Culloden Estate & Spa named AA Hotel of the Year for Northern Ireland 2026

By Love Belfast

September 22, 2026

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Cormac Fadden, General Manager, Culloden Estate & Spa

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Holywood’s Culloden Estate & Spa — one of Hastings Hotels’ five-star properties — has been named AA Hotel of the Year for Northern Ireland at the AA Hospitality Awards 2026, held last night at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London.

Cormac Fadden (third from left), General Manager of Culloden Estate & Spa and Andre Joubert (second right), Deputy General Manager, are pictured accepting the AA Hotel of the Year for Northern Ireland award at the prestigious AA Hospitality Awards 2026, held at JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London last night.

More than 1,000 industry professionals gathered for the annual ceremony, which recognises outstanding guest experience, service and craft across UK hospitality.

The win lands in the Culloden’s 150th anniversary year, after the estate completed a £620,000 investment aimed at lifting the luxury guest experience still further. It also follows a strong year for dining on site: Vespers, the hotel’s flagship restaurant, collected two AA Rosettes a year ago for its mix of classic and contemporary cooking and service.

General Manager Cormac Fadden said the team were incredibly proud to take the title in the hotel’s milestone year, and proud of the role the Culloden plays in showcasing Northern Ireland’s tourism quality. He said the accolade reflected the passion and dedication of the whole staff, who work to create memorable stays while upholding the service standards the estate is known for — and that it was an honour to see that care recognised at an event celebrating the best of hospitality.

Simon Numphud, Managing Director of AA Hotel & Hospitality Services, congratulated Culloden Estate & Spa on the Northern Ireland award, describing the hotel as a strong example of a team delivering true hospitality. He said the AA Awards celebrate the businesses and people who set the standard across the UK, and that Culloden’s commitment to exceptional experiences was exactly what the awards were designed to recognise.

For travellers planning a Belfast stay, the Culloden remains a Holywood landmark on many where to stay in Belfast shortlists — and has long been part of the city’s hospitality calendar, from awards nights to seasonal occasions such as the Bollinger Garden summers on the estate.

More details: cullodenestateandspa.com.