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