More than 570 members of the Tasmanian accommodation and hospitality industries gathered at Wrest Point Hotel Casino in Hobart last night for an industry gala dinner to recognise and reward the state’s top achievers.
The evening saw the Tasmanian Hospitality Association hand out nearly 50 awards including the headline accolade of the Premier’s Award for Contribution to the Community going to Hamlet Café. Additionally, Life Membership for decades of service to the industry went to Don McQuestin – long-time owner and manager of the Kings Meadows Hotel and other properties in Launceston.
Freycinet was a big winner on the night, claiming Best Deluxe Hotel Accommodation for Saffire Freycinet and Accommodation Venue of the Year – Regional. Nearby Freycinet Lodge took out Best New Tourism Initiative, while the property’s Hazards Bar and Lounge walked out with Best Bar Presentation and Service.
Best Mid-Range Accommodation went to Cradle Mountain Hotel, while Salamanca Inn won Best Apartment Suite Hotel. Maylands Lodge in North Hobart was crowned Accommodation Venue of the Year – Metro and Best Superior Hotel Accommodation.
Other winners on the night included the Ibis Styles Hobart, which took home the Veolia Best Environment and Recycling Practice Award.
Tourism Accommodation Association National CEO, Michael Johnson, said the evening’s winners were renowned equally on the mainland as on the island state.
“Hotels like the multi-award-winning luxury lodge, Saffire Freycinet in Coles Bay and Maryland Lodge in Hobart are innovative, world-class hotels which are drawing tourists into Tasmania from across the country and beyond.”
Winners of the 2019 Tourism Accommodation Australia (Tas) Awards are:
Premier’s Award for Contribution to the Community: Hamlet Café
Bertie Tucceri Award: Angelo Fraraccio
Life Membership: Don McQuestin
Recognition of 2018 National Awards: Formby Hotel; Frogmore Creek and MACq01 Hotel
Great Customer Experience Award: Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm
Apprentice of the Year: Outhay Souliyosack
Outstanding Achievement in Training and Workforce Development: Vantage Group
Best Marketed Establishment: Hadley’s Orient Hotel
Outstanding Community Service and Achievement: Tall Timbers Tasmania
Veolia Best Environmental and Recycling Practice: ibis Styles Hotel
Best Outdoor/Non-enclosed Facility: Shoreline Hotel
Best Bottle Shop: Black Buffalo
Best RSL, Sporting or Community Club: The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania
Best Sports Bar: The Beltana Hotel
Best Meeting and Events Venue: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel
Best Bar Presentation and Service: Hazards Bar & Lounge – Freycinet Lodge
Draught Beer Quality Award: Beach Hotel Burnie
Best Music Venue: Watergarden Bar – Country Club Tasmania
Best Gaming Venue: River Arms Hotel
Best Wagering Initiative: Shoreline Hotel
Best Guided Tour Experience: Oyster Bay Tours – Freycinet Marine Farm
Best New Tourism Initiative: Freycinet Lodge
Best Specialty Bar: Evolve Spirit Bar
Best Café: Harbour Lights Café
Best Breakfast Venue: Islington Hotel
Best Steak Restaurant: Black Cow Bistro
Best Seafood Restaurant: Mures Upper Deck
Best Italian Restaurant: Novaro’s Restaurant
Best Asian Restaurant: Asian Gourmet on the Pier
Best Indian Restaurant: Annapurna Salamanca
Best Specialty Restaurant: Furneaux Restaurant
Best Bistro Dining: Shoreline Hotel
Best Restaurant in a Hotel or Accommodation Venue: The Point – Wrest Point Hotel
Best Stand Alone Restaurant: Driftwood Restaurant
Best Fine Dining: The Point – Wrest Point Hotel
Best Accessible Accommodation: MACq01 Hotel
Best Pub-Style Accommodation: Lighthouse Hotel
Best Mid-Range Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Hotel
Best Apartment Suite Hotel: Salamanca Inn
Best Superior Hotel Accommodation: Maylands Lodge
Best Deluxe Hotel Accommodation: Saffire Freycinet
Restaurant of the Year – Regional: Furneaux Restaurant
Restaurant of the Year – Metro: The Point – Wrest Point Hotel
Accommodation Venue of the Year – Regional: Saffire Freycinet
Accommodation Venue of the Year – Metro: Maylands Lodge
Hotel/Pub Tavern of the Year- Regional: Tall Timbers Tasmania
Hotel/Pub Tavern of the Year – Metro: Shoreline Hotel