Australia's leading accommodation hotels and outstanding employees were recognised at the Tourism Accommodation Australia 2013 National Awards for Excellence in Canberra.

 

Held in the nation's capital for the first time to celebrate Canberra's Centenary, more than 450 hotel industry leaders, hoteliers, special guests, diplomats and parliamentarians attended the annual Awards event at Hotel Realm to celebrate all aspects of Australia's vibrant hotel and hospitality sector.

Top honours this year went to the following venues:

 

•     Park Hyatt Sydney (Sydney NSW) - Overall Hotel of the Year

•     Hotel Realm (ACT) - Best Meeting and Events Venue

•     Parmelia Hilton Perth (WA) - Outstanding Achievement in Training.

Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) Managing Director, Rodger Powell, said the prestigious Awards hailed accommodation hotels that demonstrated outstanding services, accommodation, entertainment, food and beverage.

 

"The 162 national finalists were winners of their respective AHA State and Territory awards level. Winning a national industry award is an outstanding achievement - and a tribute to the hard work and dedication of these hotels," Mr Powell said.

 

TAA also recognised the outstanding contributions made to the hotel industry by hard working employees including:

 

•     2013 Hotel Industry Rising Star Award - Timothy Hunt at Park Hyatt Sydney.

•     Dixie Addison-Rolfe from the Diamant Hotel won Front of House Employee of the Year.

•     Maria Macri-Nosari at the Sydney Harbour Marriott - Employee Excellence in Service Award

 

The full list of the 2013 AHA/TAA National Award winners:

Best Restaurant - Accommodation Division 

Altitude Restaurant at Shangri-La Hotel Sydney

 

Best Redeveloped Hotel - Accommodation Division

SKYCITY Darwin

 

Best Marketed Hotel - Accommodation Division   

Hotel Realm, Canberra

 

Best Pub-Style Accommodation 

Victoria Hotel, Melbourne

 

Best Pub-Style Accommodation 

Daly Waters Historic Pub

 

Best Mid-Range Accommodation 

Holiday Inn Sydney Airport

 

Best Resort-Style Accommodation    

Saffire Freycinet

 

Best Suite/Apartment Hotel   

East Hotel

 

Best Superior Accommodation  

The Blackman - Art Series Hotels

 

Best Deluxe Accommodation    

Park Hyatt Sydney

 

Chef of the Year 

Bo Sorensen at Shangri-La Hotel Sydney

 

Front of House Employee of the Year

Dixie Addison-Rolfe at the Diamant Hotel

 

Employee Excellence in Service

Maria Macri-Nosari at the Sydney Harbour Marriott

 

Outstanding Achievement in Training      

Parmelia Hilton Perth

 

Best Meeting and Events Venue

Hotel Realm Canberra

 

Hotel Industry Rising Star   

Timothy Hunt at Park Hyatt Sydney

 

Best Environmental & Energy Efficiency Practice      

Lakes Resort Hotel

 

Overall Hotel of the Year - Regional

Park Avenue Hotel Motel, Rockhampton

 

Overall Hotel of the Year - Accommodation Division

Park Hyatt Sydney

 

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Peter Hook

peter@hookcommunications.com.au

0407462213