GO BELOW Underground Adventures in Eryri were among the big winners at the Go North Wales Tourism Awards last night (November 23).

This event, organised by North Wales Tourism celebrates the dedication, skill and achievements of the region’s tourism and hospitality industry.

This year, the ceremony at Venue Cymru in Llandudno was hosted by ITV Wales journalist Carole Green.

The headline sponsor was again Harlech Foodservice, which supplies many of the region’s hotels, guest houses and restaurants.

The deepest hotel in the world, 1,375ft below the mountains of Eryri, was a double winner on the night, scooping the gongs for the Go North Wales Experience of the Year and Go Resilience and Innovation Award.

The subterranean bolthole is set deep within a chamber of the abandoned Cwmorthin slate mine, near Blaenau Ffestiniog, and can only be accessed via a steep and challenging route through the old workings.

Called Deep Sleep, it comprises four private twin-bed cabins and a ‘romantic’ grotto room with a double bed, a dining area and loo facilities with simple toilets and sinks.

The hotel, which describes itself as a ‘remote-camp adventure experience’ and is run by the outdoor activity company Go Below Underground Adventures based near Betws y Coed.

The off-grid adventure is the latest creation of Go Below’s founder, Miles Moulding, whose underground adventure company already runs tours including zip lining, crossing a waterfall or boating on a lake, all deep below ground.

He said: “It’s great to win this award. We have excellent and friendly staff and they are the people that really make the difference.

“Our visitors come away talking about how good the experience is and how well looked after they have been and that’s the big thing for any company because they are the interface with the customers.”

Anglesey-based Always Aim High, from Llangefni, won the  Go Best Event of the Year after successfully reviving the Llandudno Triathlon following an absence of five years.

Around 500 athletes took part and the vent was selected by Welsh Triathlon as the finale of the Welsh Triathlon Super Series - a collaboration of six televised triathlon events.

Organisers say it generated a £300,000 boost for the local economy and supported six jobs.

Emma McIntyre said: “It’s down to having a great working team and lots of support from the local community.

“It was our second year at Llandudno for the Triathlon and it’s just such a great setting for the cycling, running and swimming – it’s the perfect location and a great atmosphere.”

Jim Jones, chief executive of North Wales Tourism, said: “We are grateful to Harlech Foodservice and all our other sponsors for stepping up to the plate to support the Go North Wales Tourism Awards.

“Tonight is an opportunity to celebrate the best of best in the tourism and hospitality sector.

“The sheer volume and quality of entries this year has underlined why North Wales is a truly world class destination.

“I would like to congratulate all the winners but I would also like to stress that all the nominees are playing a vital role in championing what we have to offer visitors from home and abroad. They do an exceptional job in putting North Wales on the map.

“The priority now is to try to get back up to where we were in 2019 and to increase the spend of the visitors who come here by raising the quality of what we are doing.”

David Cattrall, managing director of Harlech Foodservice, said: “We are delighted to once again be the headline sponsor of this wonderful awards ceremony and it’s very much a vote of confidence in the tourism and hospitality sector which has endured such a difficult time in recent years.

“This is our opportunity to give something back and celebrate the achievements of our core customers.

“The fundamental reasons why North Wales is such an attractive place to visit are still there and will continue to be in demand in future.

“We have amazing scenery and world class facilities, so I am sure the sector will go from strength to strength.

“That means that the tourism and hospitality sector can play a big role in leading the economic recovery in North Wales.”

Winners at the Go North Wales Tourism Awards

  • Go Large Hotel of the Year 2023 - Rossett Hall Hotel, Wrexham
  • Go Small Hotel of the Year 2023 - Plas Dinas Country House Hotel, Bontnewydd
  • Go B&B / Inn and Guest House of the Year 2023 - Riversdale House, Llangollen
  • Go Self Catering of the Year 2023 - The Rocks at Plas Curig, Capel Curig, Betws y Coed
  • Go Glamping, Camping, Caravanning and Holiday Park of the Year - Tan y Bryn Glamping & Touring, Llandudno Junction
  • Go Attraction of the Year 2023 - Llangollen Railway
  • Go Experience of the Year 2023 - Go Below Underground Adventures
  • Go Best Event of the Year 2023 - Always Aim High Events, Llangefni
  • Go Eating Out Experience of the Year 2023 - The Lemon Tree, Wrexham
  • Go Tourism Supplier of the Year 2023 - Parisella’s Ice Cream, Conwy
  • Go Young Person in Tourism & Hospitality Award 2023 - Megan Harris, Abergele Golf Club
  • Go Skills Enhancement in Tourism & Hospitality Award 2023 - Rhian Jones, Conwy Tour Guide
  • Go New Tourism Business of the Year 2023 - Tree Tops and Train Tracks, Mold
  • Go Cruise North Wales sponsored by Cruise Wales - Wales Best Guides
  • Go Pet Friendly Award 2023 - Rivercatcher, Corwen
  • Go Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Award 2023 - Llandudno Bay Hotel
  • Go Resilience and Innovation Award 2023 - Go Below Underground Adventures
  • Go Marketing and Media Recognition Award 2023 - Bearded Men Adventures, Llangollen
  • Go North Wales Service to Tourism Award 2023 - Welsh Mountain Zoo, Colwyn Bay