Highlight of the hospitality calendar, the National Australian Hotels Association Awards for Excellence took place in Brisbane Monday night and there was no shortage of success on show.
Around 700 VIPs and industry guests gathered in the afternoon at The Star for an epic event of 57 awards, hosted by Australian TV personality Tim Campbell and backed up by party band the Rogue Traders.
Dominating the honours roll, South Australian pubs took home a total of 11 awards, including both Regional and Metropolitan Hotel of the Year.
“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!” beamed AHA|SA CEO, Anna Moeller.
“They have contributed to making us the best state for hospitality in the country!
“South Australia has become the Destination State, which makes the wins all the more significant.”
Every finalist in the multiple categories had themselves won their category at the state level awards during the year.
Tasmania claimed a major with Overall Hotel of the Year – Accommodation going to The Tasman, and the Northern Territory make a showing at the Dundee Beach Tavern, taking Overall Hotel of the Year – Remote.
The Lakes Hotel at The Entrance claimed what was reportedly the Central Coast’s first win at the national awards, taking the gong for Best TAB/Wagering Venue. This follows a complete refurbishment of the Harris & Narvo Hotels venue, in 2022, and it attributes its success to its booming NRL tipping competition, state-of-the-art facilities, and winning the category back-to-back at the state level.
“This award reflects our commitment to delivering the ultimate experience for sports fans and punters,” offers licensee Zane Tredway.
“It’s not just about the games, it’s about creating a place where people can come together, share the thrill of sport, and enjoy great company.”
Group principles Peter and Jane Harris and Gary and Kerry Narvo were inducted into the Hall of Fame at the AHA NSW Awards earlier this year.
“The national Awards for Excellence is the hotel sector’s very own state of origin,” pronounced AHA National President David Canny.
“It’s the top venues of each state going head-to-head in a winner takes all contest … the chance to be named ‘best of the best’.”
The major prize of Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional was presented to McLaren Vale Hotel, which took that state title also in both 2023 and 2024.
But finding all the limelight, the Hurley’s Arkaba Hotel in Adelaide snapped up Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan, marking the third time the celebrated pub has taken the prestigious award, backing up its claim in both 1997 and 2001.
The Arkaba unveiled a multi-million-dollar renovation earlier in the year, marking its first major development in decades, bringing a new lounge, restaurant space, Sportys Bar, and a refurbished Top of the Ark.
Beyond The Best, it also snatched Best Redeveloped Hotel – General Division, and Best Sporting Entertainment Venue, and Hurley Hotel Group also took Best Retail Liquor Outlet with Hurley Cellars Panorama.
Owner-director Peter Hurley said the Arkaba team is “obviously stoked” about the acknowledgement and offers that the success is a combination of the pub’s full range of services and a hard-working team of around 120 people.
“It happens for a multiplicity of reasons,” he reflects. “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 jackhammer comes out.”
Another highlight was the induction of industry trailblazer Justin Hemmes into the prestigious Diageo Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame, after a tribute by AHA NSW President Scott Leach.
And the hotly contested Best Hotel Group Operator award went to Victoria’s expansive and innovative Kickon Group.
“The National AHA awards has been on our list of goals for a few years and we are so proud to have been recognised amongst others on what was an amazing evening celebrating the best the industry has to offer,” Kickon frontman Craig Shearer told PubTIC.
“Huge thanks to our dedicated team who have worked so hard to make Kickon what it is today.”
The full list of 2024 winners:
Excellence in Service – General Division: Matthew Connell, Wharf Shed, Geelong, VIC
Excellence in Service – Accommodation Division: Justine Dorrell, Elements of Byron, NSW
Excellence in Service – Accommodation Division: Joanna Curruthers, Rydges Sydney Airport, NSW
Excellence in Service – Accommodation Division: Tegan Skyllas, Rydges Sydney Central, NSW
Front of House Employee of the Year – General Division: Zoe Marstella, Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane, QLD
Front of House Employee of the Year- Accommodation Division: Jonathan Fambart, Capella Sydney, NSW
Front of House Employee of the Year- Accommodation Division: Christopher Speck, Mount Lofty House, Crafers, SA
Chef of the Year – General Division: Scott Mills, Sinclair’s, The Log Cabin, Penrith, NSW
Chef of the Year – Accommodation Division: Ebony Baker, Elements of Byron, NSW
Chef of the Year – Accommodation Division: Punit Fernandes, PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne, VIC
Hotel Industry Rising Star – General Division: Harry K Ripon, American Hotel Echuca, VIC
Hotel Industry Rising Star – Accommodation Division: Freya Downie, Crown Hotels Melbourne, VIC
Outstanding Achievement in Training: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, NSW
Outstanding Community Service & Achievement: The Grand Hotel Warrandyte, VIC
Excellence in Innovation, Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Practice: Green Island Resort, QLD
Excellence in Innovation, Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Practice: Little National Hotel, Barton, ACT
Best Tourism Initiative: Tasmanian Wild Seafood Adventures, TAS
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 Restaurant – Accomm Mid-Range to Superior: Aloft Perth, WA
Best Restaurant – Accomm Deluxe: TUNKI, Lakes Resort Hotel, West SA
Best Redeveloped Hotel – General Division: Arkaba Hotel, Fullarton, SA
Best Redeveloped Hotel – Accommodation Division: Hotel Alba Adelaide, SA
Best Traditional Pub Accommodation: Oscars Hotel & Café Bar, Ballarat, VIC
Best Deluxe Pub Accommodation: Stirling Hotel, Mount Barker, SA
Best Meeting and Events Venue: The Star, Sydney, NSW
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
All Abilities Hotel – Accommodation Division: Dorsett Melbourne, VIC
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 Marketed Hotel – Accommodation Division: Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street, VIC
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 Superior Accommodation: Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer, VIC
Best Suite/Apartment Hotel: The Langham Gold Coast, QLD
Best Lifestyle/Resort Style Accommodation: Jackalope Hotels, Merricks North, VIC
Best Hotel Bar – Accommodation Division: Mary Mary, The Tasman, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart, TAS
Best Deluxe Accommodation: Capella Sydney, NSW
Best Luxury Accommodation: Jamala Wildlife Lodge, Canberra, ACT
Best Luxury Accommodation: Saffire Freycinet, Coles Bay, TAS
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
Overall Hotel of the Year – Accommodation Division: The Tasman, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart, TAS
