Skipton hotel is the perfect holiday destination for Silsden couple (From Craven Herald)

Pair have enjoyed 50 stays at the Rendezvous Hotel

11:00am Sunday 2nd September 2012 in News

A Craven couple have proved you don’t need to travel thousands of miles in search of the perfect holiday – by racking up about 50 stays in a hotel only five miles from their Silsden home.

For the past decade, Gordon and Betty Whitham have enjoyed just one holiday destination – the Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton .

Their most recent trip was to celebrate Mr Whitham’s 80th birthday earlier this month, but they stay there to mark every birthday, anniversary or just to “get away from it all”.

Mrs Whitham, who works at the Co-op in Silsden, said that she and her husband of 48 years did not need to travel any further to make it feel as though they have had a break.

“We simply love staying at the Rendezvous. The minute we walk in, we feel like we’re on holiday,” she said.

Mr Whitham, a retired foreman who continues to play bowls for a local club, said: “The hotel has a restaurant overlooking the canal and we always eat there. It’s a wonderfully peaceful place to dine while watching boats and swans drift by.”

The couple, described as spritely, enjoy their time there so much that they recommend it to their family and friends, and also sometimes book their son and daughter-in-law into the honeymoon suite as a special treat.

They also make their own Christmas crackers containing vouchers for short breaks there and give them to their nearest and dearest as presents.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said the couple appeared to be perfect cheerleaders for the county’s tourist industry.

“Gordon and Betty clearly have great taste and it’s wonderful to know that they’ve been enjoying holidays on their doorstep for all those years,” he said.

“Skipton’s reputation as a visitor destination is growing fast – I hope Gordon and Betty have many more wonderful holidays near home.”

Malcolm Weaving, who runs the 80-room hotel with his wife, Karen, said: “We are extremely proud to have such loyal customers as Mr and Mrs Whitham and we’re delighted they continue to choose to stay with us time and time again.

“It proves that if you live in Yorkshire, the best place to holiday is right on your doorstep.”