The AHA|SA hosted the 2021 Hotel Industry Awards for Excellence on Tuesday night at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, with two hotels tying for the crown of best in South Australia.
SA’s 2021 Awards took place 26 October, with more than 750 guests and industry professionals in attendance.
Taking the prize for SA’s Best Overall Hotel this year were both the Bridgeport Hotel in Murray Bridge and the Marion Hotel.
Overlooking the Murray River, around 70 kilometres east of Adelaide, the Bridgeport Hotel has been owned for 25 years by Graham Hobbs and Ian Tregoning. After 11 years of planning and construction, they have realised their vision with the opening of their $45 million re-development, described by the judges as “a true masterpiece”.
Bridgeport offers 100 stylish accommodation rooms, quality dining, a bustling sports bar, and extensive meeting and events facilities.
It was also acknowledged for the creation of a ground-breaking jobs program for the long-term unemployed in the region.
Also winning top gong, for the second year in a row, was the Hurley Hotel Group’s Marion Hotel, which completed a $20 million transformation in September 2019.
Gaining acclaim for Best Marketing & Promotion – General Division was the newly-renovated Peninsula Hotel in Taperoo, in Adelaide’s north, which also found two judges’ commendations, for Bistro Casual Dining – Outer Metropolitan, and Redeveloped Hotel – Metropolitan.
This year the AHA|SA introduced a new category, Adaption & Innovation, recognising venues that have displayed innovation, and adapted their business to cater for the challenges faced during trading restrictions. There were three joint winners for the inaugural title.
The Crown Inn at Kingston changed their model quickly to suit the community, finding an impressive turnover despite trading limitations. The Gumeracha Hotel created its own home delivery service, named ‘GuberEats’. The Playford answered the call to become a medi-hotel, demonstrating “remarkable” commitment to the comfort, mental health and appetites of their patrons.
Association GM Ian Horne stressed the customary high bar, even through continued challenging times.
“The incredible standards in food and beverage, service and experience set by all of our winners this year is a testament to the absolute resilience and innovation of the hotel industry.
“As we celebrate 150 years of the Australian Hotels Association (SA) branch, we are proud to be representing this incredible industry, and in turn, the 26,000 people it employs.”
Full list of winners at the 2021 AHA|SA Hotel Industry Awards for Excellence
Draught Beer Quality – Malt Shovel Taphouse
Mid-Range Hotel Accommodation – Atura Adelaide Airport
Boutique/Superior Hotel Accommodation – Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets
Deluxe Hotel Accommodation – Eos by SkyCity
Bistro Casual Dining – Country – Dalrymple Hotel, Stansbury
Judges’ Commendation: The Stockwell Hotel
Bistro Casual Dining – Inner Metropolitan – Maylands Hotel
Judges’ Commendation: The Lion Hotel
Bistro Casual Dining – Outer Metropolitan – Stirling Hotel
Judges’ Commendation: The Peninsula Hotel
Restaurant – Accommodation Division – Oval Hotel – Five Regions
Restaurant – General Division Metropolitan – 2KW
Restaurant – General Division Country – Watervale Hotel
Bar Presentation & Experience – Country – McLaren Vale Hotel
Bar Presentation & Experience – Metropolitan – Mayfair Hotel – Hennessy Rooftop Bar
Judges’ Commendation: Mr Jones at The Gully
Outdoor or Non-enclosed Facility – 2KW
Sporting Entertainment Venue – Warradale Hotel
Community Service and Support – Berri Hotel
Marketing & Promotion – Peninsula Hotel
Tourism & Regional Promotion – Port Lincoln Hotel
Environmental & Energy Efficiency Practice – Watervale Hotel
Judges’ Commendation: The Uraidla Hotel
Gaming Venue – Country – Tanunda Hotel
Gaming Venue – Metropolitan – Marion Hotel
TAB Licensed Venue – Morphett Arms Hotel
Meeting & Events Venue – Accommodation Division – Mount Lofty House
Meeting & Events Venue – General Division – Marion Hotel
Judges’ Commendation: The Lion Hotel
Retail Venue – Arkaba Hotel and East End Cellars – JOINT WINNERS
Redeveloped Hotel – Country – Bridgeport Hotel
Judges’ Commendation: The Stockwell Hotel
Redeveloped Hotel – Metropolitan – Uraidla Hotel
Judges’ Commendation: The Peninsula
Staff Development & Training – RD Jones Group
Judges’ Commendation: The Bridgeport Hotel
Chef of the Year – Anthony Giardina – Arkaba Hotel
Employee Excellence in Service – Accommodation Division – Chris Speck – Mount Lofty House
Employee Excellence in Service – General Division – Heath Johansen – Uraidla Hotel
Hotel Industry Rising Star – Holley Smith – Port Lincoln Hotel
Best Overall Hotel – JOINT WINNERS: Bridgeport Hotel and Marion Hotel