By Annette Shailer
The AHA(WA) Aon Hotel Awards for Excellence were presented at the Lion Nathan Gala Ball on Monday (Nov 9) recognising the state’s finest.
More than 1100 hotel and hospitality members stepped out to celebrate the evening, which was held at the Grand Ballroom at Burswood Entertainment Complex, Perth.
The night showcased finalists and winners across 45 categories, including standards of excellence in service, presentation, responsible service of alcohol, innovation, redevelopment, tourism and accommodation.
The AHA De Bortoli/6PR Perth Pub of the Year award was presented to The Gate Bar & Bistro in Success, for the second year in a row.
Other major winners include Margaret River’s Settlers Tavern, which took out the Regional Hotel/Tavern of the Year Award, while the Sheraton Perth Hotel won the Deluxe Accommodation Award.
Industry icon Murray McHenry received the Hospitality Industry Lifetime Achievement Award.
AHA(WA) chief executive, Bradley Woods, said the AHA Aon Hotel Awards for Excellence reflect the high standards prevalent across the industry.
“The hospitality sector is continually upgrading and improving services and standards, which is one of the reasons our industry is among the best in the world,” he said.
“The AHA Aon Hotel Awards for Excellence continue to be the most prestigious awards night for the industry and I would like to congratulate all our finalists and winners.”
2009 AHA AON HOTEL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE WINNERS
OVERALL AWARDS
WA’s Best Regional Hotel/Tavern of the Year Sponsored by H&L Australia
WINNER
Settlers Tavern
AHA De Bortoli/6PR Perth’s Pub of the Year Sponsored by Australian Hotels Association(WA), De Bortoli & 6PR
WINNER
The Gate Bar and Bistro
Hospitality Industry Lifetime Achievement Award Sponsored by Australian Hotels Association(WA)
Awarded to Murray McHenry
HOTEL AWARDS
Aon Risk Services Community Service Award Sponsored by Aon Risk Services
WINNER
Settlers Tavern
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
Cuballing Tavern
The Lion Nathan Bar Presentation and Service Award Sponsored by Lion Nathan
WINNER
The Breakwater
WA’s Best Responsible Service of Alcohol Award Sponsored by Coca-Cola Amatil
JOINT WINNERS
Burswood Entertainment Complex
The Vic
WA’s Best Training Initiative Award Sponsored by Hospitality Group Training
WINNER
Accor Hospitality
WA’s Best Hotel Innovation Award Sponsored by Carbon Conscious
WINNER
Steves Fine Wine & Food
WA’s Best Marketed Hotel/Tavern Award Sponsored by Premium Beverages
WINNER
The Left Bank Café Bar Restaurant
WA’s Best Retail Liquor Outlet Award Sponsored by ME Bank
WINNER
Osborne Park Hotel
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
Steves Fine Wine and Food
WA’s Best Safe Cellar Award Sponsored by BOC
WINNER
The Shed
WA’s Best Environmental Initiative Award Sponsored by Synergy
WINNER
Parmelia Hilton Perth
WA’s Best Redeveloped Hotel/Tavern Award Sponsored by MegaVision Sound & Lighting
WINNER
The Breakwater
WA’s Best Redeveloped Outdoor Area Award
WINNER
Southerlys Harbour View Bar and Restaurant
ACCOMMODATION AWARDS
WA’s Best Marketed Accommodation Hotel/Resort Award Sponsored by Advans Exhibition Services
WINNER
Parmelia Hilton Perth
WA’s Best Tourism Initiative Award Sponsored by Tourism Western Australia
WINNER
Karijini Eco Retreat
WA’s Best Conference and Banquet Services Provider Award Sponsored by Perth Convention Bureau
WINNER
Holiday Inn City Centre Perth
WA’s Best Concierge and Guest Services Provider Award Sponsored by City of Perth
WINNER
Esplanade Hotel Fremantle
WA’s Best Pub/Hotel Accommodation Award Sponsored by Mal Atwell Indoor Leisure Group
WINNER
Royal Hotel
WA’s Best Mid-Range Accommodation Award Sponsored by Customers ATM
