Cottons Hotel & Spa - Knutsford - Cheshire

Gold ECOsmart Certificate

Gold across the board: Thwaites achieve top sustainability award for hotels.

Nine of Thwaites’ hotels and spas have achieved a Gold ECOSmart certification. The award recognises venues and businesses - particularly in hospitality - for exceptional sustainability. It verifies environmentally responsible practices across areas like energy, waste, carbon, and social responsibility through an extensive auditing process across all departments of a business. The accreditation is awarded by Greengage, an industry leading organisation which helps businesses maintain and improve sustainability effort. Rick Bailey, CEO of Thwaites said: “As a business, we pride ourselves on quality, and being awarded this gold accreditation reflects years of commitment to responsible hospitality. “Through initiatives like our large solar projects at Aztec Hotel & Spa and Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa, introducing EV chargers at all sites, reducing single use plastic in hotels, and actively monitoring and reducing food waste, we’re able to continuously work towards a greener, more sustainable future.”

Winning hotels include:

·        Aztec Hotel & Spa and The Lodge at Bristol in Bristol

·        Solent Hotel & Spa and the Lodge at Solent in Fareham

·        Cottons Hotel & Spa in Knutsford

·        Kettering Park Hotel & Spa

·        Middletons Hotel in York

·        North Lakes Hotel & Spa in Penrith

·        Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa in Leeds

Rick added: “Each year we are continuing to improve. We started entering the awards in 2023 and previously held silver standard at all hotels. Our scores increased to gold standard this year, and we’re now aiming for platinum – a goal which we believe is in near reach.”

THWAITES TRIUMPHS AS AA GROUP OF THE YEAR

Lancashire-based family-run hospitality group, Thwaites – which operates a collection of 23 hotels and inns across England - clinched the coveted AA Group of the Year title at the AA Hospitality Awards 2025.Recognised for delivering exceptional hospitality at one-of-a-kind properties in outstanding locations across the country, Thwaites’ modern spa hotels and coaching inns lie in some of England’s most celebrated landscapes – such as the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Cotswolds.Hosted at JW Marriott Grosvenor House and presented by TV presenter and broadcaster Vernon Kay, the event highlighted the very best in British hospitality, honouring the most outstanding hotels, spas, restaurants, inns and B&Bs, along with the people who drive them forward.Richard Bailey, Executive Chairman at Thwaites, said: “We’re beyond thrilled to have been named Group of the Year by The AA. This fantastic award is incredibly special and true testament to the passion, dedication and hard work of every single person across the business who made this happen.“It’s a proud moment and a wonderful endorsement of the unforgettable experiences the Thwaites team creates for our guests every single day.”Euan Davidson, Senior Hotel & Restaurant Inspector at The AA, added: “Thwaites stands out as a diverse operator where quality shines and the authentic hospitality culture it’s known for runs through all of its operations.“Non-stop investment over the past few years showcases Thwaites’ dedication to guest experience and creating properties its proud of - including the jewel in the crown that isLangdale Chase – a five-star luxury boutique hotel on the shores of Windermere which has reopened following a multi-million-pound restoration.”Founded in 1807, Thwaites has grown from a family-run brewery into a celebrated collection of spa hotels, inns, and pubs across England. Recognised for its warm hospitality, craftsmanship, and character-rich properties, Thwaites continues to blend heritage with modern luxury - offering guests unforgettable experiences in stunning locations from the Lake District to the South Coast.