The Belfray - the best in the north west

Last week Brian Loughlin and John Edgar, who begfan developing The Belfray Country Inn just three years ago, learned that they had received TripAdvisor’s highest accolade - five green circles.

The online site managers said of the Belfray: “Our travellers consistently commend your property with the highest praise, and we recognise your five rating as an exceptional achievement. Only the very best in the business are awarded a Certificate of Excellence — display yours proudly in a place where your guests can see it. TripAdvisor is proud to congratulate The Belfray Country Inn on earning the prestigious 2012 Certificate of Excellence award.”

The award follows on from two successive years of top places in the Tatler Business Awards, and the managers, John Edgar and Brian Loughlin, said they were “delighted” with the continued success of their boutique hotel and restaurant.

Having had a week to let their latest good news to sink in, Brian Loughlin, said: “Our Facebook and Twitter accounts have been so busy with everybody contacting us to congratulate us. Local people and customers have been coming inot The Belfray to congratulate us too.

“What is amazing is that we have not gone out looking for these awards, they have come to us, and that makes us so happy that people think so highly of what we do.”

“We are really happy that people love what we do and the service we offer. We really are over the moon,” he said, adding: “This award from TripAdvisor is a worldwide award and is internationally recognised as a seal of approval. In order to get this award a hotel must sit at the top of the ratings for a year, so this means The Belfray has had to be No.1 in the north west for accommodation and service for a year for TripAdvisor to issue us with their certificate of excellence.”

Speaking to The Sentinel last week, when he had just learned of The Belfray’s success, John Edgar said: “Obviously we are delighted to have been recognised in the world stage of Tripadvisor. Remember not all reviews are good reviews on this social networking site there are times, however, that no matter what we do or how fabulous we think our product is, people are just not satisfied on occasions but this runs hand in hand with running a busy business such as The Belfray and thankfully the majority are good,” said Mr Edgar.

He went on to reveal that this year John and Brian are to judge the ‘Chef of the Year’ competition for the Ulster Tatler’s ‘People of the Year’ awards 2013.

“We would like to impress upon business owners in the north west to enter if you feel your product is worthy of recognition, thus gaining publicity in the business sector for this part of Northern Ireland,” said John.

The latest success is another notch in the belt for John and Brian, who have brought the former Inn at the Cross from a 2-star bed and breakfast to what it is today - a 4-star Hotel, and have achieved that in three years. It is a massive achievement given today’s economic climate, and John and Brian are amazed by the way they have been supported by patrons and staff in achieving the awards. Among the titles the managers have received in their three short years at the helm of The Belfray, are The Ulster Tatler Hoteliers of the Year 2012, Highly Commended in the Tourist section of the UTV Awards, coming second to The Titanic Experience Belfast, and this year winning a business achievement award in The Local Woman Awards 2013.

“We are really grateful to all those who support us at The Belfray and indeed to the very friendly and competent Staff with whom nothing is achievable. They work so hard and try to give everyone that perfect ‘Belfray Experience’,” said John.

Plans are now afoot to upgrade the Hotel with 11 new Bedrooms, with the plans now ready to submit to the Planning Office.

Brian added: “Our latest success with TripAdvisor has really spurred us on and we are determined now to have our expansion plans for The Belfray passed by planners as soon as possible so that we can continue to offer our customers - both current and future - the very best in fine dining and accommodation.”