special arrangements and pampering are de rigeur and celebration is the theme for their short break offers. Numerous guests have thanked the owners for making their visit special."

The Enchanted Manor will represent the South East in the national Enjoy England Awards for Excellence in 2008.

The Tourism ExSEllence Awards recognise excellence, quality and innovation across all sectors of the tourism industry, with 15 categories. The Awards are supported by main sponsor EDF Energy, along with VisitBritain, Sport England South East, Take One Media and the South East Food Group Partnership.

Further information and a full list of winners at: www.industry.visitsoutheastengland.com

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Pic attached:
Enchanted Manor.jpeg: l-r: Ric and Maggie Hilton from Enchanted Manor receive their Tourism ExSEllence Award from Jenny Powell.

Media contact
For further information please contact Hayley Smith at Tourism South East on:
Tel: 023 8062 5502
Email: hsmith@tourismse.com

Notes to editors:

Tourism South East is the regional tourist board for South East England, covering Berks, Bucks, Oxon, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

EDF Energy is one of the UK's largest energy companies. We provide power to a quarter of the UK's population via our electricity distribution networks in London, the South East and the East of England. We supply gas and electricity to over 5 million customers and generate about 5GW of energy from our coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms. The company is also a key player in national infrastructure projects, including the electrical upgrading of the London Underground, management of private electricity networks serving four London airports and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the country's first new railway in 100 years. We employ nearly 13,000 people at locations across the UK. EDF Energy is a core part of EDF Group, one of Europe's largest power companies.