2019 AHA NATIONAL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
AUSTRALIA’S TOP HOTELS RECOGNISED AT AHA NATIONAL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
The nation’s best hotels have been recognised at a gala ceremony on Queensland’s Gold Coast this afternoon.
Nearly 500 VIP and industry guests from across Australia were at The Star on the Gold Coast for the 2019 Australian Hotels Association National Awards for Excellence.
There was a standing ovation for Tasmanian Hospitality Association President Paul Jubb – this year’s National Hall of Fame recipient, and a moment of silence for industry icon former National President Peter Burnett of Victoria who passed away earlier this year.
Sydney’s Barangaroo House was named Overall Hotel of the Year (Metropolitan) while Tasmania’s Shoreline Hotel took the Overall Hotel of the Year (Regional) title.
Crown Towers Perth won Overall Hotel of the Year (Accommodation Division).
Best Group Hotel Operator was won by the Sydney-based Feros Group.
Best Deluxe Accommodation went to The Darling, Star Gold Coast – the same venue took out the award for Best Redeveloped Hotel (Accommodation). Best Restaurant (Metropolitan) was won by Wildflower at COMO The Treasury (Western Australia), while Best Restaurant (Regional) went to Furneaux Restaurant (Tasmania).
The title of Best Tourism Initiative was won by Voyages Ayers Rock Resort (Northern Territory).
The hard-fought Chef of the Year title went to Christopher Bonello, MPD Steak Kitchen, Zagame’s Berwick Hotel (Victoria) and Hotel Industry Rising Star was won jointly by Nick Warner from the Holiday Inn Express Brisbane (Queensland) and James Lightbody, Hotel Realm (Australian Capital Territory).
AHA NSW and National President Scott Leach said the venues and their hardworking staff showcased the best of Australian tourism and hospitality to the world.
“Our national awards annually draw together the best venues of the year from right across Australia,” he said.
“Hotels which lead the way in innovation, in inspiration and in design. Together, our finalists show that when you’re at your pub – when you’re at your local – there’s no better place to be in Australia.
“We are here today to celebrate the outstanding individuals who drive our hotel businesses and make them the engine room of the Australian hospitality and tourism industries. I want to congratulate all finalists and winners on a job well done.”
Mr Leach paid particular tribute to the efforts of the 2019 Hall of Fame recipient Paul Jubb – a fourth generation hotelier – over a lifetime in the industry.
“Today’s inductee is someone who has never forgotten that at our core we are an industry which serves,” he said.
“He has always put the needs of others before his own. Whether that be his customers, his family or his fellow publicans. He is true publican and a very deserving inductee into the Hall of Fame.”
In a more sombre moment, Mr Leach paid tribute to the late Peter Burnett.
“Peter made an undeniable contribution to our industry which has not just benefited us all here today – his efforts and achievements will echo through to the next generation, such was his impact and influence on our industry,” he said.
“We mourn the loss of Peter, as we honour his legacy.”
A full list of 2019 Australian Hotels Association National Award Winners can be found below.
Employee Excellence in Service – General Division
Daren Holscher, Odyssea City Beach, WA
Front of House Employee of the Year – General Division
Pauric Kennedy, Barangaroo House, NSW
Chef of the Year
Chris Bonello, MPD Steak Kitchen, Zagame’s Berwick Hotel, VIC
Employee Excellence in Service – Accommodation Division
Yvonne Qian, Sheraton Melbourne Hotel, VIC
Front of House Employee of the Year – Accommodation Division
Laurent Johnson, Melbourne Marriott Hotel, VIC
Hotel Industry Rising Star – joint
Nick Warner, Holiday Inn Express Brisbane Central, QLD AND
James Lightbody, Hotel Realm, ACT
Best Tourism Initiative
Voyages Ayers Rock Resort, NT
Best Bar Presentation & Service – Regional
Beach House Hotel, QLD
Best Bar Presentation & Service – Metropolitan
Long Chim Perth, WA
Draught Beer Quality Award
The Barker Hotel, SA
Best Hotel Bar – Accommodation Division
Alibi, Ovolo Woolloomooloo, NSW
Best Retail Liquor Outlet
Beach House Hotel, QLD
Best TAB Licensed Venue
Zagame’s Golden Point Club Hotel, VIC
Best Keno Venue
Welcome Stranger Hotel, VIC
Best Gaming Venue – Regional
Jubilee Tavern, QLD
Best Gaming Venue – Metropolitan
Mawson Lakes Hotel & Function Centre, SA
Best Family Dining
Zagame’s Boronia Club Hotel, VIC
Best Restaurant – Metropolitan
Wildflower at COMO The Treasury, WA
Best Restaurant – Accommodation Division
Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant, Mount Lofty House, SA
Best Restaurant – Regional
Furneaux Restaurant, TAS
Best Marketed Hotel – General Division
The Ramsgate Hotel, SA
Best Marketed Hotel – Accommodation Division
The Island Gold Coast, QLD
Best Meeting and Events Venue
Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel, NSW
Best Suite/Apartment Hotel
East Hotel, ACT
Best Sporting Entertainment Venue
Hunters Hill Hotel, NSW
Best Environmental & Energy Efficiency Practice
Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, NSW
Best Hotel Accommodation – General Division
Stirling Hotel, SA
Best Mid-Range Accommodation
Holiday Inn Melbourne on Flinders, VIC
Best Bistro – Regional
Shoreline Hotel, TAS
Best Bistro – Metropolitan
The Oaks, NSW
Best Entertainment Venue
Corner Hotel, VIC
Outstanding Community Service & Achievement
Vine Inn Barossa, SA
Best Superior Accommodation
Maylands Lodge, TAS
Best Outdoor/Non Enclosed Facility
Sandstone Point Hotel, QLD
Outstanding Achievement in Training
Grand Hyatt Melbourne, VIC
Best Redeveloped Hotel – General Division
The Court
Best Redeveloped Hotel – Accommodation Division
The Star Gold Coast, QLD
Best Deluxe Accommodation
The Darling, The Star Gold Coast, QLD
Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame Award
Paul Jubb
Best Hotel Group Operator
Feros Group
Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional
Shoreline Hotel, TAS
Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan
Barangaroo House, NSW
Overall Hotel of the Year – Accommodation Division
Crown Towers Perth, WA
Media Contact: Jason Bartlett, 0433 95 46 57