Venues and hospitality professionals of South Australia were recently celebrated at the Australian Hotels Association South Australia (AHA|SA) Hotel Industry Awards for Excellence, before a sell-out Gala Dinner of 1,000 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
The finalists and guests were addressed by State Premier the Hon. Peter Malinauskas MP, who attended the evening.
On top of the list was the Arkaba Hotel, winning Best Overall Hotel – Metropolitan for the second year running. Following last year’s win, the hotel went on to secure the national title, Best Pub in Australia.
In 2023, the Arkaba Hotel had undergone a $12 million renovation, and across its accommodation, entertainment, dining, function and retail operations employs over 150 staff.
Hurley Hotels’ flagship Arkaba also took home three other wins this year.
The Community-owned Loxton Hotel (feature image) won Best Overall Hotel – Country, while Mount Lofty House was awarded Best Overall Hotel – Accommodation Division for the third consecutive year.
Duxton Pubs chef Brendan Boothroyd was awarded Chef of the Year for “transforming South Australia’s pub dining scene”, while Duxton’s Chantel Behenna and McLaren Vale Hotel’s Miranda Armstrong were jointly awarded the Hotel Industry Rising Stars award.
AHA|SA CEO, Anna Moeller was proud of all finalists.
“From the bar tops to the rooftops and from the bedrooms to the beer gardens, SA’s pubs and hotels are in a class of their own,” she said.
“Hotels are the heart of our communities – the original social network – and tonight we’ve put the best of the best on a pedestal.”
Following this event, winners will head to Queensland on 17 November for the AHA National Awards.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
BEST OVERALL HOTEL – GENERAL DIVISION METROPOLITAN: ARKABA HOTEL
BEST OVERALL HOTEL – GENERAL DIVISION COUNTRY: LOXTON HOTEL
BEST OVERALL HOTEL – ACCOMMODATION DIVISION: MOUNT LOFTY HOUSE
THE WT SPURR AO AWARD FOR TOURISM & REGIONAL PROMOTION: Port Lincoln Hotel
DELUXE PUB ACCOMMODATION: STIRLING HOTEL
APARTMENT/SUITE ACCOMMODATION: PAR FIVE SHACKS
MID-RANGE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION: RYDGES SOUTH PARK ADELAIDE
SUPERIOR HOTEL ACCOMMODATION: OVAL HOTEL
DELUXE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION: ADELAIDE MARRIOTT HOTEL
LUXURY HOTEL ACCOMMODATION: SEQUOIA LODGE AT MOFTY HOUSE
BAR PRESENTATION & EXPERIENCE – ACCOMMODATION DIVISION: HOTEL INDIGO ADELAIDE MARKETS
BAR PRESENTATION & EXPERIENCE – COUNTRY: LOXTON HOTEL
BAR PRESENTATION & EXPERIENCE – METROPOLITAN: STIRLING HOTEL
RETAIL LIQUOR OUTLET: PANORAMA HURLEY CELLARS. Judge’s commendation: Stirling Hotel
OUTDOOR OR NON-ENCLOSED FACILITY – COUNTRY: NARACOORTE HOTEL MOTEL. Judge’s commendation: The Loxton Hotel
OUTDOOR OR NON-ENCLOSED FACILITY – METROPOLITAN: BRIDGEWATER INN. Judge’s commendation: The Arkaba Hotel
FAMILY DINING: FLAGSTAFF HOTEL
BISTRO CASUAL DINING COUNTRY: SEVENHILL HOTEL
BISTRO CASUAL DINING – INNER METROPOLITAN: CREMORNE HOTEL
BISTRO CASUAL DINING – OUTER METROPOLITAN: MARION HOTEL. Judge’s commendation: The Crafers Hotel
RESTAURANT ACCOMMODATION DIVISION: MOUNT LOFTY HOUSE & ESTATE
RESTAURANT – GENERAL DIVISION COUNTRY: PENOBSCOT RESTAURANT AT THE WATERVALE HOTEL
RESTAURANT – GENERAL DIVISION METROPOLITAN Sponsored by SAMUEL SMITH & SON: 2KW BAR AND RESTAURANT
MEETING & EVENTS VENUE – SPECIALIST DIVISION: ADELAIDE OVAL
MEETING & EVENTS VENUE – ACCOMMODATION DIVISION: EOS BY SKYCITY
MEETING & EVENTS VENUE – GENERAL DIVISION: ARKABA HOTEL
CHEF OF THE YEAR: BRENDAN BOOTHROYD – DUXTON PUBS
EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE: EMILY WILLIAMS – ADELAIDE OVAL
HOTEL INDUSTRY RISING STAR: CHANTEL BEHENNA – DUXTON PUBS & MIRANDA ARMSTRONG – MCLAREN VALE HOTEL
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN TRAINING: ADELAIDE OVAL
COMMUNITY SERVICE & SUPPORT: VINE INN BAROSSA. Judge’s commendation: The Arkaba Hotel and Crowne Plaza Mawson Lakes
TAB LICENSED VENUE: CREMORNE HOTEL
SPORTING ENTERTAINMENT VENUE: ARKABA HOTEL
ENTERTAINMENT VENUE: ADELAIDE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE – SPECIALIST DIVISION & ARKABA HOTEL – GENERAL DIVISION
LIVE MUSIC VENUE: THE GOV
MARKETING & PROMOTION: THE HIGHWAY HOTEL
GAMING VENUE – COUNTRY: SWANPORT HOTEL
GAMING VENUE – METROPOLITAN: MANSFIELD PARK HOTEL. Judge’s commendation: Morphett Arms Hotel
REDEVELOPED HOTEL – ACCOMMODATION DIVISION: THE CHANCELLOR ON CURRIE
REDEVELOPED HOTEL – GENERAL DIVISION COUNTRY: MIDDLETON TAVERN
REDEVELOPED HOTEL – GENERAL DIVISION METROPOLITAN: PAYNEHAM TAVERN
INNOVATION, SUSTAINABILITY & ENERGY EFFICIENCY PRACTICE: WATERVALE HOTEL
