On Tuesday evening, winners of the 2024 AHA|SA Hotel Industry Awards for Excellence were recognised in a ceremony held at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, attended by more than 900 people.
Just over a year since unveiling the first stage of a $10m renovation, Adelaide’s Arkaba Hotel had an outstanding show, scooping the coveted Best Overall Hotel – General Division (Metropolitan) and five additional awards.
Anna Hurley, project manager for Hurley Hotel Group, which operates the Arkaba Hotel, commented: “The team is thrilled to have received this award. It’s the culmination of two years of work from a lot of people so it’s a great credit to the whole team. We know how many incredible hotels there are in South Australia so it’s a great honour to be recognised.”
Last year, the venue underwent its first major renovation in its 60-year history, and the transformation was recognised with the award for Best Redeveloped Hotel – General Division Metropolitan.
Owner Peter Hurley says: “The Arkaba was a world-class development by superb architects back in 1965. There is an event-based positive vibe in SA currently that gave us the confidence to give the superbly located Arkaba a once-in-60-year major revitalisation. Fortunately, it also gives our bank the confidence to fund investment in our industry.
“We have a great team of managers, a marketing team, admin team, recruiting and coaching, and a highly motivated frontline crew. Collectively they impressed the judging panel sufficiently to give us six awards including the prestigious Overall Best Hotel,” he stated.
Anna added: “We are incredible fortunately to have a beautiful building to work in with so many facilities. Firstly, it shows the dynamic nature of this venue and we really hope that we can be a place where all different walks of life feel welcome.”
Other awards collected by the Arkaba Hotel include Best Entertainment Venue, Best Outdoor Non-Enclosed Facility – Metropolitan, Best Sporting Entertainment Venue and Community Service & Support.
The pinnacle of excellence
The McLaren Vale Hotel achieved back-to-back success at the AHA|SA Awards, named Best Overall Hotel – Country for the second year in a row, also taking home the title of Best Casual Dining – Country and Bar Presentation & Experience – Country.
Tony Symonds, group operations general manager for Palmer Hospitality Group which owns the McLaren Vale Hotel, says winning such a prestigious award in successive years is an incredible achievement.
“Taking ownership of a country hotel can be very challenging for so many reasons but we have had wonderful support from the wider McLaren Vale community. Working through the renovation of a venue that is heritage listed provided its own challenges, however, we have been thrilled by the finished product and all feedback from our patrons has been extremely positive.
“The plan now is to continue to improve our offer to the McLaren Vale community and to play our part in the growth of the tourism industry throughout this magnificent region of the Fleurieu Peninsula,” he explained.
Congratulating the Arkaba Hotel and McLaren Vale Hotel on their wins, AHA|SA CEO Anna Moeller said the two venues had achieved the pinnacle of excellence.
“The Arkaba exemplifies what hard-working and entrepreneurial South Australian families can do. The award is a stunning tribute to their unparalleled commitment to excellence.
“I am in awe of the McLaren Vale Hotel and Mount Lofty House. The ability of their teams to win top awards two years in a row is an astonishing feat and richly deserved.
“But ultimately, all the winners and nominees tonight reflect the incredible quality of South Australian hotels, which deliver world-class experiences across the entire state,” she continued.
With a total of 45 winners across awards categories, other pub winners include the Crown and Anchor Hotel, which claimed the Live Music Venue Award after a community-led campaign saved the pub from demolition earlier this year.
Premier of South Australia, Hon Peter Malinauskas MP, says he was delighted to join South Australia’s hotel industry to celebrate the winners.
“It was a tightly-run race in so many categories, speaking volumes to the quality of our state’s hospitality industry,” he explained.
“These achievements are important to acknowledge at a time when SA is rapidly becoming the destination state. The food, beverage, and accommodation services on offer in South Australia are second to none. Hotels and pubs remain the backbone of many metropolitan and rural communities – they are a source of employment, investment, and community spirit that I am very proud of as a South Australian.”
You can view the full list of winners here.