HOLIDAY homeowners near Chester are celebrating after picking up an award for their property.
Husband-and-wife team, Angela and Nigel Dutton from Farndon, scooped silver in the Best for Families category for their detached cottage, Manor Wood, located in the hamlet of Coddington between Chester and Wrexham.
The national travel awards programme by staycation specialist Sykes Holiday Cottages saw thousands of entries from across the UK and Ireland – with Manor Wood beating off tough competition to take home the award.
Surrounded by rolling countryside hills, Manor Wood offers impressive views of the nearby lake and boasts several onsite amenities for families to enjoy, including an outdoor pool, tennis court and games room.
The property was originally Angela and Nigel’s family home and is based in the grounds of their caravan park. After moving out of the home, they made the decision to offer the property out to holiday makers.
Since Manor Wood first became available to holidaymakers back in 2016, the pair have reaped the rewards of a surge in staycations to Cheshire, and say the property is nearly fully booked throughout the whole of 2023.
The Sykes Gems Awards first launched in 2017 and aim to celebrate the best people and properties in the UK’s holiday let sector - judged by a panel of industry experts including Sykes’ CEO Graham Donoghue and COO Bev Dumbleton, as well as The Sun’s Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski.
Properties were judged using owner entries and guest feedback, alongside details like photos, occupancy figures and property amenities.
The judging panel were impressed by the style and facilities on offer at Manor Wood along with guest feedback on cleanliness, comfort, and value for money.
Manor Wood owner Angela Dutton, said: “We’ve put so much into making Manor Wood a success, and constantly get great feedback from our visitors, but an award like this really does mean a lot.
“When we have guests stay with us, our ultimate goal is to keep our property in pristine condition, so it feels like a home away from home for them. We have lots of visitors staying at Manor Wood for the remainder of the year and we can’t wait to welcome them all.”
Graham Donoghue, CEO of Sykes Holiday Cottages, added: “We’re excited to have relaunched the Sykes Gems to recognise and reward some of the best holiday lets across the country.
“A lot of work goes into running a successful holiday let so it was a difficult decision amongst so many wonderful properties, but our final winners are those consistently going above and beyond to deliver unforgettable breaks for their guests.
“Staycations are as popular as ever in 2023, with many Brits having rediscovered their love of a holiday at home during the pandemic. Because of this, those with a second home in Cheshire might be tempted to turn it into a holiday let – with our Gem Award winners offering plenty of inspiration for those who need it.”
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