Australian Hotels Association 2015 National Awards for Excellence
The elite of Australia’s hospitality and accommodation industry were honoured in a glittering nation-wide function held on the Gold Coast in Queensland in September 2015.
Among the highlights was the induction of New South Wales hotel industry stalwart Bevan Douglas into the Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame. Mr Douglas and his family have made significant social and economic contributions to the city of Tamworth. Mr Douglas has also championed the rights of hoteliers over the past 25 years.
Over 450 people, representing hotel and accommodation venues from right around the country were present at the annual awards night, held at Jupiter’s Casino.
The awards feature both venue and individual awards, with the stars in various industry vocations across the industry recognised.
The Overall Hotel of the Year at a metropolitan level went to The Oaks in Neutral Bay New South Wales, while at a regional national level, it was The Grandview Hotel in the coastal town of Bowen in Queensland.
The Stirling Hotel in Adelaide was crowned the Best Restaurant (Metropolitan) while the best regional restaurant went to Frogmore Creek in Tasmania.
Saffire in Tasmania got the nod for the Best Deluxe Accommodation, while, the Overall Hotel of the Year (Accommodation division) went to the Berkeley River Lodge in the Kimberley’s, Western Australia.
The Jamala Lodge in the ACT was rewarded for its effort in tourism promotion, while the Best Pub Style accommodation went to Flinders Hotel in the tiny town of Flinders in regional Victoria.
The prestigious Overall Chef of the Year was shared between Chase Kojima from The Star in Sydney and Lee Kwicz from Lilianfels Resort & Spa, Darley’s.
Hotel Industry Rising Star winners were Andrew El-Bayeh from ivy in Sydney and Ana Pereira from The Westin Sydney.
A full list of winner’s s featured below.
For further information contact Stephen Ferguson on 0412 654 000.
| Best Tourism Initiative | Jamala Wildlife Lodge | Weston | ACT |
| Best Gaming Venue – Metropolitan | Royal Oak Hotel | North Adelaide | SA |
| Best Bistro – Metropolitan | The Moseley Bar & Kitchen | Glenelg | SA |
| Best Restaurant – Metropolitan | The Stirling Hotel | Stirling | SA |
| Best Bar Presentation & Service – Metropolitan | Matisse Beach Club | Scarborough | WA |
| Best Restaurant – Accommodation Division | Lilianfels Resort & Spa, Darley’s | Katoomba | NSW |
| Best Redeveloped Hotel – Accommodation Division | RACV Royal Pines Resort | Benowa | QLD |
| Best Marketed Hotel – Accommodation Division | Grand Hyatt Melbourne | Melbourne | VIC |
| Best Pub-Style Accommodation | Flinders Hotel | Flinders | VIC |
| Best Mid-Range Accommodation | Quality Hotel Gateway | Devonport | TAS |
| Best Resort-Style Accommodation | Crown Metropol Perth | Burswood | WA |
| Best Suite/Apartment Hotel | Fraser Suites Sydney | Sydney | NSW |
| Best Deluxe Accommodation | Saffire Freycinet | Coles Bay | TAS |
| Bartender of the Year | The Classroom (Andrew Bennett) | North Perth | WA |
| Chef of the Year | Lilianfels Resort & Spa, Darley’s (Lee Kwicz) | Katoomba | NSW |
| The Star (Chase Kojima) | Pyrmont | NSW | |
| Front of House Employee of the Year | Crown Towers Melbourne (Tom Stewart) | Southbank | VIC |
| Employee Excellence in Service | Mon Komo Hotel (Amanda Melville) | Redcliffe | QLD |
| Rydges Melbourne (Joseph Ancora) | Melbourne | VIC | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Training | Spirit Hotels | Upper Mount Gravatt | QLD |
| Best Meeting and Events Venue | Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley | Lovedale | NSW |
| Best Superior Accommodation | Four Points by Sheraton Brisbane | Brisbane | QLD |
| Best Retail Liquor Outlet | Dan Murphy’s The Gap | Bullimba | QLD |
| Best Bistro – Regional | Huon Hill | Wodonga | VIC |
| Best Restaurant – Regional | Frogmore Creek | Cambridge | TAS |
| Best Bar Presentation & Service – Regional | Port Lincoln Hotel | Port Lincoln | SA |
| Best Gaming Venue – Regional | Country Club Tasmania | Launceston | TAS |
| Best TAB Licensed Venue | The Bridge Inn Hotel | Mernda | VIC |
| Best Keno Venue | Mildura Gateway Tavern | Mildura | VIC |
| Best Entertainment Venue | Ivy | Sydney | NSW |
| Best Outdoor/Non Enclosed Area | The Gully Public House & Garden | Tea Tree Gully | SA |
| Best Sporting Entertainment Venue | Palmerston Sports Club | Palmerston | NT |
| Tall Timbers | Smithton | TAS | |
| Best Marketed Hotel – General Division | Monsoons | Darwin | NT |
| Best Redeveloped Hotel – General Division | Cottesloe Beach Hotel | Cottesloe | WA |
| Hotel Industry Rising Star | Ivy (Andrew El-Bayeh) | Sydney | NSW |
| The Westin Sydney (Ana Pereira) | Sydney | NSW | |
| Best Environmental & Energy Efficiency Practice | Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley | Wolgan Valley | NSW |
| Outstanding Community Service & Achievement | Vine Inn, Barossa | Nuriootpa | SA |
| Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional | Grand View Hotel | Bowen | QLD |
| Overall Hotel of the Year – Accommodation Division | Berkeley River Lodge | Western Australia | WA |
| Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan | The Oaks | Neutral Bay NSW | |
| Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame | Bevan Douglas | NSW |