South Australian pubs took out the two major overall hotel awards at the 2024 Australian Hotels Association Awards for Excellence, along with several other pubs awards.
The awards ceremony was held on Monday night, 25 November, at The Star Brisbane, with 700 industry guests in attendance.
AHA National President David Canny described the national ceremony as the pub industry’s “very own State of Origin”, while praising all of the finalists.
“Each and every day all the finalists and their teams work hard to provide the best experience for millions of patrons nationwide.
“Whether its food and beverage or staff members who go above and beyond – Aussie hotels are the best in the world and that’s on display here today.
“Congratulations to all finalists, especially the winners, for all you do for the hotel sector and for your communities. You are all winners in my book.”
Third time’s a charm
Two South Australian pubs took out the major Overall Hotel awards, with Hurley Hotel Group’s Arkaba Hotel in Adelaide named as Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan; and Palmer Hospitality Group’s McLaren Vale Hotel crowned as Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional.
Arkaba Hotel was also awarded Best Sporting Entertainment Venue and Best Redeveloped Hotel – General Division. It’s also the third time the Arkaba Hotel has won the Overall award, having won it previously in 1997 and 2001,
“The entire Arkaba team is obviously stoked to have their place acknowledged in this way. This is the third time the Arkaba has been fortunate enough to have won this prestigious award,” stated Peter Hurley, Hurley Hotel Group director.
“It happens for a multiplicity of reasons…it’s superbly located and it’s a stunning mid-century modernist design. We and our design teams have endeavoured to respect the integrity of that design every time the jack hammer comes out.
Hurley praised the current offering, team and renovation of the Arkaba Hotel that led to the award wins.
“The Arkaba also offers a full range of services including creating the opportunity for fun. Accommodation, function and meeting spaces for groups of 6 to 600, giant screens in the dedicated sports bar, wagering, gaming, best in class retail, and genuine value for money food and beverage options. We have pulled together a hard-working team of around 120 people who work together to over deliver for our customer expectation.
“Last year’s one-in-60-year revitalisation project has reminded many of the iconic venue’s golden era.”
SA leading the way
With the McLaren Vale Hotel taking out Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional, it was a clean sweep of the two major pubs awards for South Australia.
Martin Palmer, managing director of Palmer Hospitality Group, owners of McLaren Vale Hotel, was thrilled with the result. He praised everyone involved in making the pub an exemplary one, as well as all of the other finalists.
“The quality of venues entered this year were particularly strong, so it is very special for us to accept this award. We see ourselves as an integral part of the tourism offer in the McLaren Vale region, and for us to represent all that is great in hospitality throughout McLaren Vale and the Fleurieu Peninsula gives us an enormous sense of pride.
“Completing the redevelopment of this 175-year-old pub in late 2022 was a very important milestone. It gave our young team at the hotel a prestigious new venue whilst still acknowledging the history of the property and the region.
“Big thanks to our design team of Mark Folland, Claire Kneebone and Ali Palmer in giving this historic hotel a new lease of life.
“Winning this very important national award certainly gives us confidence moving into 2025 and beyond and we look forward to continue to improve our offer to the McLaren Vale community and the region at large.”
In total, South Australian venues took out 11 awards on the night, including Best Deluxe Pub Accommodation for The Stirling Hotel, and Best Gaming Venue – Metropolitan for Brahma Lodge Hotel.
AHA|SA CEO, Anna Moeller, said, “I am so proud of AHA|SA members who have punched well above their weight to bring home the top honours ahead of our interstate counterparts! They have contributed to making us the best state for hospitality in the country!”
“The National Awards represent the best of the best in our industry each year. Our winners cement us in pole position as best hospitality state in the nation,” stated Moeller.
“I am in awe of the McLaren Vale Hotel and the Arkaba Hotel, bringing home best Overall Hotels of the Year – Regional and Metropolitan respectively.
“South Australia has become the Destination State, which makes the wins last night all the more significant.”
Other major awards
Earlier in the night, Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes was inducted into the Diageo Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame.
The other major winner on the night was Kickon Group, who were named as the Best Hotel Group Operator. The group’s founder Craig Shearer said the award win had been a goal of the group’.
“We were beyond thrilled to be recognised by our industry as the best group operator. This award was a goal we set out to achieve a couple of years ago, and there has been much work done by many people to get here. Our commitment to our people has been, and will continue to be our primary focus, and I believe this is what is helping us raise the bar.”
Kickon Group operates pubs and other venues in Victoria and Queensland, and took out other awards at the ceremony on Monday night, including Best Resturant – Metropolitan for Audrey’s at The Continental Sorrento; and Best Entertainment Venue for Osbourne Hotel in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.
“The Osbourne also picked up best late night venue which we are also very proud of, and it’s awesome to see this venue and the team recognised for their hard work and effort,”stated Shearer.
“The awards night was a lot of fun, and it’s just wonderful to see so many industry legends all celebrating this great community of hospitality.”
The full list of pub winners can be viewed below:
Excellence in Service – General Division: Matthew Connell, Wharf Shed, Geelong, VIC
Front of House Employee of the Year – General Division: Zoe Marstella, Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane, QLD
Chef of the Year – General Division: Scott Mills, Sinclair’s, The Log Cabin, Penrith, NSW
Hotel Industry Rising Star – General Division: Harry K Ripon, American Hotel Echuca, VIC
Outstanding Community Service & Achievement: The Grand Hotel Warrandyte, VIC
Best Tourism Initiative: Sandstone Point Holiday Resort, QLD
Best Bar Presentation & Service – Regional: McLaren Vale Hotel, SA
Best Bar Presentation & Service – Metropolitan: The Prince Consort Hotel, Fortitude Valley, QLD
Draught Beer Quality Award: Beach Hotel, Burnie, TAS
Best Retail Liquor Outlet: Hurley Cellars Panorama, SA
Best Gaming Venue – Metropolitan: Brahma Lodge Hotel, SA
Best Gaming Venue – Regional: Claremont Hotel, TAS
Best Restaurant – Metropolitan: Audreys, The Continental Sorrento, VIC
Best Restaurant – Regional: Furneaux Restaurant
Best Redeveloped Hotel – General Division: Arkaba Hotel, Fullarton, SA
Best Traditional Pub Accommodation: Oscars Hotel & Café Bar, Ballarat, VIC
Best Deluxe Pub Accommodation: Stirling Hotel, Mount Barker, SA
Best Outdoor/Non-Enclosed Facility: Kirra Beach Hotel, QLD
Best Sporting Entertainment Venue: Arkaba Hotel, Fullarton, SA
Best Entertainment Venue: Osbourne Hotel, Fortitude Valley, QLD
All Abilities Hotel – General Division: Toormina Hotel, NSW
Best Family Dining: Lakeside Village Tavern, Raymond Terrace, NSW
Best Wagering Venue: The Lakes Hotel, The Entrance, NSW
Best Marketed Hotel – General Division: Cabana Bar, Sydney, NSW
Best Bistro – Regional: Royal Hotel Drouin, VIC
Best Bistro – Metropolitan: The Duke of Dural, NSW
Best Mid-Range Accommodation: Sandstone Point Holiday Resort, QLD
Best Hotel Group Operator: Kickon Group
Overall Hotel of the Year – Remote: Dundee Beach Tavern, NT
Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional: McLaren Vale Hotel, SA
Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan: Arkaba Hotel, Fullarton, SA