A LUXURY HUT owner has been praised for her customer service skills in a prestigious awards ceremony.
The owner of The Hiddle Hut, Catherine Cape, has been recognised for her commitment to her business and customers at the North East Tourism Awards last month in the ‘New Tourism Business’ category.
Catherine, a former a Primary school teacher, designed the a luxury stargazing cabin after having to retire early from teaching in 2020 because of immune deficiency diseases.
The Hiddle Hut in Bardon Mill, opened in August 2022 and is named after an old Northumbrian word meaning: a place of safety and sanctuary.
Cathrine chose the perfect site as it is situated in its own small landscaped field. The two-storey rustic cabin is also built with reclaimed materials and filled with preloved and antique finds that Catherine and her husband James have collected over many years.
The near site near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland was a hit with the judges, as they said on the form, 'the winners in this category set themselves apart with exceptional service, going above and beyond to create a memorable experience.'
Catherine said:“I always dreamed that one day I would return to the hospitality industry in some capacity but I hadn’t envisioned having to retire from teaching quite this soon.
"My Mum and sister both died unexpectedly during 2020 and so when I realised shortly afterwards that returning to my job was no longer feasible, I decided to design and build something extraordinary, in part as a tribute to them both.
"A place where couples could stay, stargaze, enjoy the stunning views across the Tyne Valley and switch off from their everyday lives.”
“We provide a bespoke personalised luxury experience for our guests here at Hiddle Hut.
"After booking, I email guests to find out what attracted them to stay and then make suggestions and send links to places, events and nearby walks.
"All of our feedback is about the attention to detail that we put into each and every stay.
"The most important thing to us is that our guests feel special, valued and refreshed, during and after their stay.”
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