Bermuda's hotels and guesthouses which have gone the extra mile to attain better standards than required have been recognised in the annual hotel merit awards.

The awards are given to properties which achieve the highest standards during their tourism, fire and health inspections.

The winners this year are the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Fourways Inn, Royal Palms Hotel and Ascots Restaurant, Mid-Ocean Club, Pink Beach Club, Wharf Executive Suites and Oxford House.

Further awards were given to those properties which showed excellence, but not in all categories. The police security award went to Dawkins Manor, Royal Palms and the Fairmont Hamilton.

Police certificates of commendation went to Fourways Inn, Sonesta Beach Resort and the Fairmont Southampton. The fire safety award was scooped by Oxford House, while Willowbank and Elbow Beach took the health standard awards.

The Tourism Buttery Awards, for major improvements to properties, were given to Oxford House, Sandpiper Apartments, Horizons and Cottages, and the Fairmont Southampton, which also took the David Allen Memorial Prize.

The winners were chosen by the Hotel Liaison Committee, which comprises of the Director of Tourism, the Chief Environmental Health Officer, the Chief Fire Officer, the Commissioner of Police, the coordinator of Security Services and the executive director of Bermuda Hotel Association.