Eight Devon and Cornwall hotels voted top by travellers

Good food and beautiful scenery help make the South West popular

Eight hotels in Devon and Cornwall have made it into the top 25 UK hotels voted for by world travellers.

The information was gathered by the travel company TripAdvisor for its annual awards.

The company said it was "worrying" that no London hotels made the top 25 places, particularly with the 2012 Olympics looming.

The Boskerris Hotel in St Ives, Cornwall, was ranked third, with the Charterhouse in Torquay, Devon, fifth.

The top British hotel was Rudding Park near Harrogate, Yorkshire, with travellers praising its "faultless service".

TOP FIVE HOTELS

Rudding Park, Harrogate, Yorkshire

The Manor Coach House, Worcester

Boskerris Hotel, St Ives

Can-y-Bae, Llandudno, North Wales

Charterhouse Hotel, Torquay

TripAdvisor said its annual awards were based on the opinions of millions of real travellers.

European marketing vice-president Alison Copus said: "With the Olympics just two years away it's worrying not to see a single London hotel in the top 25 UK list.

"Come 2012 all eyes will be on our capital city and London hotels are clearly going to have to raise their game to make sure they provide world-class accommodation."

The Boskerris Hotel has been run by Jonathan and Marianne Bassett for the past five years.

The couple said they have seen a marked increase in the number of foreign visitors - from Europe, Australia and the US.

They were surprised, but thrilled, to be rated the third best hotel in the UK and top in Devon and Cornwall.

"I suppose the combination of a stunning location overlooking the sea, good service and a relaxed atmosphere creates the 'wow' factor," Ms Bassett told BBC News.

"But coming from the travellers is special - work of mouth recommendation is the best compliment you can get."

South West Tourism said it was an outstanding result for the region, as the overseas market was a small, but very important, sector.

Spokeswoman Annette Cole said: "It's great news, but then, the South West is renowned for its quality of customer service as well as its natural environment."

The Charterhouse in Torquay has seen a steady rise in overseas guests

The exchange rate has also been an advantage, encouraging more tourists to the area, she added.

Marion Ward who runs the Charterhouse Hotel in Torquay with her husband Les, said the results were excellent for Devon and Cornwall.

"There's so much on our doorstep, so it's a great base for travellers and holiday makers," Mrs Ward told BBC News.

"We have the natural beauty of the moors and spectacular coastlines."

Mrs Ward said the hotel has seen a steady increase in the number of foreign visitors, with bookings from Germany, Holland, Austria, Denmark, Canada and the US.

Two hotels in the Cornish resort of St Ives featured in the UK's top 25

"To get this accolade from the people who come and stay is extra special," she said.

"I'm quite stunned to be honest, but more than delighted.

"We work very hard, but we're here to look after our guests and if you offer them clean, comfortable surroundings, hospitality and good food, they appreciate it."

"The results are good news for the South West and great news for Torquay."

The other South West hotels in the top 25 were the Trelaske Hotel, Looe, Cornwall (10), the Old Rectory Hotel, Martinhoe, Devon (11), Tremarne Hotel, Mevagissey, Cornwall (15), Yeoldon House Hotel, Bideford, Devon (16), Bowling Green Hotel, Plymouth (20) and Primrose Valley Hotel, St Ives, Cornwall (25).