During a ceremony held at Jupiter's Casino in Broadbeach, the 2015 champions of the annual Australian Hotels Association (AHA) National Awards for Excellence were crowned, celebrating a fine year for the hospitality industry across Australia.
Categories celebrating dining all through to Best Pub-Style Accommodation and Best Marketed Hotel helped explore exceptional performances in all aspects of the fascinating range found across the country's hotel and resorts industry. There were even some co-winners when it came down to the title of Chef of the Year, with the honour shared by both Chase Kojima of Sokyo at The Star in Sydney (and a new ramen pop-up) and Lee Kwicz of Darley's at Lilianfels Resort & Spa in Katoomba. Darley's also won in the Best Restaurant - Accommodation Division category.
A full list of winners is as follows:
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
Andrew Bennett - The Classroom, North Perth, WA
Chef of the Year
Lee Kwicz - Lilianfels Resort & Spa, Darley’s, Katoomba, NSW
Chase Kojima - Sokyo, The Star, Pyrmont, NSW
Front of House Employee of the Year
Tom Stewart - Crown Towers Melbourne, Southbank, VIC
Employee Excellence in Service
Amanda Melville - Mon Komo Hotel, Redcliffe, QLD
Joseph Ancora - Rydges Melbourne - 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