09/06/2026
Today, The Old Pheasant was recognised as a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Winner 2026, placing us in the top 10% of hospitality businesses worldwide.
Naturally, I am delighted.
But the award also made me reflect.
Over the last two years, I have spent countless hours worrying about costs, staffing, maintenance issues, pricing, occupancy and everything else that comes with running an independent hospitality business.
Yet guests don’t review any of those things.
They review how they felt.
This award is not a proof that we’re perfect.
Far from it.
It is a proof that hospitality is still a human business.
People remember warmth.
People remember kindness.
People remember being looked after.
People always give us a chance to be better because we will never get it 100% right for everyone, but we stay committed to make it as genuine as possible.
And that is something worth remembering in an industry that sometimes becomes obsessed with systems and processes.
A sincere thank you first of all to everyone in The Old Pheasant team, past and present who have contributed and continue to contribute to our journey and also to every guest who has supported us and taken the time to share their experience and those who gave us a chance to be better at what we do.
The work continues, thank you.
