Australia’s best hotels and restaurants named
Australia’s booming hospitality and accommodation industry was honoured at the Australian Hotels Association National Awards for Excellence on the Gold Coast last week.
The Overall Hotel of the Year (Metropolitan) was won by The Crafers Hotel in South Australia while Overall Hotel of the Year (Regional) went to The Headlands Hotel Austinmer in New South Wales.
Apothecary in Adelaide was crowned the Best Restaurant Metropolitan, while the Best Regional Restaurant went to Frogmore Creek, Cambridge, Tasmania.
Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley in NSW was named Best Deluxe Accommodation, while the Overall Hotel of the Year (Accommodation Division) went to MACq01 Hotel, Hobart, Tasmania.
Curtin Springs in the Northern Territory was recognised for its effort in the Best Tourism Initiative section, while the Best Hotel Accommodation General Division went to the Taylors Lakes Hotel in Victoria.
Chef of the Year was awarded to joint winners – Ashly Hicks from the Garden State Hotel in Melbourne and Nancy Kinchela from Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley (NSW). Hotel Industry Rising Star went to Amelia Benjamin from Hilton Sydney.
AHA National president Scott Leach said the winners were chosen from more than 5000 members nationwide.
“Our staff and venues combine as the heart and soul of our industry,” he said. “One brings our industry to life each and every day while the other forms its ‘bricks and mortar’ backbone – constantly evolving and changing to ensure we stay at the top of our game.
“The hotel industry is the most dynamic in the nation and a week rarely goes by without the launch of new ideas, renovations or complete re-developments at venues right across the country.
“In a time of great change, when every customer is a potential reviewer, our industry continues to set the standard internationally and I congratulate all nominees and winners.”
Northern Territory-based liquor industry icon Michael Burns was welcomed into the AHA National Hall of Fame. “Mick Burns life story reads like an outback fairy tale,” Leach said.
“He is a larger than life figure, who has made his career by taking risks and trusting his gut instincts. He has been at the helm of some of Darwin’s most successful pubs, has been a long time AHA NT executive and almost single-handedly created a multi-million-dollar crocodile farming industry in the top end.
“He continues to set up opportunities for indigenous communities, was at the helm of the Tiwi Island Football Club when it needed him most, and for many years his anonymous charity has been helping those who are doing it tough without fanfare or fuss.”
See the full list of winners here.
Sheridan Randall, 24th September 2018
