The family-owned venue, The Finch's Arms in Hambleton, Rutland, has received news that it has gained two prestigious rankings, reserved only for the UK's most luxurious hotels and excellent restaurants - a five star AA hotel rating and two rosettes for its restaurant.

The news follows an anonymous inspection, with the results having been received by the hotel the same day.

The AA awards five stars - its highest ranking - to hotels which have luxurious accommodation and public areas, among other features, while the two rosettes celebrate "excellent restaurants" with high standards, precision in cooking and attention to quality ingredients.

The Finch's, a 10-bedroom 18th century English country inn, nestled in the heart of the Hambleton peninsula, not far from Stamford, has been owned by Colin & Celia Crawford, directors of the Proper Pub Company, for 20 years.

The couple first opened The Peacock at Redmile over 30 years ago and ran it for 10 years. Back then, it was the first Michelin listed pub in the Midlands. 

Their son and daughter, Charlotte Maulik and Jordan Crawford, joined the management team some years later and the family also owns The Finch's 'little sister', The Admiral Hornblower in Oakham.

The luxuriously appointed boutique hotel bedrooms at The Finch's Arms have recently been renovated, using local interior designers Hunters Interiors, and boast luxury fabrics, bespoke furniture and outstanding comfort, with every attention to detail thought of. There are even binoculars, so guests can look out for ospreys from their rooms, designed to feel like 'home from home'.

The hotel is managed by Liam Holmes, while Lois Strong-Stretton is the receptionist and events manager, for which The Finch's Arms is renowned.

Executive head chef Scott Judson and head chef Henrik Horvath oversee the thriving restaurant, with every diner receiving a warm welcome and exceptional service. 

The restaurant has an outstanding reputation for food and is proud to source fresh ingredients from quality local producers, including baked goods from Hambleton Bakery and Multum Gin Parvo - both based in Rutland. Dishes currently on the a la carte menu include:

• miso glazed salmon with wasabi, citrus, sesame fondant potato, pak choi, charred lime and pickled sushi ginger (£24)
• local venison loin, potatoes au gratin, cavolo nero, roasted squash puree, pickled blackberries and juniper jus (£30)
• shallot tarte tatin, beetroot ketchup, baby leeks, rocket, radish and hazelnut Salad (£18)

Speaking upon news of receiving the plaudits, director Charlotte Maulik said: "We were over the moon to hear that an anonymous individual visited our lovely, boutique hotel on a damp November day and rated it so highly that they gave it the top ranking an hotel could receive from the AA.

"Add to that, our stunning restaurant has received two AA rosettes, which to us, is the icing on the cake. It's a tribute to our marvellous team and we are delighted."

The Hambleton peninsula itself is an exclusive slip of land which juts out into Rutland Water, near Oakham. It has repeatedly been named as one of the best and most expensive places to live in the UK.