Industry News

Seaham Hall, the five-star luxury hotel and spa based in County Durham, has been awarded a coveted MICHELIN Key by the MICHELIN guide, in recognition of its outstanding hospitality and commitment to exceptional guest experiences.

The MICHELIN Key is a highly selective accolade and is the hotel equivalent of the MICHELIN Star, celebrating hotels that demonstrate excellence across design, service, character, value and sense of place.

Awarded following rigorous, anonymous inspections, the Key recognises hotels that deliver an exceptional overall stay and showcase distinctive character, high-quality service and a strong connection to their surroundings.

Seaham Hall, which this year celebrates its 25^th anniversary, is the only hotel in County Durham to be awarded with the prestigious award and is now one of two MICHELIN Key hotels in the North East region. The hotel joins the highly exclusive list of 18 new Key hotels added across the UK and Ireland, with now only 150 hotels holding the title across England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

Seaham Hall is highly decorated, with a recent recognition in the prestigious La Liste, where it claimed the top spot in the North East and placed number 51 in the UK. The hotel has also recently been shortlisted in the AA Spa and Hospitality Awards for its commitment to delivering exceptional wellness experiences, outstanding facilities and exemplary service.

The hotel holds a reputation as one of the North East’s leading coastal hotels, spa and wellness destinations and has undertaken a number of significant refurbishments over the past year in its commitment to offering exceptional guest experiences. In April the hotel re-opened its Zen Garden within its world-renowned Serenity Spa following a major £1 million investment. Alongside this, Seaham Hall has also launched two refined hospitality offerings including Japanese-inspired spa restaurant, Geko, and Harvey’s Bar, a modern speakeasy inspired by the hotel’s remarkable history. 

Ross Grieve, Managing Director of Seaham Hall said: “Receiving a MICHELIN Key is a fantastic achievement for our entire team at Seaham Hall and something we are incredibly proud of. To be recognised among just two hotels in the North East is a real honour and reflects the care and attention that goes into every aspect of the guest experience, from our outstanding levels of hospitality to our approach to food and our connection to the region. It is incredible to see that commitment recognised by the MICHELIN Guide, and we look forward to continuing to build on this achievement.”