Recent News and Events

Fantastic news:

It was announced in November 2009, that Wharton Lock Apartment has, for the SECOND time, been presented with the prestigious Enjoy England annual GOLD award.

We are very pleased to receive this 4 Star Gold award which followed the assessment carried out by Quality in Tourism on behalf of Enjoy England.

4 Star Gold Wharton Lock Apartment gained grade 5 in 4 of 5 sections of the report and we would like to thank Amy, Simon, Keith and also our cleaning company Poppies for all their help and support which has resulted in this GOLD AWARD.

Visit Chester and Cheshire have sent out a press release announcing the new English Tourist Board Gold Award for our 4 star gold Wharton Lock Apartment.

Visit Chester & Cheshire Head of Marketing, Nicola Said, added: 'To receive Gold rating requires tremendous commitment. Sandra and her team should be proud of what they’ve achieved. It’s another feather in Chester’s visitor economy cap.'

Look at My Hospitality and Chester First to see the full article.

We were pleased to be awarded the Gold Award certificate for Wharton Lock Apartment at the recent Visit Chester and Cheshire Awards Dinner held at the Roodee Race Course in Chester.

The winner of the Self Catering Award for 2009 was also announced at this dinner. Although we were not chosen, from the 4 short listed properties, to win this award we were very pleased with the following comments from the judges:-

'......................very impressed by the feedback from guests who reveal they find it hard to fault this property. Its superb location offers immediate access to the city yet gives a taste of the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside. The concept of offering a serviced alternative to a hotel has proved to be a pioneering idea in Chester that has encouraged other local business to grow. The owners have made laudable efforts to bring the outside into the apartment by enhancing the balcony, even making it suitable for families who might usually prefer garden access. The high standard of the furnishings and fittings reveal the careful attention the owners have paid to the market they are seeking to serve and their flexibility is confirmed by their swift response to enact ideas or corrections highlighted in comments from guests. Their marketing strategy is one that should be copied by every accommodation provider in the county, with innovative ideas such as marketing through Twitter. It would be disingenuous to search out negative points, this is a slick operation; the apartment was a very strong contender for the award, but was just pipped at the post.'

Announced in April 2009, Wharton Lock Apartment has been presented with the prestigious Enjoy England annual GOLD award.

This was announced by Visit England with the following statements:-

'Wharton Lock Apartment has achieved a 2009/10 Gold Award for exceptional quality of accommodation and customer service.'

'Everyone at VisitEngland and Quality in Tourism congratulates you on achieving the Gold award. We all know how much hard work goes into delivering consistently high standards. We hope that you will display your certificate with pride and that potential visitors will seek out these special places where the owners have gone the extra mile to ensure they exceed their guests expectations.'

April 2009: There are a total of:- 

1,500 Gold awards in the whole of England

2 Gold awards in the county of Cheshire

and only 1 Gold award in The City of Chester ...............  '4* Gold Wharton Lock Apartment' 

We are pleased to announce that we are one of the four properties that have been short listed for the Chester and Cheshire Self Catering Tourism Award 2009. This is the second year running that we have been selected as a finalist for this award.

Thank you to all the guests who wrote complimentary comments in the guest book, as this was used as supporting evidence in our nomination, and also to everyone else that supports us with the upkeep and maintenance of the apartment.

Particular thanks to Simon Tiplady for his hard work in providing us with our wonderful 'Chester Canalside Holidays' website and also to Sue and her team at Poppies who keep the apartment so beautifully clean.