South Australia’s best venues honoured at Excellence awards

The 2020 AHA/SA Hotel Industry Awards for Excellence delivered 35 prizes for outstanding service across the state of South Australia.

The awards were held on Tuesday night and honoured those who did it tough during COVID-19 lockdowns.

Judges honoured several hotel groups with induction into the AHA|SA Live Music Hall of Fame.

Included in the honours were The Fahey Hotel Group, Hurley Hotel Group, RD Jones Group, The Gov and the Tonkin family.

As reported by InDaily, all were acknowledged for their “multi-generational family commitment to the well-being of live music gigs, the employment and engagement of musicians and technicians, and their support for innovation and entertainment in SA hotels.”

The hotel that won the most prestigious award of the night was the 1960s chic hotel Marion Hotel, which was named the Best Overall Hotel in South Australia.

The Hurley Hotel Group owned Marion underwent a $20 million transformation in 2019, which saw it take out Best Outdoor or Non-Enclosed Facility, Best Gaming Venue – Metropolitan, and Best Redeveloped Hotel – Metropolitan.

Marion Hotel employee Jessica Bellwood was also recognised, taking home the Employee Excellence in Service – General Division award.

The Sailmaster Tavern in North Haven, won the title of Best Bar Presentation & Experience – Metropolitan. It won for its multiple spectacular view over the marina.

CBD-based East End Cellars was awarded the best Bistro Casual Dining – Inner Metropolitan.

Mount Lofty House in the Adelaide Hills won Best Deluxe Hotel Accommodation as well as Best Restaurant – Accommodation Division for the iconic Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant.

The Clare Valley region’s Sevenhill Hotel won Best Bistro Casual Dining – Country – noty for the first time.

The recently renovated Watervale Hotel nabbed three awards: Best Restaurant – General Division Country, Best Tourism & Regional Promotion, and Best Environmental & Energy Efficiency Practice.

The awards were held at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre where AHA|SA General Manager Ian Horne congratulated the winners in front of a 750 strong crowd.

State finalists will now be entered into the national awards to be held on 13 September in Hobart.

“Every year the AHA|SA Awards night is an important event for our industry, as we celebrate the exceptionally high standard of hotels in South Australia. But this year our Awards for Excellence is even more meaningful after such a tumultuous 2020 for the industry,” Horne said.

“Tonight we acknowledged and celebrated an industry that is resilient and innovative, strong and courageous.

“We thank the community and the people of SA for supporting our great industry throughout 2020, and in turn the 26,000 people it employs.”

2020 Winners

Irit Jackson, 10^th February 2021