Bed and breakfast proprietor Dan Williams has spoken of his delight after a popular globetrotting travel blogger heaped praise on his business.
Caroline Rowe, the woman behind Pack the Suitcases.com singled out Raymonds as the best B&B she visited last year.
And the north west of England based social media expert also awarded her best local destination accolade to the Isle of Man itself.
Mr Williams remembers well the weekend booking made by Caroline and her husband Chris last August.
The couple stayed two nights in one of the two rooms used for B&B at Hutchinson Square, Douglas.
Mr Williams, who did not know at the time about Caroline’s blogging fame on the internet, said she and her husband were very friendly.
Caroline later wrote words of praise about her visit to the island. Then as 2018 drew to a close she listed her awards of the year.
She wrote: ’Raymonds B&B in Douglas, Isle of Man, was a real unexpected treat.
’There are loads of self-catering places and B&Bs all over the island but as we don’t drive, being in or near Douglas (the capital) is usually the best bet for getting to most places easily on the Isle of Man’s public transport.
’Raymonds looked good online but it surpassed my expectations in real life.
’We had a really gorgeous massive room that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a Laura Ashley catalogue.
’It was only £75 a night, complete with brilliant veggie breakfast (harder to get than you’d think sometimes).
’I think it’ll be our new go-to B&B on the island.
Mr Williams said he has received a spate of bookings for 2019 and he believes the warm words in Pack the Suitcases.com have played their part.
Mr Williams told Business News: ’We are also number one in the island for Trip Advisor and Booking.com with a recommended rating of 9.9.
’We were delighted to have won such praise from Caroline.
’But it is also great for the island that it is receiving such positive attention.’
Raymonds has had some interesting guests over the last few years including tribute acts that have been appearing in shows in the island.
Blogger Caroline wrote about 60 things to do in the Isle of Man, ’the hidden gem of the British Isles.’
She wrote: ’No matter how many times I go back, I’m always finding new things to do, see and of course eat.
’I’m also extra fond of it because it was the first place I ever got recognised in public by a blog reader, which I will never tire of going on and on and on about. No regrets.
’Also, my ’’60 things to do’’ post went viral and I ended up with more visitors to the blog than ever before.’
Mr Williams is commercial manager at Isle of Man Newspapers.