This week the Adelaide Entertainment Centre played host to the 2024 AHA|SA Hotel Industry Awards for Excellence, with nearly 1,000 in attendance at the gala event.
SA Premier, Hon Peter Malinauskas MP, told the audience he was delighted to help celebrate the winners.
The Premier acknowledged the importance of these achievements as South Australia rises to prominence as a destination state, pointing out that hotels and pubs are still the backbone of many communities.
“It was a tightly run race in so many categories, speaking volumes to the quality of our state’s hospitality industry,” he said.
The Best Overall Hotel – General Division (Metropolitan) was won by the Arkaba Hotel, wowing the judges as evidenced in their wins of six other awards.
The Arkaba recently underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation, its first major development since it was labelled a world class development by superb architects back in 1965, Peter Hurley told PubTIC.
Hurley said the “current event-based positive vibe in SA” gave them the confidence to give the Arkaba its major revitalisation.
“Fortunately, it also gives our bank the confidence to fund investment in our industry,” he continued, praising all Arkaba staff and crew for their efforts.
Arkaba also won:
- Best Redeveloped Hotel – General Division Metropolitan
- Best Entertainment Venue
- Best Outdoor or Non-Enclosed Facility – Metropolitan
- Best Sporting Entertainment Venue
- Community Service & Support
- Back-To-Back Winners – Best Country and Best Accommodation
Best Overall Hotel – Country was again awarded to the McLaren Vale Hotel, who also won the title last year.
The 75-year-old hotel had also been renovated, also winning the pub ‘Bistro Casual Dining – Country’ and ‘Bar Presentation & Experience – Country’ awards.
Judges were particularly impressed with how the pub considered other local businesses in its plan to attract tourism to the area.
“We are immensely proud to be named the Best Overall Hotel for the second consecutive year! Additionally, winning awards for Best Casual Dining and Best Bar Presentation and Experience is just the cherry on top!
“Such accolades serve as a fantastic recognition of the dedication and passion we invest in the work we do. We consider ourselves the heart of McLaren Vale, and we view this award as a community achievement, as we couldn’t have reached this milestone without our incredible staff and loyal customers,” McLaren Vale Hotel venue manager Beau Monley told PubTIC.
The Best Overall Hotel – Accommodation was awarded to Mount Lofty House, which also took the title in 2023. It was also awarded the ‘Best Luxury Hotel Accommodation’ as well as the ‘Best Bar Presentation & Experience – Accommodation Division’.
AHA|SA CEO, Anna Moeller said these three venues have “achieved the pinnacle of excellence”.
“But ultimately, all the winners and nominees tonight reflect the incredible quality of South Australian hotels, which deliver world-class experiences across the entire state,” she continued.
The Premier was certain that AHA|SA members would shine at the AHA National Awards, set for 25 November.
“Hotels large and small have been the beneficiary of the government’s push to generate visitors and growth for the state through major events never before contemplated. These events could not have succeeded to the extent they have without a vibrant and viable hotel industry that punches well above its weight.
“2024 has been a massive year for our hotels industry and 2025 is gearing up to be even bigger. That is why it’s so important that both government and the broader community continue their support for an industry that is leading by example in so many ways and putting us on the world stage,” stated the Premier.
Winners for all categories were:
- Overall Hotel – Accommodation Division: Mount Lofty House
- Overall Hotel – General Division Country: McLaren Vale Hotel
- Overall Hotel – General Division Metropolitan: Arkaba Hotel
- Bar Presentation & Experience – Accommodation Division: Mount Lofty House
- Bar Presentation & Experience – Country: McLaren Vale Hotel
- Bar Presentation & Experience – Metropolitan (Joint Winners): Stirling Hotel
- Bar Presentation & Experience – Metropolitan (Joint Winners): The Highway
- Bistro Casual Dining – Country: McLaren Vale Hotel
- Bistro Casual Dining – Inner Metropolitan: Cremorne Hotel
- Bistro Casual Dining – Outer Metropolitan: Stanley Bridge Tavern
- Chef of the Year: Hotel Renmark – Hugh Hazelwood
- Community Service & Support (Joint Winners): Arkaba Hotel
- Community Service & Support (Joint Winners): The Highway
- Deluxe Hotel Accommodation: Delgattie Estate
- Deluxe Pub Accommodation: Stirling Hotel
- Draught Beer Quality Award (Joint Winners): Malt Shovel Taphouse
- Draught Beer Quality Award (Joint Winners): Uraidla Hotel
- Employee Excellence in Service – Accommodation Division: Mount Lofty House – Christopher Speck
- Employee Excellence in Service – General Division: Uraidla Hotel – Heath Johansen
- Entertainment Venue: Arkaba Hotel
- Family Dining: Flagstaff Hotel
- Gaming Venue – Metropolitan: Brahma Lodge Hotel
- Gaming Venue – Country: Middleton Tavern
- Hotel Industry Rising Star: The Highway – Declan Hewett
- Innovation, Sustainability & Energy Efficiency Practice: Uraidla Hotel
- Live Music Venue: Crown and Anchor Hotel
- Luxury Hotel Accommodation: Mount Lofty House
- Marketing & Promotion – Accommodation Division: Hotel Alba Adelaide
- Marketing & Promotion – General Division: Macs Hotel, Mount Gambier
- Meeting & Events Venue – Accommodation & Specialist Division: Adelaide Oval
- Meeting & Events Venue – General Division: Marion Hotel
- Mid-Range Hotel Accommodation: Oaks Glenelg Plaza Pier Suites
- Outdoor or Non-Enclosed Facility – Country: Port Lincoln Hotel
- Outdoor or Non-Enclosed Facility – Metropolitan: Arkaba Hotel
- Redeveloped Hotel – Accommodation Division: Hotel Alba Adelaide
- Redeveloped Hotel – General Division Country: South Australian Hotel, Mount Gambier
- Redeveloped Hotel – General Division Metropolitan: Arkaba Hotel
- Restaurant Accommodation Division: Lakes Resort Hotel
- Restaurant General Division – Country: Hotel Renmark
- Restaurant General Division – Metropolitan: 2KW Bar and Restaurant
- Retail Liquor Outlet: Hurley Cellars Panorama
- Sporting Entertainment Venue: Arkaba Hotel
- Superior Hotel Accommodation: Oval Hotel
- TAB Licensed Venue: Grand Junction Tavern
- WT Spurr AO Award – Tourism & Regional Promotion: Port Lincoln Hotel
