ONE of the region's top hotels has made an immediate impact by being named Newcomer of the Year in the 2002 Good Food Guide.
Seaham Hall Hotel, a converted former residential home, is set in expansive grounds overlooking the sea, in Seaham, County Durham.
Seaham Hall managing director Simon Rhatigan said: "I am delighted with the news that we've been recognised by these highly-respected food and travel guides.
"From the outset, we wanted Seaham Hall to be the best in the North-East and recognition such as this shows that we are certainly achieving our objectives."
Anonymous inspections of the hotel were carried out by both the AA and the Good Food Guide over the past 12 months.
The Good Food Guide has given the hall a mark of six from ten, describing it as, "a hotel and a half".
Further improvements are scheduled to make the hall even more appealing to visitors, and judges, prior to next year's round of awards.
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