Sandstone Point Hotel in Queensland has been named the Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan at the Australian Hotel Association’s National Awards for Excellence (pictured below with Lion’s new MD, David Smith) with The Bridgeport Hotel at Murray Bridge in South Australia the winner at a regional level.
Presented in Hobart on Monday evening, it was the largest hospitality industry event to be presented in the state for some time. Over 500 VIP and industry guests gathered at Princes Wharf No 1where Queensland’s industry stalwart Tom McGuire AM (2021 inductee) and South Australia’s Greg Fahey (2020 inductee), were inducted to the prestigious Diageo Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame.
AHA National President Scott Leach – pictured about with Mr McGuire and Mr Fahey – said the presentation dinner was a significant and morale-boosting event given the enormous challenges the industry has faced over the last two years.
“And while we took the opportunity to laud the stars of our industry, the occasion was just as much about an acknowledgement of the resilience and commitment of our members’ right across the spectrum.
“Against all odds, industry operators right around the country have continued to provide the highest possible levels of industry service and customer experience. Their innovation, their optimism and their commitment has shone through.
“As we rightly celebrate our winners, we also acknowledge and salute the wonderful contributions of each and every one of our industry operators during the toughest period in the industry’s long history. Australia’s hospitality industry is second to none and that was on display here tonight,” Mr Leach said.
He said the annual awards was about rewarding new ideas, excellence and old-fashioned hard work in venues ranging from mum and dad-run country pubs to huge, five-star accommodation hotels.
“It also an opportunity recognise the individual stars of our industry. They will set the standards for the future and ensure Australian hospitality continues to enjoy world -wide recognition.”
Best restaurant in the Accommodation Division went to Altitude Restaurant at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney, while the Best Regional Restaurant went to the Tinamba Hotel in Victoria.
Saffire Freycinet at Coles Bay in Tasmania won the Deluxe Accommodation, while the Overall Hotel of the Year Accommodation Division went to MACq01 Hotel, Hobart, Tasmania.
Blanche Bar in Karratha, Western Australia, was recognised for its effort in the Best Tourism Initiative section, while the Best Hotel Accommodation General Division went to Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel in Sydney.
The prestigious Chef of the Year was awarded to Adam Upton-Browning of Marnong Estate at Mickleham in Victoria, whilst The Botanical Hotel in South Yarra took home the top honours in Best Bar Presentation and Service in a metropolitan area.
Hotel Industry Rising Star went to Ricci-lee Wheeler of The Seabreeeze Hotel at Nelsons Bay.
A full list of 2021 winners is below:
Employee Excellence in Service – General Division, presented by Hostplus
WINNER: Molly, Canberra, ACT (Jess Arena)
Front of House Employee of the Year – General Division, presented by Hostplus
WINNER: Uraidla Hotel, SA (Heath Johansen)
Chef of the Year, presented by Hostplus
WINNER: Marnong Estate, Mickleham, VIC (Adam Upton-Browning)
Employee Excellence in Service – Accommodation Division, presented by Hostplus
WINNER: Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort and Spa, Yarra Glen, VIC (Mel Watson)
Front of House Employee of the Year – Accommodation Division, presented by Hostplus
WINNER: Mount Lofty House, Crafers, SA (Chris Speck)
Hotel Industry Rising Star, presented by OMC Group
WINNER: The Seabreeze Hotel, Nelson Bay, NSW (Ricci-Lee Wheeler)
Best Tourism Initiative, presented by TAA
WINNER: Blanche Bar, Karratha, WA
Best Bar Presentation & Service – Regional, presented by Carlton and Breweries Premium Beverages
