ONE of North East's upmarket hotels has been awarded one of the tourist industry's highest accolades.

Jesmond Dene House has been given a prestigious César award by the Good Hotel Guide 2012, which is published today.

It is the latest prize for the luxury hotel which was opened next to one of Newcastle’s largest green spaces in 2005 by developer Peter Candler and Michelin Award-winning chef Terry Laybourne.

Desmond Balmer, joint editor of the guide, said: “In well-maintained gardens in a wooded suburb of the city, Peter Candler has created an exceptional hotel with a country house feel.

“The Arts and Crafts mansion has been beautifully furnished with a contemporary touch yet in keeping with the period.

“The bedrooms are generously equipped and well serviced. In the restaurant, the superb meals are served at a fair price.

“The attentive service by a young staff is particularly praised by our readers.”

Jesmond Dene House was designed by famed Tyneside architect John Dobson and built in 1822 as a private home for a Newcastle mayor and went through various incarnations including an Air Raid Precautions Headquarters and a girls school before falling into disrepair.

The Grade II listed building was transformed in a £7m project by Candler’s Newcastle firm Rivergreen before opening as a boutique hotel, which has won wide recognition for its rooms and restaurant.

The five-star hotel has just appointed Newcastle-born Scott Davidson as its new general manager, replacing Eric Kortenbach, who ran the business since it opened. Kortenbach goes on to be operations manager of the Northumberland-based Doxford Hall group of hotels.

Davidson, who has also managed Wynyard Hall near Stockton, said: “Eric has done a great job. I’m definitely not changing anything; the quality is here already.

“I just want to lead the hotel forwards to do better.”