Records were smashed at this year’s illustrious Accommodation Australia NSW Awards for Excellence as the state’s best properties and operators were celebrated before a crowd of more than 700 guests.
Attended by political leaders including NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, Minister for Roads, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council The Hon. John Graham, MLC, VIP guests, and industry operators, the star-studded event was held at The Fullerton Hotel in Sydney’s CBD on Thursday, 18 July.
Celebrating twelve months since the formation of Accommodation Australia NSW, the event saw a record breaking 354 finalists across 38 categories, including the newly launched Workplace Health and Wellbeing Property of the Year, Best Outdoor Experience (including rooftop bars) and Best Casual Dining Experience Awards.
Accommodation Australia NSW Co-Chair Richard Doyle said the event was a perfect way to celebrate hotels and operators who are every year leading the way in innovation, inspiration, staffing and service.
“It has been twelve months since the creation of Accommodation Australia NSW and what a first year it has been,” he said.
“We have built a new Association with a focus on putting the needs of members first, and we are very proud of everyone here tonight and what they have achieved for both themselves and our industry overall.”
Likewise, Co-Chair Patrick Lonergan said the level of talent in the room was testament to the stellar contribution NSW hotels make to the country’s annual tourism economy.
“Our industry employs more than 400,000 people and generates more than $17 billion each year,” he said.
“Looking at the calibre of talent here tonight, I have no doubt our industry will continue to flourish for years to come.”
Winners on the night included Capella Sydney named winner of the prestigious Metropolitan Deluxe Hotel of the Year and Spicers Sangoma Retreat taking the title of Regional Deluxe Hotel of the Year for the second consecutive year.
In the Superior Hotel of the Year category, Hilton Sydney took top honours for Metropolitan, while Rydges Resort Hunter Valley took the Regional title as well as the inaugural Workplace Health and Wellbeing Property of the Year Award and Best Innovation Project.
In the all-important ‘people awards’, it was Joanna Carruthers of Rydges Sydney Airport taking out Executive of the Year, while Conference and Events Talent of the Year went to Tegan Skyllas of Rydges Sydney Central.
Excellence in food and beverage was also celebrated with Chef of the Year going to Elements of Byron’s Ebony Baker, and Food and Beverage Talent of the Year won by Vinura de Silva of Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort.
Restaurant of the Year (Deluxe Hotels) was awarded to Restaurant Amara at Spicers Sangoma Retreat, while the Mid-range/Superior award went to Glass Brasserie at Hilton Sydney. Best Casual Dining Experience was won by Abode Bistro.Bar at PARKROYAL Darling Harbour.
The Bar at InterContinental Sydney Double Bay was awarded Bar of the Year (Deluxe Hotels), while Jackalberry at Hyatt Regency Sydney won the Mid-Range – Superior category.
Another new award launched this year was Best Outdoor Experience (Including Rooftop Bars). The category was won by Aster at InterContinental Sydney, while Best Health Spa and Wellness Experience was taken out by Crown Spa at Crown Towers Sydney for the third consecutive year and Redeveloped/Refurbished Property of the Year was awarded to Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant & Spa.
Accommodation Australia NSW General Manager Stacey McBride said it was fantastic one year post amalgamation to see the industry come together in such unified fashion.
“The exceptional level of talent we have is what makes the NSW accommodation industry world-class,” she said.
“To see a group of people with such skill, talent, and dedication together under one roof celebrating each other’s accomplishments speaks volumes and I congratulate every finalist and winner on their hard work over the past year.”
For a full list of 2024 NSW Accommodation Award winners visit: www.accommodationawardsnsw.org
