At a glance

Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa in the Lake District has been shortlisted for the 'Best Bar' category at the 2027 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence. This nomination highlights the hotel's dedication to creating exceptional drinking and dining experiences in its historic setting. Winners will be announced in November 2026, and voting is open until October 19, 2026.

Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa, the historic country house hotel nestled on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake in the Lake District, has been shortlisted for ‘Best Bar’ at the prestigious 2027 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence. Recognising some of the world’s finest luxury hotels, spas and travel experiences, the annual awards celebrate properties that demonstrate exceptional standards, distinctive character and outstanding guest experiences. Armathwaite Hall’s nomination for Best Bar recognises the hotel’s approach to creating memorable drinking and dining experiences within its historic setting, combining the character of the country house with the natural beauty of the surrounding Lake District. Voting is now open and will close on Monday 19th October 2026. Guests and visitors can vote for their favourite shortlisted properties via the Condé Nast Johansens website. The winners will be announced at the Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner on Monday 2nd November 2026, with the full list of winners across the UK, Europe & The Mediterranean, The Americas, Africa, Asia and the Middle East announced online on Tuesday 3rd November 2026.

Simon Steele, General Manager at Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa, said:

“We are incredibly proud to be shortlisted for Best Bar at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence. It is a wonderful recognition of the team’s passion for creating memorable experiences for our guests and showcasing the best of Lake District hospitality. We are delighted to have our bar experience recognised alongside some of the finest properties in the industry.” 

The Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence are an established benchmark for luxury travel, recognising hotels, resorts, spas and other properties that demonstrate excellence across service, facilities and the overall guest experience. The awards draw on guest feedback, online reviews and assessments from the Condé Nast Johansens team of experts.

Set within 400 acres overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake and Skiddaw, Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa combines historic country house charm with contemporary hospitality. The hotel’s two-storey spa, extensive grounds and range of dining and drinking experiences provide guests with a peaceful base from which to explore the Lake District.

Editorial insight

Recognition from a global luxury travel awards programme places Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa among a select group of hospitality venues acknowledged for their guest experience. For properties in the Lake District, shortlisting by Condé Nast Johansens can help raise international visibility and underline the region’s appeal to premium leisure travellers.

While the impact of such awards is often most keenly felt in marketing and guest perception, a nomination in the ‘Best Bar’ category also reflects ongoing investment in the guest offer at historic country house hotels. For local tourism, accolades like this can reinforce the Lake District’s reputation as a destination for high-quality hospitality, supporting wider efforts to attract visitors seeking distinctive experiences.

Story ideas and journalist angles

Industry trend

The Role of Awards in Shaping Hospitality Standards

Investigate the influence of awards like the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence on hospitality standards, focusing on how such nominations drive service improvements and competitive differentiation.

Target audience business-finance, trade-industry Story potential 6/10 Local/community

Impact of Armathwaite Hall’s Nomination on Local Tourism

Examine how Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa's nomination for the prestigious award could influence local tourism, potentially attracting more visitors to the Lake District and boosting the local economy.

Target audience regional publications, tourism-focused outlets Story potential 7/10