Dooley’s Hotel was among the big winners at the 31st CIE Tours annual Awards of Excellence.
The best holiday destinations and experiences in Ireland were recognized based on feedback from nearly 20,000 visitors.
Dooley's won the Gold Award for Best 3-Star Hotel in Ireland. Meanwhile, The Marine Bar near Dungarvan received a Gold Award for Best Tour Feature, while The Granville Hotel was recognized with a Merit Award in the Hotel Category.
Tina Darrer of Dooley's Hotel says their location is an ideal base for exploring Waterford's offerings.
"We are very lucky that Dooleys is located in the city centre of Ireland's oldest city, we have the greenway on our doorstep.
"With fabulous award-winning museums from the treasures to the museum of time the theatre royale and the house of Waterford Crystal.
"So we are very blessed, and if you want to travel out to the county, we have Dunmore east and Tramore in 15 minutes.
"We are blessed in terms of our location and what we can offer both to international and domestic tourists"
Launched in 1990, the Awards recognize Ireland’s hospitality ambassadors – the people and businesses throughout the country who put Irish tourism on the global stage through the warmth of welcome and quality of service provided to our international visitors. CIE Tours, which celebrates 91 years in business is the largest operator of guided tours to Ireland in the North American market, bringing over 25,000 visitors here last year.
Tina continues to say that the awards recognize excellence in the hospitality industry.
"CIE has this award ceremony every year and it recognizes people that provide excellent service and experience to visitors to Ireland in Waterford.
"We were delighted to win the award for the best three-star hotel in Ireland, it reflects the commitment and passion that our team has for the guest experience in Dooleys and we were really proud to receive it on behalf of them".
Main photo: Stephen Cotter (COO CIE Tours), Tina Darrer & Margaret Darrer of Dooleys Hotel, Elizabeth Crabhill, CEO, CIE tours.
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