South Australian hotels win big at AHA National Awards

An incredible new record was set as SA hotels achieved outstanding success at the AHA National Awards for Excellence.

AHA|SA members brought home 11 awards in a range of categories, including Overall Hotel of the Year Metropolitan – for a historic third time for the same hotel, as well as Overall Hotel of the Year Regional.

• Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan: Arkaba Hotel

• Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional: McLaren Vale Hotel

• Front of House Employee of the Year – Accommodation Division: Christopher Speck, Mount Lofty House

• Best Bar Presentation & Service – Regional: McLaren Vale Hotel

• Best Retail Liquor Outlet: Hurley Cellars Panorama

• Best Gaming Venue – Metropolitan: Brahma Lodge Hotel

• Best Restaurant – Accommodation Deluxe: TUNKI, Lakes Resort Hotel

• Best Redeveloped Hotel – General Division: Arkaba Hotel

• Best Redeveloped Hotel – Accommodation Division: Hotel Alba Adelaide

• Best Deluxe Pub Accommodation: The Stirling Hotel

• Best Sporting Entertainment Venue: Arkaba Hotel

“You hear of a handful of iconic footballers referred to as triple Brownlow Medallists. The Arkaba is the only triple Overall Best Hotel award winner in Australia, which is an incredible feat,” said Peter Hurley, MD of the Hurley Hotel Group which owns the Arkaba.

“It reflects that we have refreshed it several times over the last 30-odd years. And this time we did it it with genuine sympathy to the sensational architecture of the people who designed it 60 years ago.

“We've endeavoured to respect what they did and it happens to have worked.”

The former State and National President of the AHA spoke about the vibrant nature of the hotel industry in South Australia.

“It is partly a consequence of a government that willingly consults with - and has empathy withour industry.

“It gives confidence to investors, it gives confidence to the bankers that support us in those endeavours, and that's why we've been able to justify the capital expenditure at the Arkaba.”

Mclaren Vale Hotel

Martin Palmer said national recognition of the McLaren Vale Hotel is “significant on a number of levels” and had “put a spring in the step of staff".

“It’s significant for the venue itself, for the redevelopment that we did and also for the region,” he said.

“We've taken the pub and really tried to immerse it into the McLaren Vale region.

“For the business and the people that work in it, the award is recognition of all of the hard work that has been put in.”

In the South Australian awards, the McLaren Vale Hotel was named Best Overall Hotel – Country for the second year in a row.The 1850’s hotel has been beautifully renovated to provide first-class facilities across all areas of the venue, including dining, bar and a stunning outdoor space.

So, has the phone been ringing more as a result?

“I think you always get a bit of a sugar hit because you get all of that coverage, which helps a lot. The key is for us to continue doing what we do well and that level of interest will flow on.”

Best In The Land

“I am so proud of AHA|SA members who have punched well above their weight to bring home the top honours ahead of our interstate counterparts,” said AHA|SA CEO, Anna Moeller.

“They have contributed to making us the best state for hospitality in the country!

“The National Awards represent the best of the best in our industry each year. Our winners cement us in pole position as best hospitality state in the nation.

“I am in awe of the McLaren Vale Hotel and the Arkaba Hotel, bringing home best Overall Hotels of the Year –Regional and Metropolitan respectively.

“South Australia has become the Destination State, which makes the wins last night all the more significant.”