Staff at The Bull Hotel are “super excited” after the venue made it into a prestigious hospitality guide.

The Bull Hotel, in East Street, is included in the coveted Michelin Guide.

The news came as a “very welcome surprise” to Sian Thompson, general manager of The Bull, a 16th century coaching inn.

Staff at the hotel had no idea inspectors from the Michelin Guide were attending and carried out their duties as they would any other day which Sian says is testament to The Bull employees and the service they deliver.

Sian said: “It’s fantastic recognition for the business, it’s really nice to stand out from the crowd and be acknowledged for having something special.”

Making the guide is an accolade many hotel managers and restaurant owners strive for; Sian achieved this feat in just seven years as a hotelier.

She says it feels extremely rewarding to be acknowledged especially after experiencing such turmoil over Covid.

Sian said: “It’s certainly fantastic news after what has been a very difficult couple of years “I’ve seen it come through tough times like the lows of Covid so its nice be coming out the other side with such positive news like this.”

The Bull is a characterful building that traces its roots back to 1535.

Even after its refurb in 2016, The Bull still managed to keep its old school theme with a modern twist.

The Michelin Guide describes the building as a “very fine boutique hotel... The look is historically inspired but quite contemporary, with eclectic influences and a collection of one-of-a-kind furnishings.”

Sian Thompson said: “We gave the hotel the décor and design inside but at the same time we were sympathetic to the original features of the building and took into consideration the age of the building.

“All 19 bedrooms are individually decorated so each room has its own niche bit of character and bit of décor.”

The Bull boasts a 4.5 star rating on review site Tripadvisor and has previously been given the Traveller’s Choice award.

One guest said: “We loved this hotel. The staff were really friendly. They always greeted us with a cheery hello and went out of their way to answer questions.”

Another said: “Look no further than the Bull Hotel for a delightful B&B experience in beautiful Bridport!”