The Walkers Arms Hotel in Walkerville was a standout performer at the Australian Hotels Association National Awards for Excellence, winning two of five awards won by South Australian Hotels. It took home the awards for Best Environmental Practice and Best Outdoor/Non-enclosed facility.

The hotel industry’s night of nights was held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney with 500 industry leaders from around Australia attending, including the Minister for Tourism, the Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP.

Other SA Hotels which took home top national honours in their categories included:

• Port Lincoln Hotel – Best Tourism Initiative
• Cremorne Hotel – Best Bar Presentation & Service (Metropolitan)
• The Highway – Best Retail Liquor Outlet

South Australian hotelier brothers Tony and Guy Matthews from the Matthews Hotel Group were inducted into the AHA’s Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame (the AHA’s highest honour for individuals in the nation), recognised not only for their personal contribution to the South Australian and Australian hotel industry, but that of the Matthews Family over three generations. The Matthews family is involved in hotels such as the Feathers Hotel and the Buckingham Arms, whilst also having a strong presence in the South East of the state with the South Eastern Hotel, the Mount Gambier Hotel and the Park Hotel.

“These awards show that South Australian hotels continue to lead the Australian hotel industry in a range of areas, overcoming top class nominees from every state and territory to take out these awards” said AHA|SA General Manager, Ian Horne.

“We know our hotels are amongst the best in country, and these hotels should be justifiably proud of their achievements.”
“Special congratulations must also be given to Tony and Guy Matthews, and the Matthews Family Hotel Group, who have been contributing to the quality of the South Australian hotel industry over seven decades and three generations.”

The Belair Hotel in Blackwood was a standout performer at the 2010 Australian Hotels Association National Awards for Excellence, winning two of four awards taken out by South Australian hotels.

More than 500 industry leaders from around Australia attended the gala dinner at Sydney’s Westin Hotel to see the Belair Hotel take out the awards for Best Gaming Venue and Best Bistro.

The contenders for the national awards are the winning hotels from the AHA awards in each state and territory.

AHA National CEO Des Crowe said these awards were a fantastic achievement for the hotel, which recently underwent a comprehensive revamp before reopening in May 2009.

“For the Belair to come in and win two major national awards within 18 months of reopening is a fantastic achievement and a sign of the high standards set by South Australia’s hotel industry.

 “Best Bistro and Best Gaming Venue are two of the most hotly contested awards on the AHA program and there are top class nominees to overcome from every state and territory. This is a hotel with a bright future.”

Also amongst the winners were the Hilton Adelaide (Best Marketed Accommodation Hotel) and The Highway Hotel in Plympton (Best Outdoor/Non-enclosed Facility).

“Outdoor beer gardens and al fresco dining have become such an important part of business for many hotels. The outdoor area at The Highway offers comfort and entertainment for patrons as well as being a place to enjoy a drink or meal in fresh air.

“The sales and marketing team at the Hilton Adelaide can be justifiably proud of their efforts in winning a national award ahead of nominees from around the country.

“These four awards which have gone to South Australian hotels indicate that the industry is in good shape.”

The AHA also honoured its retiring National Accommodation President, Patrick Griffin OAM, with induction into its Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame. Mr Griffin has worked in the industry for more than 40 years and has served as President for the past four years.

The major award for Best Overall Hotel (General Division) was taken out by Perth’s Breakwater Hotel, while the Best Overall Hotel (Accommodation Division) was won by the new Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa in the NSW Blue Mountains. Wolgan Valley took out three awards in total, making it the biggest single winner on the night.

It is a condition of entry that all winning submissions in the AHA (SA) Hotel Industry Awards for Excellence are automatically entered into the AHA National Awards for Excellence.

The AHA National Awards for Excellence are presented during the AHA National Convention, which is held on an annual basis, usually in early October.

Recent SA winners at the national awards include:

2008

• Holiday Inn Adelaide - Best Training Initiative
• Edinburgh Hotel & Cellars - Best Retail Outlet
• Arkaba Hotel - Best Sporting Entertainment Venue
• Andrew Cain, Mawson Lakes Hotel - Hotel Industry Rising Star Award
• Port Lincoln Hotel - Best Mid-Range Accommodation

2007

• Lion Hotel - Best Overall Hotel of the Year & Best Restaurant (General Division)
• Hilton Adelaide - Best Restaurant (Accommodation Division) joint winner & Best Marketed Hotel
• Arkaba Hotel - Best Sporting Entertainment Venue
• The Highway - Best Redeveloped Licensed Premises
• Frances Hotel Motel - Best Hotel or Pub Accommodation

2006

• Tap Inn, Kent Town – Best Redeveloped Licensed Premise (up to 50 rooms)
• Robin Hood Hotel, Norwood – Best Bistro
• Edinburgh Hotel & Cellars, Mitcham – Best Retail Outlet
• Hilton Adelaide – Best Training Initiative (joint winner)
• Novotel Barossa Valley Resort – Best Marketed Hotel

2005

• Grange Hotel – Best Bistro (joint winner)
• Hampstead Hotel, Collinswood – Best Retail Outlet
• Hilton Adelaide – Accommodation Division Excellence in Service

2004

• Mount Gambier Hotel – Best Overall Hotel (pub style)
• Ramada Plaza Pier Hotel & Suites, Glenelg – Best Superior Accommodation (joint winner)