Big Night Ahead For Irish Hotel Industry. Gold Medals Will Be Presented At January Ceremony

Big Night Ahead For Irish Hotels 

Gold Medals Will Be Presented At January Ceremony

A wine tasting in progress in the Hayfield Manor garden last Spring

January 27, 2026, is going to be a big night for the Irish hotel industry. That evening, at The Galmont Hotel & Spa in Galway, the Gold Medal winners for 2025 will be announced. The Awards Ceremony, now in its 36th year, will feature nominees across 32 categories with the victor of the winner of the Supreme Court Award category will be announced on the night!

Ashville Media Group have announced the finalists and there are quite a few Cork hotels in the mix. The Hayfield Manor have at least two chances having been nominated in the Best Hotel Group Award and also in the Best City Hotel category. The Metropole, The Address, The Dean Cork, and the Kingsley are also in the Best City Hotel running.

Garryvoe Hotel's famous Prawn Cocktail

Hotel chefs will also come under the spotlight with Satish Jothi (Fota Island Resort) and Mark Staples (Hayfield Manor) among the Five Star Chef finalists. Cork are also well represented in the Ireland Chef of the Year award by Alex Petit (Cork International), Hugh Bailey (Vienna Woods) and Jimmy Bermingham (Kinsale Hotel and Spa) in the shortlist.

The Hayfield Manor reigned supreme in 2024. Picture supplied.

The Best Hotel Breakfast is aways well contested and the cork hopefuls are Celtic Ross, Cork International, and Old Bank Townhouse Kinsale. Celtic Ross also have an interest in the Wine Experience while neighbours Fernhill House are on the shortlist in the Sustainability/Green category.

Celtic Ross

Elsewhere, there are no less than five Cork contenders in the running for the Afternoon Tea Award. When it comes to the Grand Wedding Venue award, Vienna Woods, Fernhill House and Garryvoe Hotel are in the mix while the Bayview will have their sights in the Small Wedding Hotel.

The Gold Medal Hotel Awards are recognised as the leading independent awards programme for Irish hospitality and you may see the full list of the finalists here. 

'We  are absolutely thrilled to be announcing the finalists for the 2025 Gold Medal Hotel Awards — the Oscars of the hospitality industry. These incredible nominees represent the very best in excellence, innovation, and unforgettable guest experiences.” Jill Thornton, head of events, Gold Medal Hotel Awards.

Vienna Woods