Added on 25th January 2008

2007 AHA National Hotel Awards for Excellence

OVERALL GENERAL HOTEL OF THE YEAR

(sponsored by Lion Nathan)

THE LION HOTEL (North Adelaide, SA) The Lion Hotel is a landmark Adelaide pub that has been rewarded for its overall presentation, in particular, its fine dining. The hotel sits comfortably among the best hotel restaurants in Australia and its front bar is the place to be if you fancy a drink or two. All of this is complemented by high quality and personalised service. The Lion Hotel is a worthy winner of this prestigious award.

OVERALL ACCOMMODATION HOTEL OF THE YEAR

(sponsored by Tabcorp/Sky Channel)

HILTON MELBOURNE AIRPORT (VIC) The Hilton Melbourne Airport is an extremely well run hotel. The staff are friendly and professional, the accommodation rooms are well equipped and maintained, the recreational facilities are excellent and the food and beverage experience is superb.

HOTELIER OF THE YEAR

(sponsored by Johnnie Walker)

KARL-WERNER DIEFENBACH, HYATT HOTEL CANBERRA (Yarralumla, ACT) Karl-Werner Diefenbach is passionate about the hospitality industry and is a wonderful example of an individual who has enhanced the reputation of one of Australia’s iconic hotels, as well as the industry as a whole. Even though the Hyatt Hotel Canberra is the only five-star hotel in the national capital, Karl-Werner has refused to let its standards drop below some of the world’s leading five-star accommodation facilities. This honour is a credit to himself, his family, the Hyatt Hotel Canberra and the wider accommodation and tourism industries.

OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE & ACHIEVEMENT

(sponsored by Foster’s Australia)

CONRAD JUPITERS (Broadbeach Island, QLD)/GRAND HOTEL MORNINGTON (VIC) – joint winners
Conrad Jupiters displays an outstanding commitment to charity organisations and communities. It also played a leading role in the Cyclone Larry Appeal. The Grand Hotel Mornington is a joint winner of this award because of the consistent, ongoing commitment the hotel displays to local community groups and charities all year round while endeavouring to promote the hotel industry.

BEST TRAINING INITIATIVE

(sponsored by Foster’s Australia)

CROWNE PLAZA HUNTER VALLEY (Lovedale, NSW) Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley provides training and opportunities to all levels of its personnel,
demonstrating an outstanding commitment to the future of our industry.

BEST ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE

(sponsored by Staging Connections)

HOLIDAY INN ON FLINDERS (Melbourne, VIC) The Holiday Inn on Flinders is setting the pace for hotels that are striving to be more environmentally friendly. The hotel has installed water-saving devices, it works with its supplier chain to reduce wasteful packaging, it has conserved energy use from lighting and it’s lowered carbon emissions through saving water, gas and electricity. A very green hotel!

BEST BISTRO BRASSERIE

(sponsored by Crown Commercial)

FEDERAL HOTEL BELLINGEN (NSW)/QUEENS TAVERN (Highgate, WA) – joint winners
The Federal Hotel Bellingen, on the NSW mid-north coast, boasts a funky new refurbished bistro with a tasty, value-for-money menu which features quality local produce. The Queens Tavern, which is located in the inner-city Perth suburb of Highgate, has a tastefully themed brasserie with excellent food and beverages. The menu is innovative and the staff are friendly and professional.

BEST CASUAL FAMILY DINING

(sponsored by Coca-Cola Amatil)

PINEAPPLE HOTEL (Kangaroo Point, QLD) Located in suburban Brisbane, the Pineapple Hotel steakhouse is an unbelievably busy venue that serves excellent, high quality meats. A family-friendly establishment with smiling staff.

BEST RESTAURANT – GENERAL DIVISION

(sponsored by Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia)

THE LION HOTEL (North Adelaide, SA) The Lion Hotel is a wonderful food and beverage journey. An innovative menu delivering stunning, fresh, quality food and an exquisite wine list.

BEST RESTAURANT – ACCOMMODATION DIVISION

(sponsored by Diageo)

“MARCO POLO” AT CONRAD TREASURY BRISBANE (QLD)/“THE GRANGE” AT HILTON ADELAIDE (SA) – joint winners Marco Polo, within Conrad Treasury Brisbane, is a truly grand dining experience. A fantastic environment with outstanding food, wine and service. The Grange restaurant at Hilton Adelaide is formal dining at its best. Exceptional food, a superb wine list and professional staff in a serene environment.

BEST RETAIL OUTLET

(sponsored by Diageo)

HARRIGAN’S IRISH PUB (Pokolbin, NSW) The Harrigan’s Irish Pub bottleshop features a vast selection of local Hunter Valley and interstate wines. The themed bottleshop boasts knowledgeable staff and first class promotions and displays.

BEST BAR PRESENTATION & SERVICE

(sponsored by Foster’s Australia)

SHANGRI-LA HOTEL SYDNEY (NSW)/TRANSPORT HOTEL (Melbourne, VIC) – joint winners
The incredible view of Sydney Harbour and delicious cocktail menu make Blu Horizon Bar within the Shangri-La Hotel Sydney a fabulous experience. The Transport Hotel’s bar presentation and service is of the highest standard with a superlative choice of beverages. The venue caters for all walks of life and displays impressive cutting-edge architecture.