WINNER
Perth Ambassador Hotel
WA’s Best Superior Accommodation Award Sponsored by Furniture Options
WINNER
Esplanade Hotel Fremantle
WA’s Best Deluxe Accommodation Award Sponsored by HotelsApart
WINNER
Sheraton Perth Hotel
WA’s Best Apartment/Suite Accommodation Award Sponsored by KP Electric
WINNER
Assured Ascot Quays Apartment Hotel
WA’s Best Resort Style Accommodation Award Sponsored by Surf Life Saving Western Australia
WINNER
Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa
WA’s Best Redeveloped Accommodation Hotel/Resort Award Sponsored by HFM Asset Management
WINNER
Broadwater Resort Apartments Como
WA’s Best Regional Accommodation Hotel/Resort of the Year Sponsored by HISCO Hospitality and Healthcare
WINNER
Pinctada Cable Beach Resort and Spa
EMPLOYEE AWARDS
WA’s Best Bar Services Employee Award Sponsored by Diageo Australia
WINNER
Jason Juraszek – Universal Bar
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
Karl Burke – The Shed
WA’s Best Cookery Services Employee Award Sponsored by Vocational Training Services
WINNER
David Winnett – Duxton Hotel Perth
WA’s Best Front Office Services Employee Award Sponsored by HOSTPLUS
WINNER
Nigel Jenkins – Esplanade Hotel Fremantle
WA’s Best Dining & Banquet Services Employee Award Sponsored by Staging Connections
WINNER
Lenka Goldsmidova – Parmelia Hilton Perth
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
Steve-Nyx Ruki – Esplanade Hotel Fremantle
WA’s Best Administration Employee Award Sponsored by HOSTPLUS
WINNER
Taryn Spicer – Crowne Plaza Perth
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
Meg Coffey – The George
WA’s Best Employee Excellence in Service Award Sponsored by Hospitalitybiz
WINNER
Claire Wynne – J.B. O’Reilly’s
AHA – HGT Hotel Industry Rising Star of Award Sponsored by Australian Hotels Association (WA) and Hospitality Group Training
WINNER
Claire Bateman – Holiday Inn City Centre Perth
ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS
WA’s Best TAB Hotel/PubTAB Venue Award Sponsored by Racing and Wagering Western Australia
WINNER
Last Chance Tavern
WA’s Best Sporting Entertainment Venue Award Sponsored by Fox Sports
JOINT WINNERS
Carbon Bar – Burswood Entertainment Complex
Greenwood Hotel
WA’s Best Live Entertainment Award Sponsored by APRA
JOINT WINNERS
Charles Hotel
Paddington Ale House
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
Mundaring Weir Hotel
WA’s Best Themed Bar Award Sponsored by Coca-Cola Amatil
WINNER
Belgian Beer Café Westende
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
J.B. O’Reilly’s
WA’s Best Contemporary Bar Award Sponsored by Smart Beverages
JOINT WINNERS
The Cabin
The George
DINING AWARDS
WA’s Best Steak Sandwich Award Sponsored by Meat Direct
WINNER
Inglewood Hotel
WA’s Best Bistro Award Sponsored by Constellation Wines Australia
WINNER
The Gate Bar and Bistro
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
Port Kennedy Tavern
WA’s Best Casual Family Dining Award Sponsored by Evoke Media
JOINT WINNERS
Clancy’s Fish Pub Fremantle
Seven Mile Inn
WA’s Best Hotel/Tavern Restaurant Award Sponsored by 92.9
WINNER
Subiaco Hotel (Hall of Fame)
Ishka Restaurant – The Breakwater
WA’s Best Restaurant Award Sponsored by The West Australian
JOINT WINNERS
Wise Vineyard Restaurant
Zafferano
WA’s Best Accommodation Hotel/Resort Restaurant Award Sponsored by HLW(WA)
WINNER
SELENE Brasserie – Pinctada Cable Beach Resort and Spa
WA’s Best Hotel/Tavern Wine List Award Sponsored by Pernod Ricard Australia
WINNER
The George
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
Steves Fine Wine & Food
WA’s Best Accommodation Hotel/Resort Wine List Award Sponsored by Samuel Smith & Son
WINNER
Burswood Entertainment Complex – (A)LURE Dining Room and Bar (Hall of Fame)