The very best of Australia revealed
NSW is hot property, and we know this because international data shows NSW remains Australia’s undisputed number one destination.
According to the latest National Visitor Survey, not only did NSW beat all other Aussie states, but it welcomed more than 27.4 million domestic visitors who stayed almost 90 million nights and contributed close to $16 billion to the State’s visitor economy.
In this spirit, it doesn’t come as a surprise that NSW led the charge at the AHA National Awards for Excellence 2015, held on Monday, where NSW tallied up the biggest trophy count.
Over 450 people attended Jupiter’s Casino on the Gold Coast for the industry’s premier event of the year with NSW accommodation venues taking out six categories, including best restaurant, best suite/apartment hotel and chef of the year.
But NSW wasn’t the only sparkling star on the night, with the west coast giving the state a run for its money.
Western Australian Hospitality was recognised for its world class venues and food and beverage offering with five venues being recognised for titles such as best accommodation hotel and best resort-style accommodation.
“We keep telling people that Western Australia’s tourism and hospitality offering is amongst the best in Australia,” AHA(WA) CEO, Bradley Woods, said.
“These awards are testament to that and there is certainly more to come for the foreseeable future.”
Check out the entire list of Aussie superstars here:
Best Tourism Initiative | Jamala Wildlife Lodge | Weston , ACT | |
Best Gaming Venue – Metropolitan | Royal Oak Hotel | North Adelaide, SA | |
Best Bistro – Metropolitan | The Moseley Bar & Kitchen | Glenelg, SA | |
Best Restaurant – Metropolitan | The Stirling Hotel | Stirling, SA | |
Best Bar Presentation & Service – Metropolitan | Matisse Beach Club | Scarborough, WA | |
Best Restaurant – Accommodation Division | Lilianfels Resort & Spa, Darley’s | Katoomba, NSW | |
Best Redeveloped Hotel – Accommodation Division | RACV Royal Pines Resort | Benowa, QLD | |
Best Marketed Hotel – Accommodation Division | Grand Hyatt Melbourne | Melbourne, VIC | |
Best Pub-Style Accommodation | Flinders Hotel | Flinders, VIC | |
Best Mid-Range Accommodation | Quality Hotel Gateway | Devonport, TAS | |
Best Resort-Style Accommodation | Crown Metropol Perth | Burswood, WA | |
Best Suite/Apartment Hotel | Fraser Suites Sydney | Sydney, NSW | |
Best Deluxe Accommodation | Saffire Freycinet | Coles Bay, TAS | |
Bartender of the Year | The Classroom (Andrew Bennett) | North Perth, WA | |
Chef of the Year | Lilianfels Resort & Spa, Darley’s (Lee Kwicz) | Katoomba, NSW | |
The Star (Chase Kojima) | Pyrmont, NSW | ||
Front of House Employee of the Year | Crown Towers Melbourne (Tom Stewart) | Southbank, VIC | |
Employee Excellence in Service | Mon Komo Hotel (Amanda Melville) | Redcliffe, QLD | |
Rydges Melbourne (Joseph Ancora) | Melbourne, VIC | ||
Outstanding Achievement in Training | Spirit Hotels | Upper Mount Gravatt, QLD | |
Best Meeting and Events Venue | Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley | Lovedale, NSW | |
Best Superior Accommodation | Four Points by Sheraton Brisbane | Brisbane, QLD | |
Best Retail Liquor Outlet | Dan Murphy’s The Gap | Bulimba, QLD | |
Best Bistro – Regional | Huon Hill | Wodonga, VIC | |
Best Restaurant – Regional | Frogmore Creek | Cambridge, TAS | |
Best Bar Presentation & Service – Regional | Port Lincoln Hotel | Port Lincoln, SA | |
Best Gaming Venue – Regional | Country Club Tasmania | Launceston, TAS | |
Best TAB Licensed Venue | The Bridge Inn Hotel | Mernda, NSW | |
Best Keno Venue | Mildura Gateway Tavern | Mildura, VIC | |
Best Entertainment Venue | ivy | Sydney, NSW | |
Best Outdoor/Non Enclosed Area | The Gully Public House & Garden | Tea Tree Gully, SA | |
Best Sporting Entertainment Venue | Palmerston Sports Club | Palmerston, NT | |
Tall Timbers | Smithton, TAS | ||
Best Marketed Hotel – General Division | Monsoons | Darwin, NT | |
Best Redeveloped Hotel – General Division | Cottesloe Beach Hotel | Cottesloe, WA | |
Hotel Industry Rising Star | Ivy (Andrew El-Bayeh) | Sydney, NSW | |
The Westin Sydney (Ana Pereira) | Sydney, NSW | ||
Best Environmental & Energy Efficiency Practice | Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley | Wolgan Valley, NSW | |
Outstanding Community Service & Achievement | Vine Inn, Barossa | Nuriootpa, SA | |
Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional | Grand View Hotel | Bowen, QLD | |
Overall Hotel of the Year – Accommodation Division | Berkeley River Lodge | Kimberley, WA | |
Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan | The Oaks | Neutral Bay, NSW | |
Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame | Bevan Douglas | — |
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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