Tim Burnham

A HOTEL set in countryside between Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon has beaten off local competition to become the top destination on a travel website.

The Old Manor Hotel, in Trowle Common, is number one out of 10 hotels in Bradford on Avon on the internet site, TripAdvisor.

Owned and run by former advertising man Tim Burnham, the Old Manor Hotel comes ahead of other tourist destinations in the area like Woolley Grange, The Swan Hotel and Widbook Grange.

TripAdvisor has 15 million users who plan holidays around the world using the site.

Travellers who use the site have rated the hotel using a star system for value, rooms, location, cleanliness, front desk, service and business service, as well as written comments.

The Old Manor Hotel has an average of four stars.

Mr Burnham, 59, who has run the hotel for six years, is very pleased to reach the top spot.

He said: "Given that it is guests who post their opinions on this site it is very exciting to find yourself at the top of the pile.

"The good opinions of guests are notoriously difficult to win. If a gust arrives with a headache or having just had an argument with their spouse then there is not a lot you can do to change their mood.

"However, most people who visit have given us top marks and we are now the number one destination in the area."

On the site, there is a mixed bag of comments from former guests including this from Francesca Woolridge of East Sussex: "My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed a weekend break at this hotel.

"We wouldn't hesitate to recommend this hotel to anybody looking to take a break. We really look forward to going back."

One guest from Devon was not so complimentary, saying: "I stay in hotels every week of the year and this is one of the dirtiest, amateurish and over-priced that I have stayed at."

Mr Burnham said: "I do take note of the guest's complaints and try to be sympathetic to them. I sacked my chef once because one guest complained there was not a wide choice of food.

"I am very proud to be top because there are some fantastic hotels in the area like Woolley Grange and The Swan Hotel, which are fantastic places. I'm in exalted company."

2:54pm Saturday 17th May 2008

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