Southampton Harbour Hotel and Spa in Visit England awards final

Southampton Harbour Hotel and Spa, at the forefront of Ocean Village, has sailed to the finals of VisitEngland’s Awards for Excellence.

• A new 18 storey hotel with 283 rooms could be built in the heart of Southampton

This is despite having been forced to close during the coronavirus pandemic - but it reopened to its customers on July 4.

The news comes just three years after the £25m development first opened its doors, welcoming to the marina a new concept five-star luxury.

Shortlisted for the country’s top large hotel of the year, it is up against Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa in Wiltshire and The Ned, Greater London.

VisitEngland Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said: “These awards celebrate businesses and individuals in tourism across England who have exceeded expectations and delivered excellence during the last 18 months and it is fantastic to see such an outstanding list of finalists.

“I congratulate all the finalists and wish them the very best of luck."

Applications were put forward for national judging from businesses across England including hotels, self-catering accommodation providers, B&Bs, glamping operators, attractions, restaurants, pubs, museums, and conference centres.

On the hotel’s first floor, a space for weddings, functions, and events is on offer featuring glass walls to see the marina views.

• PHOTOS: Get the first look inside Southampton's new £25million hotel

The top floor has a new luxury rooftop bar, kitchen, and club called HarBar on 6th with a weekly calendar of live music and DJs.

The hotel also boasts luxury facilities including an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, hydrotherapy pool and relaxation areas.

Winners will be announced at an online virtual event on Monday August 17 at visitengland.org, from 7pm to 9pm.