With 33 categories to choose from, there’s definitely one suitable for you.

We strongly encourage you to enter your property into multiple categories. There’s no limit of categories you may enter, but we offer a deal of five categories per property for €100, ten categories for €200 etc.

Deadline for entries is September.

Judges will be assigned as soon as entries are received, so please apply as soon as possible!

*Each property should be entered and billed individually.

If you have a Hotel Group or multiple properties to enter please contact our Events team 01 6401777 for group deals.

2024 Categories

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This award acknowledges excellence in each area of an Afternoon Tea experience. The judges will reward creativity, quality service, excellence in service and food quality displayed by the chefs and staff.

A hugely prestigious award presented in recognition of a hotel group, consisting of 3 or more properties, that has a proven track record of striving to ensure the very best levels of service, food and accommodation across the range of properties. Attention to detail is imperative and a committed and structured approach to future development is essential.

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This award recognises outstanding accommodation with the provision of superlative service at a five-star level. Entrants in this category provide luxurious accommodation which exudes opulence, comfort and extravagance. These hotel lobbies will be sumptuous, and the guest rooms complete with stylish furniture and quality linens. The team members go above and beyond expectations to exceed guest needs, in a lavish and deluxe environment.

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This award acknowledges excellence in service and accommodation in a 5 star resort environment. Finalists will demonstrate high standards, flawless service in a comfortable, quality resort, while both meeting and exceeding guest expectations. A property may only enter one or other category of Ireland’s 5 Star Resort or Ireland’s 5 Star Hotel.

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This award acknowledges excellence in service and accommodation in a four-star environment. Entrants should demonstrate high class, flawless service in a comfortable, quality establishment, while both meeting and exceeding guest expectations.

This award recognises the luxury and charm of country houses and guest houses across Ireland. The finalists of this award have provided a haven away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The ambience has been calm and relaxed, with a knowledgeable team to fulfil every need.
This category recognises five-star hotel spas in Ireland that have provided outstanding services to their clients. Finalists are being recognised on their capabilities in personalising treatments, variety and quality of treatments in addition to the level of service provided by therapists.

This award recognises the quality of the breakfast offered at hotels of any star rating. Factors considered by the judging panel included the quality of food offering, the variation and selection of produce, presentation, service standards, friendliness of the staff and the overall breakfast experience.

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This category recognises outstanding accommodation from a hotel that is cased in a city. The finalists will be recognised on their level of service, high standards surroundings and quality of food against the competition found in the city centre.
This prestigious award recognises the fine dining establishments within the hotel that provide exceptional service and superior food and beverage offerings to its patrons. Menus will be creative and current, using local, seasonal produce. Variety of menu and the highest quality of service will be essential to be presented with this coveted award.

*Please note if you choose this category, you cannot choose Ireland’s Casual Dining Restaurant category as judges will only dine in a property once.

This award recognises the casual dining establishments that provide notable service and quality food offerings to its patrons. The successful recipient of this award will offer a high-quality menu offering local produce and unique utilisation of seasonal menu items. The experience will be served by knowledgeable staff offering genuine hospitality.
*Please note if you choose this category, you cannot choose Ireland’s Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant category as judges will only dine in a property once.

This category celebrates restaurants and hotels that utilise a variety of local and seasonal produce all year round. The finalists have all been able to showcase all traceability in their ingredients and took pride in promoting the use of home grown produce. This categroy is open to hotels only.
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This award celebrates a front of house staff member who has gone above and beyond to provide outstanding service. The finalists are acknowledged for their constant hard work and dedication in an accommodation, catering or restaurant environment. The judge may wish to see the nominteeded team or member on the day of their visit, or request an online disucssion afterwards.
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Entrants in this category are recognised as outstanding venues providing a superior customer experience through the provision of exceptional service. The ambience of the property, the guest service standards, the quality and range of menu offerings and the overall feel of the establishment are all considered by the expert judging panel when choosing the successful finalists of this envious recognition of achievement.

Being a finalist in Ireland’s Castle & Heritage Wedding Excellence category signifies an exceptional commitment to creating unforgettable moments in breathtaking settings. Finalists showcase an unparalleled dedication to crafting bespoke experiences, seamlessly blending timeless charm with modern amenities to fulfill every couple’s dream wedding vision. From majestic castle backdrops steeped in centuries of history to meticulously preserved heritage venues exuding old-world charm, these finalists represent the epitome of grace, sophistication, and unparalleled hospitality in the realm of weddings. Judges will be seeking exceptional service, attention to detail, and a seamless blend of tradition and luxury.

This prestigious award recognises the fine dining establishments within the hotel that provide exceptional service and superior food and beverage offerings to its patrons. Menus will be creative and current, using local, seasonal produce. Variety of menu and the highest quality of service will be essential to be presented with this coveted award.
*Please note if you choose this category, you cannot choose Ireland’s Five Star Hote Casual Dining Restaurant category as judges will only dine in a property once.

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This category recognizes hotels or other event spaces that excel in providing a spacious and luxurious setting for couples with larger guest lists, typically over 100 guests.Judges may consider factors such as the venue’s size, layout, decor, facilities, and the quality of service provided to the couple and their guests. Attention to detail, personalised touches, and flexibility in accommodating the couple’s needs and preferences can also be significant factors in winning this category. The hotel should be able to demonstrate how they create an exceptional wedding experience for large.

