by business editor Trevor Sturgess

A Kent-based country house hotel group has defied the recession to scoop a top national award for the second time.

Hand Picked Hotels, which runs Chilston Park and Brandshatch Place, has been named AA Large Hotel Group of the Year.

The collection of 17 hotels, operated from a head office in Sevenoaks, won the coveted category in the AA Hospitality Awards. The company employs around 1,000 staff, including more than 100 at the two Kent hotels.

Judges said Hand Picked Hotels put genuine guest service and hospitality at the forefront.

“Just under half the collection hold prestigious AA Red Stars. Food is a key part of the Hand Picked experience, with every hotel holding a minimum of two coveted AA Rosettes for culinary excellence.”

It has invested £100m in its hotels, including improvements to the health club, spa and dining area at Brandshatch Place.

Julia Hands, the former City lawyer who created the business in 2001 from a group of hotels purchased with her husband, financier Guy Hands, said she was thrilled with the award.

She told KentOnline that “consistency of high standards across the board” had contributed to the accolade.

She admitted that the economic downturn had proved a challenge.

“It’s not so much the occupancy levels that have suffered, it is the rates people are prepared to pay because competition for business is so strong.

"Yes, we have felt the pinch, but all we can do to differentiate ourselves is by offering a different product.”

The prices people are able to pay were significantly lower than in 2007, and the group faced rising costs for business rates, carbon tax and other items.

Budget hotels had done well but many people still looked for something different.

“We present historic country houses as hotels. It’s a very different experience, environment and product and we like to think that the quality of service we give matches it as well. All you can do is find your niche in the market and do it as well as you can.“

Mrs Hands added: “Every one of our hotels is highly individual yet they all offer the Hand Picked experience. Our guests are at the heart of all we do and we have built up a hugely loyal and ever-expanding following.”