Queensland hotels’ night of nights for 2019 took place on Monday, awarding honours to the year’s top performers at the QHA Awards for Excellence.
Hoteliers and guests from around the State gathered to be recognised for their contributions to Queensland’s tourism Industry, across 44 categories plus selected Hall of Fame awards for consistent winners.
“The Awards celebrate those wonderful businesses throughout the State that breathe life into the ‘Beautiful one day, Perfect the Next!’ slogan each and every day,” offered QHA chief executive Bernie Hogan.
The association head recognised the “never been tougher” competition this year, notably new entrants in the capital and regional areas, as well as a “true icon” of Queensland hotels as Bernie Power took the 2019 Award for Lifetime Achievement.
“Many will remember Bernie as the driving force behind Power Brewing and the establishment of the Broncos,” suggested Hogan. “However, before then and for many years since, Bernie has been a publican and strong supporter of the QHA.”
The prestigious Hotel of the Year Award went to The Glen Hotel in Eight Mile Plains, owned for decades by the Fitzgibbons family, which has grown it from humble beginnings as a small suburban pub into a first-class operation offering accommodation, multiple food outlets, entertainment and a conference centre. Bolstering the top prize, it was also crowned Best Casual Dining.
Another family group taking home another swag of trophies was the Comiskeys, receiving another Best Entertainment Venue for their Eatons Hill Hotel, and Best Outdoor/Non-Enclosed Facility, Best Mid-Range Accommodation, and Chef Of The Year at Sandstone Point Hotel.
Matthew Coorey, proprietor of Sanctuary Cove’s Boardwalk Tavern, took the prestigious individual’s award of Hotelier of the Year, with Hogan praising his tireless support of the Association.
“As a hotelier in one of the country’s tourism hot-spots, Matt constantly works to keep his venue at the very forefront of industry innovation. Most importantly, he actively engages with other members to share in success and share knowledge wherever he can.
“The QHA couldn’t be prouder of tonight’s winners, and all of the members that turned out tonight to celebrate a terrific part of Queensland’s cultural fabric – our tourism industry and the hotels that are at its very heart.”
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
Administration Employee Of The Year: Ashmore Tavern – Kristy Helmers
Best Boutique Accommodation: Spicers Balfour Hotel
Best Boutique Bar: The Terrace at Emporium Hotel
Best Bush Pub: Esk Club Hotel
Best Casual Dining: The Glen Hotel
Best Deluxe Accommodation: Ovolo The Valley
Best Detached Bottleshop: Sense of Taste Portside (Brisbane)
Best Draught Beer: Carriers Arms Hotel (Maryborough)
Best Entertainment Venue: Eatons Hill Hotel
Best Environmental Practice: Riley, A Crystalbrook Collection Resort (Cairns)
Best Gaming Venue: Shamrock Hotel (Mackay)
Best Keno Venue: Railway Hotel (Yeppoon)
Best Marketed Hotel – 100 Employees: Riley, A Crystalbrook Collection Resort (Cairns)
Best Marketed Hotel – 1-99 Employees: The Island Gold Coast
Best Meeting & Events Venue: W Brisbane
Best Mid-Range Accommodation: Sandstone Point Hotel
Best On-Premise Liquor Outlet: Porters Plainland Hotel Bottlemart
Best Outdoor/Non Enclosed Facility: Sandstone Point Hotel
Best Prestige Restaurant: Bacchus Restaurant at Rydges South Bank
Best Pub-Style Accommodation: Halifax Hotel (Halifax)
Best Pubtab Venue: Hope Island Tavern
Best Redeveloped Accommodation Hotel Resort: The Ville Resort-Casino (Townsville)
Best Redeveloped Licensed Premise above $2mil: Porters Plainland Hotel
Best Redeveloped Licensed Premise up to $2mil: Carrollee Hotel (Kingaroy)
Best Restaurant -Accommodation Hotels: Homage Restaurant at Spicers Hidden Vale
Best Restaurant – General Hotels: The Boatshed at Regatta Hotel
Best Suite/Apartment Accommodation: Meriton Suites Southport
Best Superior Accommodation: Pacific Hotel Cairns
Best Themed Bar: The Walrus Club at Regatta Hotel
Best Traditional Hotel Bar: Tap’d at Prince Alfred Hotel Ipswich
Chef Of The Year: Sandstone Point Hotel – Nick Lockyer
Food & Beverage Employee Of The Year: The Westin Brisbane – Mindy Perera
Guest Services Employee Of The Year: Rydges South Bank – Kait Einam
Industry Rising Star Award: Prince Alfred Hotel Ipswich – Ben Potter
Outstanding Achievement In Training: Hilton Brisbane
Outstanding Community Service & Achievement – 100 Employees: Hilton Surfers Paradise
Outstanding Community Service & Achievement – 1-99 Employees: Commercial Hotel Tara
Responsible Service – Alcohol: Mon Komo Hotel (Redcliffe)
Responsible Service – Gaming: Aspley Central Tavern (Brisbane)
Workplace Health & Safety Award: Rydges South Bank
Hotelier of the Year: Matthew Coorey – Boardwalk Tavern (Sanctuary Cove)
Hotel of the Year: The Glen Hotel (Eight Mile Plains)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Bernard Power
Life Member: Tony Condon (Currumbin Creek Hotel)
Hall of Fame Awards: (after winning 3 consecutive Awards in a category)
Best Detached Bottleshop: Mossman Hotel Bottle-O (Mossman)
Best Superior Accommodation: Rydges South Bank Hotel
Outstanding Community Service & Achievement – 100 Employees: Hilton Brisbane