WINNER: Exchange Hotel, Kilcoy, QLD
Best Bar Presentation & Service – Metropolitan, presented by Lion
WINNER: Botanical Hotel, South Yarra, VIC
Draught Beer Quality Award, presented by Lion and Carlton and Breweries Premium Beverages
WINNER: Noonamah Tavern, NT
Best Hotel Bar – Accommodation Division, presented by Australian Liquor Marketers
WINNER: Ovolo Woolloomooloo, NSW
Best Retail Liquor Outlet, presented by Diageo
WINER: Bracken Ridge Tavern, QLD
Best TAB Licensed Venue, presented by TAB
WINNER: Newmarket Tavern, Flemington, VIC
Best Keno Venue, presented by Keno
WINNER: Welcome Stranger Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Best Gaming Venue – Regional, presented by Tabcorp
WINNER: Bradford Hotel, Rutherford, NSW
Best Gaming Venue – Metropolitan, presented by Tabcorp
WINNER: Sugar Gum Hotel, Hillside, VIC
Best Family Dining, presented by Coca Cola Europacific Partners Australia
WINNER: Treendale Farm Hotel, Australind, WA
Best Restaurant – Metropolitan, presented by Coca Cola Europacific Partners Australia
WINNER: The Old Synagogue, Perth, WA
Best Restaurant – Accommodation Division, presented by Treasury Wine Estates
WINNER: Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney, NSW
Best Restaurant – Regional, presented by Bidfood
WINNER: Tinamba Hotel, VIC
Best Marketed Hotel – General Division, presented by Aristocrat
WINNER: Sandstone Point Hotel, QLD
Best Marketed Hotel – Accommodation Division, presented by Aristocrat
WINNER: The Island Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise, QLD
Best Meeting and Events Venue, presented by One Music
WINNER: Eaton’s Hill Hotel, Brisbane, QLD
Best Suite/Apartment Hotel, presented by Gaming Technology Australia
WINNER: East Hotel, Kingston, ACT
Best Sporting Entertainment Venue, presented by Foxtel Business
WINNER: Northies Cronulla Hotel, NSW
Best Environmental & Energy Efficiency Practice, presented by Coca Cola Europacific Partners Australia
WINNER: Watervale Hotel, SA
Best Superior Accommodation, presented by Coca Cola Europacific Partners Australia
JOINT WINNERS: Sails in the Desert, Ayers Rock Resort, NT and the Ship Inn Stanley, TAS
Best Hotel Accommodation – General Division, Ainsworth
WINNER: Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, NSW
Best Mid-Range Accommodation, presented by Coopers
WINNER: Holiday Inn Sydney Airport, NSW
Best Bistro – Regional, presented by Carlton and United Premium Beverages
WINNER: The Heritage Balnarring, VIC
Best Bistro – Metropolitan, presented by Carlton and United Premium Beverages
WINNER: Stirling Hotel, SA
Best Entertainment Venue, presented by One Music
WINNER: The Corner Hotel, Richmond, VIC
Outstanding Community Service & Achievement, presented by Keno
WINNERS: Duke of Brunswick Hotel, Adelaide, SA
Best Outdoor/Non-Enclosed Area, presented by One Music
WINNERS: Barangaroo House, Sydney, NSW
Outstanding Achievement in Training, presented by OMC Group
WINNER: Cataract on Paterson, Launceston, TAS
Best Redeveloped Hotel – General Division, presented by Scientific Gaming
WINNER: Tattersalls Hotel, Armidale, NSW
Best Redeveloped Hotel – Accommodation Division, presented by Hostplus
WINNER: Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences, QLD
Best Deluxe Accommodation, presented by Hostplus
WINNER: Saffire Freycinet, Coles Bay, TAS
2020 Diageo Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame, presented by Diageo
WINNER: Greg Fahey, SA
2021 Diageo Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame, presented by Diageo
WINNER: Tom McGuire AM, QLD
Best Hotel Group Operator, presented by Asahi Premium Beverages
WINNER: Sand Hill Road, VIC
Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional, presented by Carlton and United Premium Beverages
WINNER: Bridgeport Hotel, Murray Bridge, SA
Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan, presented by Lion
WINNER: Sandstone Point Hotel, QLD
Overall Hotel of the Year – Accommodation Division, presented by Lion
WINNER: Mac01, Hobart, TAS
