The ‘best of the best’ in Australian hotels were honoured at the prestigious Australian Hotels Association National Awards for Excellence.
A record 730 VIPs and industry guests – including Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott – gathered for the awards extravaganza, held at Campbell’s Cove, Sydney Harbour for the first time. New AHA National President David Canny said the event was the perfect start to a summer free from restrictions for the first time in years.
“Today is an opportunity for the best in the business to come together at the start of what is set to be a bright and prosperous Summer for our industry,” said Mr Canny.
“Nothing compares to the atmosphere, the noise and the sheer joy of being out in a lively pub full of good people, good food and great drinks. Today’s winners are proof that here in Australia we have the best hotel and accommodation venues, operators and staff in the world.
“I congratulate all finalists and winners on providing service to their patrons which is second to none.”
Speakers and presenters at the event included Order of Australia recipient Dylan Alcott who introduced the new Accessibility Award category for 2023, Australian Hotels Association National CEO Stephen Ferguson, event host AHA NSW President Scott Leach – who recently stepped down as national president after an unprecedented five years – and a host of leading industry partners. Mr Alcott took part in a QandA telling the crowd of the importance of accessibility in hospitality venues.
Another highlight was the induction of Western Australian hospitality stalwart Neil Randall into the prestigious Diageo Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame.
Winner of Overall Hotel of the Year at a metropolitan level, as well as Best Outdoor/Non-Enclosed Facility, went to Eaton’s Hill Hotel in Queensland, while at a regional level, the winner was Treendale Farm Hotel in Western Australia.
The best restaurants in the Accommodation Division went to Amara, Spicers Sangoma Retreat in New South Wales, whilethe Best Regional Restaurant went to Furneaux Restaurant, Tasmania.
The winner of the Deluxe Accommodation category was Crown Towers Sydney & The Ritz Carlton in Perth, while the Overall Hotel of the Year – Accommodation Division went to The Tasman, Tasmania.
Beach Hotel, Byron Bay in New South Wales was recognised as Best Entertainment Venue, while the Best Tourism Initiative went to The Cove, Tasmania.
The prestigious Chef of the Year award on the accommodation side went to Paul Griffiths, QT Melbourne Victoria, meanwhile, Anthony Fullerton, The Gem Hotel, New South Wales took home the honours for the general division.
Peninsula Hotel, South Australia took home top honours for Best Bar Presentation and Service in a metropolitan area.
Hotel Industry Rising Star in the general division went to Sharni Aird, Verandah Bar, Sydney, New South Wales, whilst the accommodation division went to Meg Anderson, Eos by SkyCity, South Australia.
A full list of 2022 winners are featured below:
Employee Excellence in Service – General Division | WINNER: Paradise Valley Hotel, Belgrave VIC (Liam Fisher)
Front of House Employee of the Year – General Division | WINNER: Bar Beirut, Canberra ACT (Soumi Tannous)
Chef of the Year | WINNER: QT Melbourne, VIC (Paul Griffiths) and The Gem Hotel, NSW (Anthony Fullarton)
Employee Excellence in Service – Accommodation Division | WINNER: Cyprus Lakes Resorts, Hunter Valley, NSW (Shaun O’Bryan), Ovolo South Yarra, VIC (Amy Moylan), Crown Hotels Melbourne, VIC (Brad Francis), Crown Towers Sydney, NSW (Lauren Carinci)
Front of House Employee of the Year – Accommodation Division | WINNER: Eos by SkyCity, Adelaide, SA (Siddartha Kaul)
Hotel Industry Rising Star | WINNER: Verandah Bar, Sydney, NSW (Sharni Aird), Eos by SkyCity, SA (Meg Anderson)
Outstanding Achievement in Training | WINNER: Berry Springs Tavern, NT
Outstanding Community Service & Achievemen | WINNER: Barmah Hotel, VIC and El Cortez Hotel, Canley Heights, NSW
Excellence in Innovation, Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Practice | WINNER: Howard Smith Wharves, QLD
Best Tourism Initiative | WINNER: The Cove, Tasmania TAS
Best Bar Presentation & Service – Regional | WINNER: Loxton Hotel, SA
Best Bar Presentation & Service – Metropolitan | WINNER: Peninsula Hotel, SA
Draught Beer Quality Award | WINNER: Oriental Hotel Mudgee, NSW
Best Hotel Bar – Accommodation Division | WINNER: Iris Rooftop, Hotel X, QLD
Best Retail Liquor Outlet | WINNER: Devonport Cellarbrations, TAS
Best TAB Licensed Venue | WINNER: Lizards Bar and Restaurant. NT
Best GamingVenue – Regional | WINNER: Grovedale Hotel, VIC
Best Gaming Venue – Metropolitan | WINNER: Rosstown Hotel, VIC
Best Family Dining | WINNER: Belair Hotel, SA
Best Restaurant – Regional | WINNER: Furneaux Restaurant, TAS
Best Restaurant – Metropolitan | WINNER: Fleur, The Royal, WA
Best Restaurant – Accommodation Division (Mid-Range – Superior) | WINNER: Mister Percy, The Woolstore 1888 by Ovolo, NSW
Best Restaurant – Accommodation Division (Deluxe) | WINNER: Amara, Spicers Sangoma Retreat
Best Marketed Hotel – General Division | WINNER: Cloudland, QLD
Best Marketed Hotel – Accommodation Division | WINNER: Grand Hyatt Melbourne, VIC
Best Meeting and Events Venue | WINNER: Hotel Realm, ACT
Best Suite/Apartment Hotel | WINNER: Meriton Suites Surfers Paradise, QLD
Best Sporting Entertainment Venue | WINNER: Landmark, NT
Best Entertainment Venue | WINNER: Beach Hotel, Byron Bay, NSW
Best Outdoor/Non Enclosed Facility | WINNER: Eatons Hill Hotel, QLD
Best Bistro – Regional | WINNER: Hybla Tavern, WA
Best Bistro – Metropolitan | WINNER: Rose & Crown Hotel, WA
Best Traditional Pub Accommodation | WINNER: Porters Plainland Hotel, QLD
Best Deluxe Pub Accommodation | WINNER: Bermagui Beach Hotel, NSW
Best Mid-Range Accommodation | WINNER: Mercure Melbourne Doncaster, VIC
Best Superior Accommodation | WINNER: Spicers Sangoma Retreat, NSW
Best Redeveloped Hotel – General Division | WINNER: Loxton Hotel, SA
Best Redeveloped Hotel – Accommodation Division | WINNER: JW Marriott Gold Coast, QLD
Best Deluxe Accommodation | WINNER: Crown Towers Sydney, NSW, The Ritz Carlton, Perth, WA
Best Luxury Accommodation | WINNER: Saffire Freycinet, TAS
2022 Diageo Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame | WINNER: Neil Randall, WA
Best Hotel Group Operator | WINNER: Flower Hotels, NSW
Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional | WINNER: Treendale Farm Hotel, Australind, WA
Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan | WINNER: Eatons Hill Hotel, QLD
Overall Hotel of the Year – Accommodation Division | WINNER: The Tasman, Hobart, TAS
Media Contact: Nikki Taylor 0447 956 170