Australia’s leading licensed venues, accommodation hotels and outstanding employees were applauded at the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) 2013 National Awards for Excellence in Canberra on Wednesday 2 October.
All AHA|SA Hotel Awards Winners from July qualified as finalists for the AHA National Awards which were held in the nation’s capital for the first time to celebrate Canberra’s Centenary. More than 450 hotel industry leaders, hoteliers, special guests, diplomats and parliamentarians attended the annual Awards event at Hotel Realm to celebrate all aspects of Australia’s vibrant hotel and hospitality sector.
Top honours this year went to the following South Australian venues in eight categories:
The Lion Hotel, North Adelaide
Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan & Best Restaurant -Metropolitan
The Lakes Resort Hotel
Best Environmental Practise & Energy Efficiency
Rising Sun Hotel, Auburn
Best Bistro – Country
The Highway Hotel
Best Gaming Venue – Metropolitan
The Arkaba Hotel
Best Sporting Entertainment Venue
Cellars & Patisserie at the Stirling Hotel
Best Retail Liquor Outlet
The AHA also recognised the contributions made to the hotel industry by hard working employees including joint winner 2013 Hotel Industry Rising Star Award – Justin Twartz from the Morphett Arms Hotel in Adelaide.
“We were thrilled enough to win the national Best Restaurant Award again, never expecting to be honored with Best Overall Hotel for the second time” said Tim Gregg (Director, The Lion Hotel).
“It was a great night for the SA hotel industry. We exceeded on a national stage, highlighting our significant part in attracting more visitors to our state. We are hopeful that the redeveloped Adelaide Oval and The Lion Hotel will become familiar to a lot more interstate visitors next year”
AHA National Chief Executive Officer Des Crowe said the prestigious Awards hailed hotels and restaurants that demonstrated outstanding services, accommodation, entertainment, food and beverage.
“The 162 national finalists were winners of their respective AHA State and Territory awards level. Winning a national AHA award is an outstanding achievement – and a tribute to the hard work and dedication of these hotels and restaurants,” Mr Crowe said.
