NSW venues dominate National Awards for Excellence
NSW venues dominate the favourites list in this year’s Australian Hotel Association National Awards for Excellence.
The 2024 winners include Sydney’s Capella which took out the key category of Best Deluxe Accommodation. Capella, with its stone-walled spa and Gatsby-coded brasserie, was also a finalist in the Overall Best Hotel category.
Bells at Kilcare was among the Best Redeveloped Hotels, and Austinmer’s Headland Hotel was a finalist in the Best Deluxe Pub Accommodation category.
In Newcastle, The Beach Hotel was ranked among the eight best regional hotels in the country.
Other NSW hotels earning accolades include Leura’s Leisure Inn Spires, a finalist in the Best Suite/Apartment Hotel category, and Sydney’s Little National Hotel, which was shortlisted for Best Mid-Range Accommodation. Earlier this year, the boutique hotel, located in Sydney’s CBD, was named the 21st best hotel in Australia by Tripadvisor—making it a must-visit for your next Sydney staycation.
Sydney’s hotel bars and restaurants also received top honours. Hilton Sydney’s Glass brasserie was recognised in the Best Mid-Range/Superior Hotel Restaurant category, while three standout bars—Hyatt Regency’s Jackalberry, InterContinental’s Aster, and The Bar at InterContinental Double Bay—were ranked among the nation’s Best Hotel Bars.
The full list of 2024 winners:
- Excellence in Service - General Division: Matthew Connell, Wharf Shed, Geelong, VIC
- Excellence in Service - Accommodation Division: Justine Dorrell, Elements of Byron, NSW
- Excellence in Service - Accommodation Division: Joanna Curruthers, Rydges Sydney Airport, NSW
- Excellence in Service - Accommodation Division: Tegan Skyllas, Rydges Sydney Central, NSW
- Front of House Employee of the Year - General Division: Zoe Marstella, Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane, QLD
- Front of House Employee of the Year- Accommodation Division: Jonathan Fambart, Capella Sydney, NSW
- Front of House Employee of the Year- Accommodation Division: Christopher Speck, Mount Lofty House, Crafers, SA
- Chef of the Year - General Division: Scott Mills, Sinclair’s, The Log Cabin, Penrith, NSW
- Chef of the Year - Accommodation Division: Ebony Baker, Elements of Byron, NSW
- Chef of the Year - Accommodation Division: Punit Fernandes, PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne, VIC
- Hotel Industry Rising Star - General Division: Harry K Ripon, American Hotel Echuca, VIC
- Hotel Industry Rising Star - Accommodation Division: Freya Downie, Crown Hotels Melbourne, VIC
- Outstanding Achievement in Training: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, NSW
- Outstanding Community Service & Achievement: The Grand Hotel Warrandyte, VIC
- Excellence in Innovation, Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Practice: Green Island Resort, QLD
- Excellence in Innovation, Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Practice: Little National Hotel, Barton, ACT
- Best Tourism Initiative: Tasmanian Wild Seafood Adventures, TAS
- Best Tourism Initiative: Sandstone Point Holiday Resort, QLD
- Best Bar Presentation & Service – Regional: McLaren Vale Hotel, SA
- Best Bar Presentation & Service – Metropolitan: The Prince Consort Hotel, Fortitude Valley, QLD
- Draught Beer Quality Award: Beach Hotel, Burnie, TAS
- Best Retail Liquor Outlet: Hurley Cellars Panorama, SA
- Best Gaming Venue – Metropolitan: Brahma Lodge Hotel, SA
- Best Gaming Venue – Regional: Claremont Hotel, TAS
- Best Restaurant – Metropolitan: Audreys, The Continental Sorrento, VIC
- Best Restaurant – Regional: Furneaux Restaurant
- Best Restaurant - Accomm Mid-Range to Superior: Aloft Perth, WA
- Best Restaurant - Accomm Deluxe: TUNKI, Lakes Resort Hotel, West SA
- Best Redeveloped Hotel - General Division: Arkaba Hotel, Fullarton, SA
- Best Redeveloped Hotel - Accommodation Division: Hotel Alba Adelaide, SA
- Best Traditional Pub Accommodation: Oscars Hotel & Café Bar, Ballarat, VIC
- Best Deluxe Pub Accommodation: Stirling Hotel, Mount Barker, SA
- Best Meeting and Events Venue: The Star, Sydney, NSW
- Best Outdoor/Non-Enclosed Facility: Kirra Beach Hotel, QLD
- Best Sporting Entertainment Venue: Arkaba Hotel, Fullarton, SA
- Best Entertainment Venue: Osbourne Hotel, Fortitude Valley, QLD
- All Abilities Hotel - General Division: Toormina Hotel, NSW
- All Abilities Hotel - Accommodation Division: Dorsett Melbourne, VIC
- Best Family Dining: Lakeside Village Tavern, Raymond Terrace, NSW
- Best Wagering Venue: The Lakes Hotel, The Entrance, NSW
- Best Marketed Hotel - General Division: Cabana Bar, Sydney, NSW
- Best Marketed Hotel - Accommodation Division: Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street, VIC
- Best Bistro – Regional: Royal Hotel Drouin, VIC
- Best Bistro – Metropolitan: The Duke of Dural, NSW
- Best Mid-Range Accommodation: Sandstone Point Holiday Resort, QLD
- Best Superior Accommodation: Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer, VIC
- Best Suite/Apartment Hotel: The Langham Gold Coast, QLD
- Best Lifestyle/Resort Style Accommodation: Jackalope Hotels, Merricks North, VIC
- Best Hotel Bar - Accommodation Division: Mary Mary, The Tasman, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart, TAS
- Best Deluxe Accommodation: Capella Sydney, NSW
- Best Luxury Accommodation: Jamala Wildlife Lodge, Canberra, ACT
- Best Luxury Accommodation: Saffire Freycinet, Coles Bay, TAS
- Best Hotel Group Operator: Kickon Group
- Overall Hotel of the Year – Remote: Dundee Beach Tavern, NT
- Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional: McLaren Vale Hotel, SA
- Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan: Arkaba Hotel, Fullarton, SA
- Overall Hotel of the Year - Accommodation Division: The Tasman, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart, TAS
Jonathan Jackson, 28th November 2024
