Galgorm Resort employee honoured with rare AA Courtesy and Care Award

Flory Dragomir, Food and Beverages Assistant at Galgorm Resort, part of Galgorm Collection, has been awarded a prestigious AA Courtesy and Care Award.

A food and beverages assistant at the five-star Galgorm Resort in County Antrim has been recognised with a prestigious AA Courtesy and Care Award after impressing inspectors during a mystery overnight hotel inspection.

Flory Dragomir, who works within Galgorm Resort’s food and beverages team, received the national award following an unannounced stay by an AA inspector last week.

The inspection formed part of the AA’s rigorous assessment process, carried out without hotels being aware an evaluation is taking place until the mystery guest checks out the following morning.

AA inspection highlights exceptional customer care

While the inspector praised the friendliness and professionalism of all staff encountered during the stay, Flory was singled out for particular recognition. The inspector noted her natural instinct to go above and beyond in delivering customer service, alongside her strong anticipation of guests’ needs.

The AA Courtesy and Care Award is only presented to a small number of individuals each year and is designed to recognise exceptional standards of personal service encountered by AA inspectors as they tour hotels across the UK.

The AA’s inspection programme provides a trusted, independent assessment of hotels, carried out against a set of quality standards agreed by an independent Quality Advisory Board.

Recognition for long-serving team member

Galgorm Collection said the award reflects its ongoing focus on staff development and delivering an enhanced guest experience. The hospitality group provides continuous training opportunities to support learning, skills development and career progression across its workforce.

Commenting on the achievement, Laura Millar, People and Development Associate Director at Galgorm Collection, said:

“We are delighted that Flory’s hard work and her commitment to our guests have been recognised by the AA. She joined us eight years ago and achieved an OCN level two in Food and Beverage Service from the NI Hospitality School in 2023. Flory has really made her mark within the food and beverages team, with her colleagues and guests.

“An AA inspection is the benchmark of hotel inspections as it includes a rigorous assessment against all aspects of hospitality, from comfort and cleanliness to food and drink offerings to overall guest experience. We are very proud of Flory and all our team who strive to deliver the very best in customer service to all of our guests.”

World-class hospitality in County Antrim

The five-star Galgorm Resort, part of Galgorm Collection, is set within more than 550 acres of parkland in County Antrim and is widely recognised for its world-class hospitality.

The resort features a globally award-winning luxury thermal spa village and a range of restaurants and bars, including Gillies Restaurant and Fratelli Ristorante, both of which hold an AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence.

Galgorm Collection is a major local employer and offers a wide range of hospitality careers at all levels. Over the past decade, the company has significantly expanded its hospitality footprint and workforce, while maintaining a strong commitment to economic impact and community support as its growth continues.