ONE OF Hampshire's best-known hotels is celebrating a welcome a double boost as the hospitality sector continues to battle the economic impact of the pandemic.

Berefords Restaurant, part of the family-owned Balmer Lawn Hotel and Spa at Brockenhurst, has again been awarded a 2AA rosette rating following a recent inspection.

The 54-room hotel, which overlooks a cricket pitch beside the A337, has also kept its four AA Silver Star status.

The AA rosette awards, presented annually since 1956, are generally regarded as being among the top accolades in the restaurant industry.

AA inspectors visit eateries across the UK and select dishes from the menu to confirm the quality of the food.

Two rosettes are awarded to "excellent restaurants that aim for and achieve higher standards and better consistency".

Michael Clitheroe, general manager at the Balmer Lawn, said: "AA Rosettes are highly coveted in the restaurant industry and are a real mark and measure of quality.

"Having already established the Beresfords as a two rosette standard restaurant, we were delighted to have that status reaffirmed.

“The team within our restaurant care passionately about delivering excellent experiences to their guests and this is testament to that – so a huge 'well done and thank you' to them for all of their efforts.”

The Balmer Lawn has also retained its four AA Silver Star status.

The accolade is awarded to "highly recommended hotels offering a superior level of quality within their star rating, high standards of hotel keeping, in particular, hospitality, service and cleanliness, and an AA Rosette award for the quality of their food".

Built as a hunting lodge in the mid-1800s, the Balmer Lawn is one of the most iconic buildings in the New Forest National Park.

It was used as an army hospital during the First World War and as an army staff college during the 1939-1945 conflict. It also served as the headquarters of the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division as they prepared for the D-Day landings in 1944.

In the 1970s a fire in the roof changed the hotel's appearance, resulting in its present look.

The business is owned by Chris and Alison Wilson, who acquired the Balmer Lawn from the Hilton hotel chain in the autumn of 1997.