The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) held its 2021 National Awards for Excellence in Hobart on Monday night, to celebrate the stars of Australia’s hospitality and accommodation industry.
After the massive challenges that the industry has faced over the last two years, the presentation dinner, with more than 500 VIPs and industry guests in attendance, was a significant and morale-boosting event according to AHA National President Scott Leach.
“And while we took the opportunity to laud the stars of our industry, the occasion was just as much about an acknowledgement of the resilience and commitment of our members’ right across the spectrum,” Leach said.
“Against all odds, industry operators right around the country have continued to provide the highest possible levels of industry service and customer experience. Their innovation, their optimism and their commitment has shone through.
“As we rightly celebrate our winners, we also acknowledge and salute the wonderful contributions of each and every one of our industry operators during the toughest period in the industry’s long history. Australia’s hospitality industry is second to none and that was on display here tonight.”
Leach said the awards are about rewarding new ideas, excellence and old-fashioned hard work in venues ranging from mum and dad-run country pubs to huge, five-star accommodation hotels.
“It also an opportunity recognise the individual stars of our industry. They will set the standards for the future and ensure Australian hospitality continues to enjoy world -wide recognition,” he said.
The night saw two new inductees into the prestigious Diageo Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame, with South Australia’s Greg Fahey the 2020 inductee and Queensland’s Tom McGuire AM the 2021 inductee.
In terms of the award winners, the Overall Hotel of the Year at a metropolitan level went to the Sandstone Point Hotel in Queensland, while at a regional level, the winner was The Bridgeport Hotel at Murray Bridge in South Australia.
The best restaurant in the Accommodation Division went to Altitude Restaurant at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney, while the Best Regional Restaurant went to the Tinamba Hotel in Victoria.
Saffire Freycinet at Coles Bay in Tasmania won the Deluxe Accommodation, while the Overall Hotel of the Year Accommodation Division went to MACq01 Hotel, Hobart, Tasmania.
Blanche Bar in Karratha, Western Australia, was recognised for its effort in the Best Tourism Initiative section, while the Best Hotel Accommodation General Division went to Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel in Sydney.
The prestigious Chef of the Year was awarded to Adam Upton-Browning of Marnong Estate at Mickleham in Victoria, whilst The Botanical Hotel in South Yarra took home the top honours in Best Bar Presentation and Service in a metropolitan area.
Hotel Industry Rising Star went to Ricci-lee Wheeler of The Seabreeeze Hotel at Nelsons Bay.
A full list of 2021 winners are featured below:
- Employee Excellence in Service – General Division, presented by Hostplus
- WINNER: Molly, Canberra, ACT (Jess Arena)
- Front of House Employee of the Year – General Division, presented by Hostplus
- WINNER: Uraidla Hotel, SA (Heath Johansen)
- Chef of the Year, presented by Hostplus
- WINNER: Marnong Estate, Mickleham, VIC (Adam Upton-Browning)
- Employee Excellence in Service – Accommodation Division, presented by Hostplus
- WINNER: Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort and Spa, Yarra Glen, VIC (Mel Watson)
- Front of House Employee of the Year – Accommodation Division, presented by Hostplus
- WINNER: Mount Lofty House, Crafers, SA (Chris Speck)
- Hotel Industry Rising Star, presented byOMC Group
- WINNER: The Seabreeze Hotel, Nelson Bay, NSW (Ricci-Lee Wheeler)
- Best Tourism Initiative, presented byTAA
- WINNER: Blanche Bar, Karratha, WA
- Best Bar Presentation & Service – Regional, presented by Carlton and Breweries Premium Beverages
- WINNER: Exchange Hotel, Kilcoy, QLD
