Industry award nomination for Dales hotel

Staff at a family–run Dales hotel are celebrating after its guests have named it one of the best wedding venues in the region.
East Lodge Hotel and Restaurant, Rowsley.East Lodge Hotel and Restaurant, Rowsley.
East Lodge Hotel and Restaurant, Rowsley.

East Lodge Hotel, in Rowsley, has been short listed for the East Midlands finals of The Wedding Industry Awards in the ‘Countryside Wedding Venue of the Year’ category.

Iain Hardman, deputy managing director of Elyzian Hospitality Limited, which owns East Lodge, said: “The great thing is you’re nominated by the bridal couples.

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“Brides and grooms that have got married at the hotel in the last year have gone onto The Wedding Industry Awards website and put there feedback.”

It was based on this that the hotel, along with its sister hotel Callow Hall, in Ashbourne, were short listed for the award.

Iain continued: “It’s almost like a people’s choice award.”

Iain’s parents, David and Joan Hardman, bought East Lodge Hotel in 1998, and built it up as a business. Two years ago they bought Callow Hall and have transformed the property.

“It’s always nice to get a pat on the back from brides and grooms saying we think you’re the best,” Iain added.

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He explained that weddings were the core business for East Lodge and put its popularity as a wedding venue down to the experience of its staff.

“The big thing that stands us apart is experience, we have been doing weddings for 16 years,” he added.

“It’s a family business – there’s always a member of the family somewhere nearby and the staff have been with us for a long time.

“Our moto is ‘always under promise and over deliver.”

The hotels will find out if they have won the award in a ceremony next week.

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In the mean time they have also been nominated for the award of ‘Hotel Restaurant of the Year’ in the England and Wales Food Awards.

The hotel was nominated in the same category in last year’s The Wedding Industry Awards regional final, however this is the first time its sister hotel Callow Hall has been nominated as well.

For further information on East Lodge, visit the website www.eastlodge.com or call 01629 734474. To comment on this story, visit www.matlockmercury.co.uk

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