The Queensland Hotels Association 2016 Awards for Excellence drew over 1,000 industry professionals to witness the crowning of the State’s best pubs.
Dozens of Queensland’s best and brightest compared endeavours in competition for 41 Awards, within Brisbane’s Conference and Exhibition Centre last Wednesday night.
“Queensland’s hospitality industry is playing a major role in keeping the state’s economy moving, and this is nowhere more apparent than in the outstanding quality of our pubs, accommodation hotels and the professionals who run them,” boasted QHA chief executive Bernie Hogan.
Amid a big year of achievements, there were a number of first timers and some multiple-prize-winners, but the biggest honours went to veterans, with John Fitzgibbons of Fizty’s Toowoomba taking home Hotelier of the Year, and Booval’s Prince Alfred Hotel snatching Hotel of the Year*.
“The quality of the ’PA’ really stood out,” noted Hogan. “Owners Clive and Maryanne Johnson have done a tremendous job of transforming the venue into a world-class establishment.
“John was honoured for the excellent hotel he and his family have operated in an increasingly competitive Toowoomba market over the past 15 years. John’s efforts to constantly improve, support his community and still devote time to the industry marks him as a fitting winner of this award.”
Stalwarts at any Queensland hotel awards, the Comiskey Group picked up a swag of honours for their two massive Brisbane pubs.
The highly awarded Eatons Hill Hotel and Function Centre this year took out Best On-Premise Liquor Outlet, Best PubTAB Venue and Best Environmental Practice. The younger Sandstone Point Hotel, recent winner of the National prize for Best Overall Hotel – Regional and host of massive NYE concerts, won Best Entertainment Venue and Best Keno Venue.
“We are proud of the new opportunities we are offering the Moreton Bay Region and knowing that our community events and music concerts have been recognised as the best in the state is very exciting,” said Group director, Robert Comiskey.
“Our family and team work very hard, so to get this level of recognition is fantastic. We are looking forward to a big year ahead full of community events and National and International music acts.”
The Comiskey group runs annual surveys with patrons that have purchased tickets to events. The latest research saw 1,000 respondents, and found that 95 per cent of event attendees also shop, stay or dine at surrounding businesses.
*The Prince Alfred Hotel also won the award for “Best Redeveloped Licensed Premises up to $2 Million”.
FULL LIST OF 2016 WINNERS
Best Traditional Hotel Bar – Victoria Hotel
Best Boutique Bar – Cloudland
Best Themed Bar – Pig ‘n’ Whistle Riverside
Best Entertainment Venue – Sandstone Point Hotel
Best Bush Pub – New Royal Hotel Rubyvale
Best Outdoor / Non-Enclosed Facility – The Wickham
Best On-Premise Liquor Outlet – Eatons Hill Hotel & Function Centre
Best Detached Bottleshop – Mossman Hotel, Bottle O Mossman
Responsible Service – Alcohol – The Caxton Hotel
Responsible Service – Gaming – ALH Group
Best Keno Venue – Sandstone Point Hotel
Best Gaming Venue – Shamrock Hotel
Best PubTAB Venue – Eatons Hill Hotel & Function Centre
Best Redeveloped Accommodation Hotel / Resort – Rydges South Bank Hotel
Best Redeveloped Licensed Premises Up To $2 Million – Prince Alfred Hotel
Best Redeveloped Licensed Premises Above $2 Million – Finn McCool’s
Best Environmental Practice – Eatons Hill Hotel & Function Centre
Best Meetings & Events Venue – RACV Royal Pines Resort
Outstanding Achievement in Training – Star Entertainment Group
Workplace Health & Safety Award – RACV Royal Pines Resort
Best Casual Dining – The Kenmore
Best Restaurant – Hotels – Caxton Hotel, Char Grill and Terrace Bar
Best Restaurant – Accommodation Hotels – Jupiters Gold Coast, Garden Kitchen & Bar
Best Prestige Restaurant – The New Inchcolm Hotel, Thomson’s Reserve Restaurant
Best Pub-Style Accommodation – Victoria Hotel
Best Mid-Range Accommodation – Halifax Hotel
Best Superior Accommodation – Rydges South Bank Hotel
Best Boutique Accommodation – Spicers Tamarind Retreat
Best Deluxe Accommodation – Sofitel Brisbane Central
Best Marketed Hotel – 1-99 Employees – Mon Komo Hotel
Best Marketed Hotel – 100+ Employees – Rydges South Bank Hotel
Outstanding Community Service 1-99 Employees – Black Nugget Hotel Motel
Outstanding Community Service 100+ Employees – Hilton Brisbane
Hall of Fame – RACV Royal Pines Resort
Best Environmental Practice – Eatons Hill Hotel & Function Centre
Overall Hotel of the Year – Prince Alfred Hotel, Booval
Hotelier of the Year – John Fitzgibbons, Fitzy’s Toowoomba
Chef of the Year – Peter Iwanczyk, Brisbane Marriott Hotel
Administration Employee of the Year – Jane Forno, Regatta Hotel
Food & Beverage Employee of the Year – Zachary Fletcher, Rydges South Bank Hotel
Guest Services Employee of the Year – Jessie Dungca, Treasury Casino & Hotel