The Royal Duchy Hotel on Falmouth's seafront has been issued a Silver Star Award from the AA – one of only 54 hotels in the whole of the UK to enjoy that accolade.

The award is presented to hotels that offer a superior level of quality within their star rating. To achieve it, they must demonstrate high standards of hotel keeping, in particular hospitality, service and cleanliness,- and hold an AA Rosette award for the quality of their food. The Royal Duchy already has two rosettes.

“We are absolutely delighted to have been issued a Silver Star Award by the AA,” said director Peter Brend. “It recognises our team’s hard work and commitment when it comes to providing the very best guest experience at the hotel and is very well deserved. It makes us the highest rated hotel in Falmouth and we’re now looking forward to another busy year ahead.”

In a tweet, AA Hospitality said of the inspection: “Our inspector was impressed with the high levels of genuine hospitality and service. Well-deserved Silver Stars for @BrendRoyalDuchy.”

The Royal Duchy Hotel is part of the Brend Hotels group, a family run company that has been a leader in West Country hospitality for over 50 years. The group were previously announced as the winner of Hotel Group of the Year in the AA Hospitality Awards 2015-2016.