The Crafers Hotel in the Adelaide Hills swept up five awards at the 2018 AHA SA Hotel Industry Awards for Excellence, including being named Best Overall Hotel in South Australia.
The hotel has transformed dramatically in the last four years after being purchased in 2014 by Ed and Julie Peter, along with shareholders Brett Matthews and Jodi Brumby. Since then, the Peters have transformed the hotel into a French-inspired gastropub focusing on food, wine and boutique accommodation. It has become a destination pub for many in South Australia, as well as an esteemed F&B offering for the Adelaide Hills community.
Besides the major award of the night, Crafers Hotel also picked up Best Superior Hotel Accommodation, Best Bistro Dining – Metropolitan (joint winner with the Port Admiral Hotel), Best Redeveloped Hotel and Best Apprentice Development and Training.
“It felt truly amazing to be recognised in this way. As a team of owners, builders and designers, we have collectively worked very hard to transform this beautiful old hotel both physically and spiritually,” said Julie Peter.
“The awards are the icing on the cake of nearly four years work. We are excited for our community of loyal locals who have supported us along the way, and for those who make the Adelaide Hills and our hotel a destination from afar. We love what we do and what we can offer our patrons, and we will continue to build on our high standards of food, beverages and service.”
The awards reflected the increasing excellence of venues in the Adelaide Hills, with Uraidla Hotel being named winner of the Best Bar Presentation and Service – Metropolitan award, while Mount Lofty House took out Best Restaurant – Accommodation Division for its Hardy’s Verandah restaurant.
The People’s Choice Award was picked up by The Elephant British Pub in Adelaide’s CBD. General manager Will Taylor was thankful to voters saying he was “extremely proud” of the recognition.
“Considering the high level of competitiveness in our industry, this is wonderful recognition of our hard work and commitment to providing our customers with great hospitality.”
The 2018 AHA SA Hotel Industry Awards for Excellence were held on Tuesday at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, with over 750 people within the industry in attendance. AHA SA general manager Ian Horne said the quality of the industry was a benefit to the state of South Australia.
“Congratulations to all the winners in the 2018 Hotel Awards for Excellence. South Australian hotels continue to innovate and produce top-quality venues right across the state, something that hoteliers and their staff should be proud of.
“The flow on effects of these successful hospitality businesses will be felt by their local communities and beyond, through the people they employ, the local businesses and suppliers they use, and the local community groups that they support.”