The awards follow the completion of Folio Hotels’ £2.65 million refurbishment project, including all bedrooms and public areas. Folio Hotels purchased The Maids Head in 2006. The hotel is thought to be the oldest in England and has been serving local people and visitors to the city for around 800 years.
Christine Malcolm, General Manager said: "Our team at The Maids Head has worked very hard over the last nine months, building up to this inspection. We are absolutely delighted with our new Four Star status and the restaurant’s rosette. Our aim has been to re-establish The Maids Head as the number one hotel in the city. This award is a great encouragement to everyone involved here. We are determined to continue improving the quality in all areas of the business."
Rob Carr, Head Chef said: "I have been at The Maids Head for 14 months and have completely rebuilt the kitchen brigade. We are very pleased to have received the rosette, however our ambition is to gain a second AA Rosette."
Michael Nutt, Managing Director, VisitNorwich said: "VisitNorwich warmly congratulates The Maids Head on its notable achievement of receiving a four star rating from the AA and winning a Rosette for their restaurant. We’re delighted that the city’s oldest hotel has now joined the elite club of four star hotels. It clearly reflects the huge investment made in The Maids Head in recent months and it provides a welcome new dimension to the destination’s quality offer. We are proud that we can now offer our visitors a four star experience in the city’s historic heart."
Stephen Jones, Hotel & Restaurant Inspector for AA Hotel Services said: "There has been quite a transformation at The Maids Head since I visited in August 2007, not only thanks to Folio Hotels’ substantial investment in the hotel, but also in terms of staff training and development. I could sense the change as I walked through the door. Christine Malcolm and her team are to be commended for getting the right staffing structure in place in such a short space of time."
The AA’s annual grading inspection looks at the quality of the service, bedrooms, bathrooms, food and the cleanliness of the hotel. We also look at the hospitality, public areas, external areas and the restaurant facilities.
AA Rosettes are awarded for the quality of the cooking across all dishes on all menus and meals. The Rosette only covers the food offered on the á la carte menu in the Courtyard Restaurant, it does not include lounge food, bar food or breakfast.