This category recognizes hotels or other event spaces that excel in providing an intimate, romantic and memorable setting for couples looking to tie the knot with a smaller guest list of 100 people or less. One of the most important decisions a bride and groom will make is deciding upon the venue for their special day. Judges may consider factors such as the venue’s location, atmosphere, facilities, and the quality of service provided to the couple and their guests. Attention to detail, personalised touches, and flexibility in accommodating the couple’s needs and preferences can also be significant factors in winning this category.

The hotel should be able to demonstrate how they create an exceptional wedding experience, including attention to the smallest of details, personalised service, and an atmosphere of warmth and romance, that leaves the couple and their guests with unforgettable memories.

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This award acknowledges excellence in service and accommodation in a 4 Star Resort environment. Finalists will demonstrate high standards, flawless service in a comfortable, quality resort, while both meeting and exceeding guest expectations. Judges will consider the location; on-site recreational activities and amenities available; multiple dining facilities; leisure center, spa/relaxation offerings. A property may only enter one or other of 4 Star Resort OR 4 Star Hotel.

This award recognises 3 Star Hotels which operate well established, quality, functional properties. Finalists have provided quality, style and comfort to its guests. Staff at these establishments have provided personalised service to a high standard.
This category recognises four-star hotel spas in Ireland that have provided a high standard service to their guests. Finalists are being recognised for their innovation and uniqueness of treatment offerings and the knowledge and training of the spa therapists.

Children friendly hotels in Ireland are growing in number and value for money. Finalists in this category have family friendly hotels that suit the needs of both parents and kids. The judges recognised following when selecting the finalists; accessible children’s club, sufficient family rooms available, babysitting services, accommodating travel-cots and a variety of family activities.

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The finalists in this category will be recognised for their excellence in the provision of amenities and facilities which are required by modern travellers on business, who rely on the property to work on the road. Bedrooms all had excellent desks with first-rate connectivity, seating and lighting. Meeting rooms were essential; business centres or similar facilities were helpful; basic support services for the business traveller (printing, PC / laptop back-up, local information) were integral. The finalists are credited for original thinking that makes the stay more pleasant for a businessperson, including support for international, foreign-language speaking guests.

A hotel can enter the category for “Tourist Hotel of the Year” which recognises hotels that provide exceptional service and amenities to tourists. The category is open to hotels located in popular tourist destinations and judges may consider factors such as the hotel’s location, atmosphere, facilities, quality of service, attention to detail, discounts to local attractions offered, and flexibility in accommodating the needs and preferences of tourists. Other factors that may be considered include the hotel’s commitment to sustainable tourism practices, its engagement with the local community, and its contribution to the local economy.

The category aims to increase awareness of sustainable practices in the hospitality industry in Ireland. The award will recognise a hotel that has placed green issues and sustainability at the forefront of their business practices.
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The finalists in this category will be been given the highest recognition of their performance over the past twelve months. Their innovation, creativity and pursuance to excellence were all considered by our expert panel of judges. The finalists for Ireland’s Chef of the Year will demonstrate innovative use of lesser cuts of meat, and alternative cooking methods to produce an impeccable menu to please the senses. Their approach, design and execution of their dishes clearly stood out from the crowd and impressed greatly.

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The finalists in this category will be recognised for their an outstanding contribution to promoting a wine understanding and appreciation. Finalists will demonstrate superior product knowledge, provide a wine list of exemplary quality and range, and maintained the highest calibre customer service. The wine waiter or sommelier showed their ability to inspire customers to make wider and more adventurous choices in selecting wines, and a demonstration of food and wine pairing knowledge was fundamental.

This category recognises suppliers that are featuring new or advanced methods to their business strategies in order to generate added value and profits to their company. Finalists are nominated by their customers and will be rewarded for introducing creative and experimental ideas, while refining strategic sourcing decisions and improving communication with purchasing professionals.

All Finalists are entered into the Ireland’s Favourite Place to Stay category to battle it out in a public vote! Categories are broken down by province and voting will take place over a two week period. The properties that receive the most votes from each province will go head to head at the awards ceremony and the property with the most overall votes will take home the trophy of Ireland’s Favourite Place to Stay.
The Supreme Winner Award is the Irish hospitality industry’s highest accolade. The recipient of this award is chosen by the Gold Medal Awards judging panel following a review of all winning entries in the awards this year. The Supreme Winner Awards acknowledges outstanding achievements within the Irish hospitality industry. The recipient of this award is an establishment that offers first-class hospitality, superlative customer experience and stands out from the other prestigious award winners as a result of their dedication to the highest quality standard.

The finalists in this category will be been given the highest recognition of their performance over the past twelve months. Their innovation, creativity and pursuance to excellence were all considered by our expert panel of judges. The finalists for Ireland’s Five Star Chef of the Year will demonstrate innovative use of lesser cuts of meat, and alternative cooking methods to produce an impeccable menu to please the senses. Their approach, design and execution of their dishes clearly stood out from the crowd and impressed greatly.

This award recognises the casual dining establishments that provide notable service and quality food offerings to its patrons. The successful recipient of this award will offer a high-quality menu offering local produce and unique utilisation of seasonal menu items. The experience will be served by knowledgeable staff offering genuine hospitality. *Please note if you choose this category, you cannot choose Ireland’s Five Star Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant category as judges will only dine in a property once.

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