We've WON!
We’re thrilled to announce that we have won Small Hotel Group of the Year 2025/26, for the second time in a decade, at the prestigious AA Hospitality Awards.
Welcoming guests and businesses from across the country, the AA Hospitality Awards celebrate excellence across fifteen categories, showcasing the very best of British hospitality and the industry's dedication to innovation, quality, and sustainability.
The AA Small Hotel Group of the Year award recognises the very best levels of service, food and accommodation in the hospitality industry. This incredible achievement is a testament to the initiative, passion and hard work of all across The Brend Collection.
Award-Winning Hotels
After undertaking a major rebrand in 2023, which saw a fresh visual identity and clearly defined core values that reflect who and what we stand for. These core values include putting sustainability at the forefront, which saw us move away from single-use plastics in bedrooms and introduce our own in-house toiletry range.
Over the past few years, we’ve invested significantly, from a £1.5 million investment in their second Source Spa at The Victoria Hotel in Sidmouth, £2 million at The Barnstaple Hotel on a transformed function and health & leisure spaces and all hotels continue to be invested in regularly across all public areas and bedrooms. Just as importantly, we’ve invested in our people, from our own Brend Training Academy to new and improved systems and employee perk schemes.
John Brend, Chairman of The Brend Collection, said, “This award from the AA holds deep meaning for me personally and for everyone across our collection.”
“Having devoted a lifetime to this business, I take great pride in seeing our family’s values and vision recognised once again. What gives me even greater satisfaction is knowing that the next generation is carrying forward that same commitment and fulfilling their own ambitions, alongside the loyal and talented staff who have always been at the heart of our success.”
Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media said “We are delighted to recognise the Brend Collection this year. A great family run business that puts people at its heart, both guests and its team equally. They have impressed with their ongoing commitment to evolving their offering through significant investment across their hotels.”
We’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to our guests and staff, who without this award would not be possible!
