3 minute read
BEST OF THE BEST
from Hotel November 2024
by Boylen
A ‘born again’ hotel and two celebrated venues achieving “back-to-back” success were among many highlights for South Australia’s hotel industry.
The Arkaba Hotel won the coveted Best Overall Hotel – General Division (Metropolitan), after undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation, its first major development in decades. It’s a fitting reward for the hotel’s 150 staff who provide excellent standards of service across accommodation, entertainment, bottle shop and function facilities.
In an amazing showing, the Arkaba also won awards for:
Best Redeveloped Hotel - General Division Metropolitan
Best Entertainment Venue
Best Outdoor or Non-Enclosed Facility - Metropolitan
Best Sporting Entertainment Venue
Community Service & Support
“The Arkaba was a world class development by superb architects back in 1965,” said Hurley Hotel Grouop’s Managing Director, Peter Hurley.
“There is an event-based positive vibe in SA currently. That gave us the confidence to give the superbly located Arkaba a once in 60-year major revitalisation.
“Fortunately, it also gives our bank the confidence to fund investment in our industry.
“We have a great team of managers, a marketing team, admin team , next generation family stars, recruiting and coaching a highly motivated frontline crew.
“Collectively they impressed the judging panel sufficiently to give us six awards, including the prestigious Overall Best Hotel.”
“The Arkaba, McLaren Vale Hotel and Mount Lofty House have achieved the pinnacle of excellence,” said AHA|SA CEO, Anna Moeller.
“The Arkaba exemplifies what hard-working and entrepreneurial South Australian families can do. The award is a stunning tribute to their unparalleled commitment to excellence.
“I am in awe of the McLaren Vale Hotel and Mount Lofty House. The ability of their teams to win top awards two years in a row is an astonishing feat and richly deserved.
“But ultimately, all the winners and nominees tonight reflect the incredible quality of South Australian hotels, which deliver world-class experiences across the entire state.”
• Best Sporting Entertainment Venue
• Community Service & Support
Mount Lofty House won the Best Overall Hotel – Accommodation, repeating a rare back-to-back, taking this award in 2023 as well. Judges highlighted the excellence “in all facets of their offering including accommodation, dining, bar, functions, customer service and tourism to name a few. The Sequoia Lodge development has added the final element to the overall experience of this iconic venue.”
Mount Lofty House was also named:
Best Luxury Hotel Accommodation
Best Bar Presentation & Experience - Accommodation Division
BACK - TO - BACK WINNERS – BEST COUNTRY AND BEST ACCOMMODATION
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. Judges also noted the hotel’s engagement with local wineries, saying it “places a sophisticated focus on attracting tourism into the region, considering businesses beyond its own”.
The McLaren Vale Hotel also won the categories for:
Bistro Casual Dining – Country
Bar Presentation & Experience – Country
