On Somerset Live - 'Kinmoza' B&B near Bath propels owner to celebrity status in Japan after inspiring hit TV series

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The owner of a picture-postcard English B&B has become a celebrity in Japan - after her hotel was turned into a hit animated TV series.

Caron Cooper, 60, has even hosted the Japanese royal family after a chance meeting with a Japanese couple at a market stall in 1989.

Shozo and Yasuko Mitani, mentioned that they were opening a British-themed B&B in Japan, so Caron invited them to visit her farmhouse.

They loved it so much they modelled large parts of their Japanese B&B on her home, and as it grew in popularity she in turn began to receive an increasing number of Japanese visitors.

Her business then began featuring in Japanese magazines and on TV, and was the star of a major campaign to attract Japanese tourists to the UK.

Caron was then invited by the British Embassy in Japan to make tea and scones for the Japanese Royal Family at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

On 5 News - Kinmoza fame: Foss Farmhouse B&B in the Cotswolds big in Japan

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On 5 News - Kinmoza fame: Foss Farmhouse B&B in the Cotswolds big in Japan

When Caron Cooper met a Japanese couple visiting London in the eighties they mentioned they wanted to open a British-style B & B. So she invited them to the one she runs in the Cotswolds for inspiration. Little did she imagine that thirty years later it would inspire a hit series in Japan and a full length feature film.

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Britain's Best B&B Announces Fosse Farmhouse as B&B Story of the Year

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Fosse Farmhouse in Castle Combe wins AA B&B Story of the Year

Today, AA Hotel & Hospitality Services has announced the winners of this year’s prestigious AA B&B Awards at an event held at The Landmark Hotel, Marylebone. The annual event, now in its 23rd year, recognises the diversity and individuality behind some of the nation’s most remarkable B&Bs and celebrates the people that devote their lives to running them.

Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Hotel & Hospitality Services said: “B&Bs are an integral part of the British hospitality industry, providing a unique experience and bespoke customer care. The AA B&B Awards are an important date in the AA’s calendar, as we celebrate all that is great about B&Bs and highlight those that are constantly striving beyond what is expected. I’d like to congratulate this year’s winning B&Bs for their continued hard-work and for delivering AA customers a fantastic service.”

The winners of the 2018 AA B&B Awards are:

AA FRIENDLIEST B&B OF THE YEAR

The Temple Bar Inn – Hereford, Herefordshire

Owner of The Temple Bar Inn, Philly Jinman commented: “We’d like to thank our amazing small team who work so hard and are like a family. We’ve had tremendous support from the AA in our time of membership.”

AA GUEST ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR, SCOTLAND
Cruikshanks Boutique B&B – Isle of Arran

Owner of Cruikshanks Boutique B&B, Nanette Cowieson commented: “Although Rob (Owner) loves to pull my leg about my innately American preoccupation with winning, the really wonderful thing is being recognised for something that both of us have worked towards for many years - a special guest destination.”

ENGLAND
Old Town Hall – Leyburn, North Yorkshire

Owner of Old Town Hall, Louise Clarke commented: “We are surprised, shocked and delighted to have won this prestigious award from the AA.  When we started two and half years ago we never imagined we would be recognised by such a highly regarded organisation for doing something we enjoy. We look forward to sharing this amazing news with our guests and local suppliers.”

WALES
Rhedyn Guest House – Builth Wells, Powys

Owner of Rhedyn Guest House, Muiread O Connell commented: “It’s so nice to think that our efforts have been recognised. To be honest we’re overawed, but also really delighted. We think there is no secret in running a B&B - it’s about making guests feel like they are staying with friends; making them feel like they are being cared for; and making them feel like someone has gone that extra mile for them.” 

AA B&B STORY OF THE YEAR – sponsored by Eviivo
Fosse Farmhouse – Castle Combe, Wiltshire

Owner of Fosse Farmhouse, Caren Cooper commented: “Being curious and inquisitive and always asking why - you never know where you’ll end up. For me it took me from a little village in Wiltshire to Tokyo and around the world.”
The Fosse Farmhouse B&B's story

AA UNIQUE B&B OF THE YEAR
The 25 Boutique B&B – Torquay, Devon

Owners of The 25 Boutique B&B, Andy and Julian Banner-Price commented: “We’re really proud to have won the unique B&B of the year award, to be recognised at a national level and to showcase the English Riviera and Devon as a destination with an excellent offering.”  

AA RESTAURANT WITH ROOMS OF THE YEAR
Long Melford Swan – Long Melford, Suffolk

Directors of Long Melford Swan, Andrew Oliver, Iain Macmillan and Lorna Pissarro commented: “We’re amazed to have won such a prestigious award and would like to thank the AA for their support and the team at the Swan for their hard-work. We’re excited to get back and celebrate with our team and customers.”

NORTHERN IRELAND
Causeway Lodge – Bushmills, County Antrim

Owner of Causeway Lodge, Anne Taggart commented: “The Guest Accommodation of the Year is a wonderful accolade to have won, and we are thrilled to have been chosen by the AA - all of our hard work has paid off, and being recognised at the top means everything.”

With five categories, ranging from the friendliest to the most unique, the winning establishments have been chosen due to their impeccable service and superb offering. Research by online booking experts eviivo, sponsors of the AA Friendliest B&B Award, found that in nearly 1,500 reviews of its top 100 properties, guests most frequently cited ‘friendly’ (17.5% of reviews), ‘hosts’ (16.5%) and ‘welcome’ (13.5%) when praising an establishment, revealing the importance of these traits to a successful B&B.

For further information, please visit: http://www.theaa.com/hospitality-awards/news/bed-and-breakfast-awards-2018

For more information about eviivo, please visit: https://eviivo.com