The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) National Awards for Excellence were held at Campbell’s Cove, Sydney on Monday night, with 730 guests in attendance.
Eaton’s Hill Hotel in Queensland picked up Overall Hotel of the Year in the metropolitan category, while regional Overall Hotel of the Year went to Treendale Farm Hotel in WA.
Treendale Farm Hotel also triumphed in the Best Family Dining Category in 2021. Venue manager, Addy Ribeiro, put the continued success of ‘The Farm’ down to the staff and the local community.
“I just would like to thank the whole team involved with the Treendale Farm operation, from management to FOH, BOH and retail, for the hard work and dedication and always providing the best customer service,” Ribeiro said
“Thanks to our community for the continuous support, and for making the Farm the place to go for our community. Nothing would be possible without them.”
Flower Hotels based in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, was named Hotel Group Operator of the Year.
Byron Bay’s Beach Hotel was awarded Best Entertainment Venue, while the Best Sporting Entrainment Venue went to Landmark in the Northern Territory. Best Family Dining was won by Belair Hotel in South Australia.
It was a good night for South Australian venues, with Peninsula Hotel, taking home the title for Best Bar Presentation and Service in a metro area, and the Loxton Hotel also winning the regional counterpart to the award. The latter also won Best Redeveloped Hotel.
Western Australia swept up the bistro awards, with the Rose & Crown Hotel taking the metropolitan award, and Hybla Tavern taking the regional award.
Paul Griffiths, who works at QT Melbourne, took out top honours in the Chef of the Year category in the accommodation division, while Anthony Fullerton of the Gem Hotel, NSW, triumphed in the general category.
Finally, stalwart Perth publican, Neil Randall, was recognised with admission into the Diageo Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame.
For AHA national president, David Canny, the awards were the perfect way to begin a summer that promises to be a fruitful one for Australian venues.
“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,” Canny said.
“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.”
Alongside Canny was special guest and Australian of the Year, Dylan Alcott, who undertook a question and answer session with guests about the importance of accessibility in hospitality venues.
AHA NSW president, Scott Leach, was the host for the occasion (having recently stepped down as national president after five years at the helm, while other speakers and presenters included AHA national CEO, Stephen Ferguson.
A full list of 2022 winners is 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 & Achievement
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 Gaming Venue – 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