BEST SPORTING ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

(sponsored by Fox Sports/Austar)

ARKABA HOTEL (Fullarton, SA) The Arkaba Hotel in suburban Adelaide is a smart venue with versatility. The Arkaba presents a fantastic selection of original sporting artefacts and promotes a large array of sports.

BEST ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

(sponsored by APRA – Australasian Performing Right Association)

MEAN FIDDLER HOTEL (Rouse Hill, NSW) Located in the outer suburbs of Sydney, the Mean Fiddler Hotel is an exceptional venue that
promotes local and overseas artists in a superb setting, supported by high-tech sound and lighting systems.

BEST GAMING VENUE

(sponsored by IGT)

COUNTRY CLUB TASMANIA (Prospect, TAS)/OLD ENGLAND HOTEL (Heidelberg, VIC) – joint winners Country Club Tasmania offers a superior gaming product within a relaxed atmosphere. Exceptional service and product ensure a fantastic experience for patrons who visit this suburban Launceston venue. The Old England Hotel in metropolitan Melbourne contains a large, fresh gaming room with friendly, professional staff and original marketing initiatives in a comfortable atmosphere. Both winning venues are committed to promoting responsible gambling.

BEST REDEVELOPED LICENSED PREMISE

(sponsored by Tabcorp/Sky Channel)

THE HIGHWAY (Plympton, SA) The Highway, which is found in suburban Adelaide about 8km from the city, has been transformed by state-of-the-art design, including an alfresco courtyard as the main feature. It also has great bars, gaming facilities and a sleek bistro. The Highway’s makeover has attracted vast numbers of new customers wanting to sample a quality hospitality environment.

BEST REDEVELOPED ACCOMMODATION HOTEL

(sponsored by J Boag & Son)

HILTON BRISBANE (QLD) The multi-million dollar renovations of Hilton Brisbane have proven to be an unqualified success. Modern guest accommodation, a new dining experience and state-of-the-art conference rooms have helped this hotel boost room-rates and market penetration.

BEST MARKETED HOTEL

(sponsored by HOSTPLUS)

HILTON ADELAIDE (SA) Hilton Adelaide undertakes extensive research and planning to devise its creative marketing strategy. It places a high emphasis on innovative in-house marketing, promotional literature and advertising. Its promotional messages have helped boost business.

BEST HOTEL OR PUB OPERATION

(sponsored by Lion Nathan)

MEAN FIDDLER HOTEL (Rouse Hill, NSW) The Mean Fiddler Hotel features many quality dining and entertainment options, including an Irish Bar, alfresco area, coffee shop and a fantastic retail outlet.

BEST HOTEL OR PUB ACCOMMODATION – budget-2.5 star

(sponsored by Lion Nathan)

FRANCES HOTEL MOTEL (SA) The Frances Hotel Motel, which is found about 100m from the SA-Victoria border in the south east of SA, features large, clean accommodation rooms, a separate dining room for guests, a fabulous rustic bar and great country hospitality.

BEST MID-RANGE ACCOMMODATION – 3-3.5 star

(sponsored by Coopers)

TALL TIMBERS TASMANIA (Smithton, TAS) Tall Timbers Tasmania offers a great choice of accommodation for guests. The friendly staff are well trained and offer a relaxed, feel good experience in a great environment. Tall Timbers is at Smithton,
near the north-western tip of Tasmania.

BEST SUITE APARTMENT HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

(sponsored by Cadbury Schweppes)

QUALITY SUITES CLIFTON ON NORTHBOURNE (Canberra, ACT) The Suite Apartments at Quality Suites Clifton on Northbourne are only 12 months old. They are tastefully decorated, well presented, tidy rooms. The facilities and staff ensure a high level of professionalism at this venue.

BEST RESORT STYLE ACCOMMODATION

(sponsored by American Express)

CABLE BEACH CLUB RESORT (Broome, WA) Cable Beach Club Resort is a well maintained resort with friendly, customer-focused staff. The variety of food and beverage outlets is a big asset and the recreational facilities are in superb condition.

BEST BOUTIQUE ACCOMMODATION HOTEL – 100 ROOMS OR LESS

(sponsored by Aon)

LILIANFELS BLUE MOUNTAINS RESORT & SPA (Katoomba, NSW) Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa is hospitality at its best. Personalised service, attention to detail, fantastic food and beverages, and excellent housekeeping. A real home away from home.

BEST SUPERIOR ACCOMMODATION – 4-4.5 STAR

(sponsored by HOSTPLUS)

CLARION HOTEL MACKAY MARINA (QLD)/SKYCITY DARWIN (NT) – joint winners The Clarion Hotel Mackay Marina is a great experience all round. A wonderful location, clean, spacious rooms, a fantastic restaurant and alfresco dining plus friendly, professional staff. The other joint winner is an oasis in a tropical paradise. SKYCITY Darwin provides outstanding service from friendly and professional staff. The substantial reinvestment in all areas of the hotel from the gorgeous guest rooms to the fantastic restaurants ensures guests have a wonderful experience.

BEST DELUXE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION – 5 STAR

(sponsored by HOSTPLUS)

THE WESTIN MELBOURNE (VIC) The Westin Melbourne is an exceptional hotel with a dedication to service perfection. The accommodation rooms are in perfect condition and the food and beverage offerings are outstanding.