Over 1,500 guests gathered to celebrate the finest in Queensland Hotels at the Queensland Hotels Association (QHA) State Awards for Excellence recently.
This year’s awards were presented by QHA President Richard Deery along with many other leading industry heavyweights at the Brisbane Exhibition Centre, hosted by Sofie Formica and Pat Welsh.
Entertainment was headlined by the 8 Tenors.
Top winners included the recently revamped Bli Bli Hotel capturing the Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan award, and the Exchange Hotel Kilcoy named as winners of Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional. Overall Hotel of the Year – Accommodation was awarded to QT Gold Coast.
Association stalwart and owner of Wellington Point Hotel, Scott Hogan, was named Hotelier of the Year for contributions to both industry and community.
The QHA also presented its highest honour of Life Membership to the Landsborough Hotel’s Terry Morrow.
Deery spoke of the importance of Queensland hotels as a real-world place of connection.
“These finalists prove nothing compares to the atmosphere, the feeling of belonging and the sheer joy of being out in a lively pub full of good people, good food and great drinks,” he said.
“Our industry and its hard-working people have never been more appreciated by the communities we serve, and we all should be proud of that – my congratulations to all finalists, particularly the winners.”
Full list of 2024 winners
Hall of Fame – Best Entertainment Venue: Sandstone Point Hotel (Bribie Island)
Hall of Fame – Responsible Service Gaming: The Prince Consort Hotel (Fortitude Valley)
Best Bistro – Metropolitan: Bli Bli Hotel (Sunshine Coast)
Best Bistro – Regional: Exchange Hotel Kilcoy
Best Hotel Bar – Accommodation Division: Iris Rooftop, Hotel X (Fortitude Valley)
Best Hotel Bar – General Division – Metropolitan: The Prince Consort Hotel (Fortitude Valley)
Best Hotel Bar – General Division – Regional: Blue Mountain Hotel (Harlaxton)
Best Outdoor/Non-Enclosed Facility: Kirra Beach Hotel (Gold Coast)
Best Sporting Entertainment Venue: Burleigh Town Hotel (Gold Coast)
Best TAB Licenced Venue: Bli Bli Hotel (Sunshine Coast)
Best Redeveloped Hotel – Accommodation Division: The Brook Hotel (Mitchelton)
Best Redeveloped Hotel – General Division: Kirra Beach Hotel (Gold Coast)
Front of House Employee of the Year- Accommodation Division: Stacey Leong, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa (Gold Coast)
Front of House Employee of the Year- General Division: Zoe Marstella, Howard Smith Wharves (Brisbane)
Employee Excellence in Service – Accommodation Division: Christoper Spielmann, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa (Gold Coast)
Employee Excellence in Service – General Division: Dhan Tamang, Watermark Townsville
Hotel Industry Rising Star: Jimmy Barker, Emporium Hotel South Bank
Best Hotel or Pub Style Accommodation: Grand Old Crow Hotel (Crows Nest)
Best Suite/Apartment Hotel: The Langham, Gold Coast
Best Mid-Range Accommodation: Sandstone Point Holiday Resort
Best Superior Accommodation: Crystalbrook Vincent (Brisbane)
Best Deluxe Accommodation: The Langham, Gold Coast
Best Marketed Hotel – General Division: The Full Moon Hotel (Sandgate)
Best Marketed Hotel – Accommodation Division: W Brisbane
Best Entertainment Venue: Lefty’s Music Hall (Petrie Terrace)
Best Late-Night Entertainment Venue: Osbourne Hotel (Fortitude Valley)
Best Family Dining: The Doonan Sunshine Coast
Best Restaurant – Accommodation Division: Yamagen, QT Gold Coast
Best Restaurant – General Division – Metropolitan: Deery’s Restaurant, Story Bridge Hotel (Kangaroo Point)
Best Restaurant – General Division – Regional: Homage, Spicers Hidden Vale (Grandchester)
Chef of the Year: Daniel King, QT Gold Coast
Best Retail Liquor Outlet: Harry Brown, Eatons Hill Hotel
Best Detached Bottleshop: The Full Moon Hotel – Bottlemart Boondall Sue’s Corner
Best Draught Beer: Finn McCool’s Irish Bar Surfers Paradise
Best Environmental & Energy Efficiency Practise: Green Island Resort
Best Gaming Venue – Metropolitan: Browns Plains Hotel
Best Gaming Venue – Regional: The Sun Hotel (Townsville)
Best Meeting and Events Venue: QT Gold Coast
Best Tourism Initiative: Sandstone Point Holiday Resort
Keno Outstanding Community Service & Achievement – Accommodation Division: Hotel X (Fortitude Valley)
Keno Outstanding Community Service & Achievement – General Division: Hotel Richards (Mitchell)
Responsible Service – Alcohol: The Brook Hotel (Mitchelton)
Responsible Service – Gaming: The Shafston Hotel (East Brisbane)
Outstanding Achievement in Training: Kickon Group
Best Hotel Group Operator: Hallmark Hospitality
Overall Hotel of the Year – Accommodation: QT Gold Coast
Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional: Exchange Hotel Kilcoy
Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan: Bli Bli Hotel (Sunshine Coast)
Hotelier of the Year: Scott Hogan, Wellington Point Hotel