- Best Bar Presentation & Service – Metropolitan, presented byLion
- WINNER: Botanical Hotel, South Yarra, VIC
- Draught Beer Quality Award, presented byLion and Carlton and Breweries Premium Beverages
- WINNER: Noonamah Tavern, NT
- Best Hotel Bar – Accommodation Division, presented by Australian Liquor Marketers
- WINNER: Ovolo Woolloomooloo, NSW
- Best Retail Liquor Outlet, presented by Diageo
- WINNER: Bracken Ridge Tavern, QLD
- Best TAB Licensed Venue, presented byTAB
- WINNER: Newmarket Tavern, Flemington, VIC
- Best Keno Venue, presented by Keno
- WINNER: Welcome Stranger Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
- Best Gaming Venue – Regional, presented by Tabcorp
- WINNER: Bradford Hotel, Rutherford, NSW
- Best Gaming Venue – Metropolitan, presented by Tabcorp
- WINNER: Sugar Gum Hotel, Hillside, VIC
- Best Family Dining, presented by Coca Cola Europacific Partners Australia
- WINNER: Treendale Farm Hotel, Australind, WA
- Best Restaurant – Metropolitan, presented by Coca Cola Europacific Partners Australia
- WINNER: The Old Synagogue, Perth, WA
- Best Restaurant – Accommodation Division, presented by Treasury Wine Estates
- WINNER: Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney, NSW
- Best Restaurant – Regional, presented by Bidfood
- WINNER: Tinamba Hotel, VIC
- Best Marketed Hotel – General Division, presented by Aristocrat
- WINNER: Sandstone Point Hotel, QLD
- Best Marketed Hotel – Accommodation Division, presented by Aristocrat
- WINNER: The Island Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise, QLD
- Best Meeting and Events Venue, presented by One Music
- WINNER: Eaton’s Hill Hotel, Brisbane, QLD
- Best Suite/Apartment Hotel, presented by Gaming Technology Australia
- WINNER: East Hotel, Kingston, ACT
- Best Sporting Entertainment Venue, presented by Foxtel Business
- WINNER: Northies Cronulla Hotel, NSW
- Best Environmental & Energy Efficiency Practice, presented by Coca Cola Europacific Partners Australia
- WINNER: Watervale Hotel, SA
- Best Superior Accommodation, presented by Coca Cola Europacific Partners Australia
- JOINT WINNERS: Sails in the Desert, Ayers Rock Resort, NT and the Ship Inn Stanley, TAS
- Best Hotel Accommodation – General Division, Ainsworth
- WINNER: Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, NSW
- Best Mid-Range Accommodation, presented byCoopers
- WINNER: Holiday Inn Sydney Airport, NSW
- Best Bistro – Regional, presented by Carlton and United Premium Beverages
- WINNER: The Heritage Balnarring, VIC
- Best Bistro – Metropolitan, presented by Carlton and United Premium Beverages
- WINNER: Stirling Hotel, SA
- Best Entertainment Venue, presented by One Music
- WINNER: The Corner Hotel, Richmond, VIC
- Outstanding Community Service & Achievement, presented by Keno
- WINNERS: Duke of Brunswick Hotel, Adelaide, SA
- Best Outdoor/Non-Enclosed Area, presented by One Music
- WINNERS: Barangaroo House, Sydney, NSW
- Outstanding Achievement in Training, presented by OMC Group
- WINNER: Cataract on Paterson, Launceston, TAS
- Best Redeveloped Hotel – General Division, presented by Scientific Gaming
- WINNER: Tattersalls Hotel, Armidale, NSW
- Best Redeveloped Hotel – Accommodation Division, presented by Hostplus
- WINNER: Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences, QLD
- Best Deluxe Accommodation, presented by Hostplus
- WINNER: Saffire Freycinet, Coles Bay, TAS
- 2020 Diageo Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame, presented by Diageo
- WINNER: Greg Fahey, SA
- 2021 Diageo Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame, presented by Diageo
- WINNER: Tom McGuire AM, QLD
- Best Hotel Group Operator, presented by Asahi Premium Beverages
- WINNER: Sand Hill Road, VIC
- Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional, presented by Carlton and United Premium Beverages
- WINNER: Bridgeport Hotel, Murray Bridge, SA
- Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan, presented by Lion
- WINNER: Sandstone Point Hotel, QLD
- Overall Hotel of the Year – Accommodation Division, presented by Lion
- WINNER: Mac01, Hobart, TAS