Weymouth is the most welcoming place in England, a recent survey has revealed.

Travel booking website, Booking.com has announced the top 10 most welcoming places in the UK, based on guest reviews.

Weymouth has been revealed as England’s most welcoming location – only missing the top spot UK spot to Stirling and Stornoway in Scotland.

The results are based on the share of properties receiving an Guest Review Award from the website in 2018.

Winners of the awards are chosen by Booking.com based on an guest feedback on the website. After checking out, guests are invited to rate their experience against six categories – cleanliness, comfort, location, facilities, staff and value for money and winners must have an average score of 8.0 or higher based on at least five reviews.

Southville Guesthouse in Dorchester Road has been handed a Guest Review Award and was selected as an outstanding property by Booking.com.

Owner Maria Stewart said she was very pleased to have been recognised in the awards.

“If people are have a nice time with their hosts and the weather is good, they will enjoy themselves. I think the welcome you get is a massive part of what makes a trip. It’s very important to guests and [the hotelier] can make a big difference,” she said.

Dorset Echo:

Maria Stewart of Southville Guesthouse in Dorchester Road

Miss Stewart added since taking over the business two and a half years ago, she already had a bank of guests who were regulars.

“To me that means a lot when you have people wanting to come back to you again and again,” she said.

John Sutton who runs the Redcliff Bed and Breakfast in Brunswick Terrace with partner Sue Page said Weymouth was a “lovely place to live”.

“I know when they do these surveys it is quite in depth, so it’s probably right,” Mr Sutton said. “Everyone is really nice around here and although Weymouth has its gripes it’s a wonderful place.”

Cllr for Melcombe Regis, Jason Osborne, who has runs The Leam Hotel on the Esplanade said the news was “fantastic”.

Mr Osborne said over the last few years Weymouth had received lots of good news, with the beach and the harbour winning awards, alongside the latest accolade.

“I am delighted,” Mr Osborne said. “We can see something tangible. I thought five years ago, Weymouth was only going to go in one direction but I wasn’t expecting it to be so quick. We are moving rapidly towards where we should be.”

He added he hoped it would encourage people who had written Weymouth off in the past, to give the resort another chance.

Mr Osborne added Weymouth’s hoteliers provided “clean, honest and decent” small-scale accommodation for a range of clientele but he felt Weymouth need a “top end hotel to the complete the package”.

Cllr Richard Kosior, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s briefholder for leisure, culture and tourism, said: “It’s fantastic to learn that Weymouth has been recognised as one of the most welcoming destinations in the UK, especially as this award is based on feedback from staying guests. Congratulations to all of the people working in the tourism economy that provide outstanding customer service ensuring that all visitors gain a positive experience of both Weymouth and Dorset as a whole.”