Blue Badge Access Awards

‘Celebrating exceptional venues, organisations & people that welcome everyone’

Nominations for 2023/24 Are now closed. However, entries to the Design Competition are open until spring 2024.

The Winners Announced for 2023/24

The Blue Badge Access Awards 2023/24 Winners

The winners of the prestigious BLUE BADGE ACCESS AWARDS 2023 were announced at an exciting ceremony at London’s Great Scotland Yard Hotel. The Blue Badge Access Awards raised the profile of accessibility in hospitality and beyond and recognised those venues that are getting it right.

The eleven Awards from loos, to hotels, spa’s and bars were presented to venues and individuals that have truly excelled in providing exceptional accessibility, style, and design …and also to those who haven’t! The winners and highly commended can be seen on this link and in summary they were,

Above & Beyond Award (sponsored by The Institute of Hospitality)

Won By: Charles & Jo van Berckel, Ablestay

Best Accessible Bathroom/Toilet (sponsored by Bespoke Hotels)

Won By: AbleStay

Best Luxury Hotel Award (sponsored by Hewi)

Won By: The Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel, London WC1

Best Boutique Hotel (sponsored by BluKite)

Won By: Wraxall Yard

Best Venue in an Historic Building Award (sponsored by Historic England)

Won By: Blenheim Palace

The Blue Badge Style Access Champion

Won By: Anna Neary at Legoland

New! Best Spa Award (sponsored by Guarantee Laundries)

Won By: Chewton Glen

Best Restaurant Award (sponsored by Conran & Partners)

Won By: Gaucho – Cardiff.

Best International Venue (sponsored by Ahead Awards)

Won By: Amilla Resort Maldives 

This is Narelle’s Acceptance Speech, General Manager at Amilla Resort

Best Bar (sponsored by ANON Drinks)

Won By: The Audley Public House

Special Award for Outstanding Achievement in Accessibility

Won By: Charlie Lyons, Sesame Access Systems

To finish the evening we had this from Ch4’s Sophie Morgan

Find out why each entry won their award on this link.

  Robin Sheppard, Co-founder of the BBAA Awards, and President of Bespoke Hotels said: “We’re thrilled with the response to our 2023 Awards. After eight years of trying to persuade the hospitality industry to put “access” higher up their collective agenda I am delighted to say that tonight’s award ceremony is testament to the progress that has been made. We have witnessed a much wider acceptance of the need to do better. We had an embarrassment of riches in terms of nominations and some very worthy entries. Congratulations to all our winners and runners up this evening.” Fiona Jarvis, Co-Founder of the BBAA awards and Chief Judge said: “This was a very emotional and positive evening as all the nominees and winners were there with the common goal of making places hospitable for all. None were complacent and all wanted to know how they could do better. BUT…. The list to choose from for our Ludicrous Loo & Ridiculous Ramp awards was unbelievable and show that there is more to be done. It’s hard to remain positive when you hear of such disregard for 19% of the population. Bad access and practices at venues must be called to account and we name the following………read more on this link.   The Blue Badge Access Awards 2023/24, set the Gold Standard for Access in the wider hospitality sector, is on the hunt for the very best in accessibility for the disabled guest, and aims to reward hotels, restaurants, leisure and tourism venues and people that are getting ‘accessibility with style’ right.