Tonight, the Australian Hotels Association ACT hosted its annual Hospitality & Tourism Awards at the National Arboretum. With 150 nominations across the various categories, the expert independent judges decided which local businesses deserved to take home an award reflecting the best in the business.
“These winners represent the most outstanding product, venues, service and personnel the local hospitality and tourism industry has to offer,” says Australian Hotels Association (ACT Branch) General Manager Anthony Brierley.
Aside from celebrating the winners in each category, Mr Brierley says the event is a celebration of the industry’s resilience through the past 12 months.
“This Gala Dinner and Awards Night is a celebration of this industry’s perseverance and its dogged resilience. Twelve months ago, businesses in our industry were closed and staff were stood down. We survived, and we have bounced back,” he says.
Over 31 categories, from best restaurant to employee excellence in service, below are the individuals and business who have taken home awards tonight.
| Award Category | Winner |
| Employee Excellence in Service | Lachlan Hoyle (Midnight Hotel) |
| Human Resources Talent | Lynda Bailey (Mercure Canberra Belconnen) |
| Housekeeper of the Year | Emma Searle (QT Canberra) |
| Sales & Marketing Talent | Natalie Graham (QT Canberra) |
| Family Friendly Venue | Agostinis |
| Work Health & Safety Venue | Bentspoke Brewing Co |
| Excellence in Innovation, Sustainability & Environmental Practice | Little National Hotel |
| Best Wagering Venue | Page Tavern |
| Best Conference & Functions Venue | Hotel Realm |
| Bartender of the Year | Soumi Tannous (Bar Beirut) |
| Best Late-Night Entertainment Venue | Hopscotch |
| Best Steak | Capitol Bar & Grill |
| Best Sporting Entertainment Venue | The Dock |
| Best Traditional Pub, Inn or Tavern | The Old Canberra Inn |
| Best New or Redeveloped Venue | The Alby |
| Apartment/Suite Hotel of the Year | East Hotel |
| Best Restaurant (Accommodation) | Buvette |
| Best Restaurant (General) | Pomegranate |
| Best Wine List | Rizla |
| Best Draught Beer Quality (Joint Winners) | The Alby, and Bentspoke Brewing Co |
| Chef of the Year | Samuel McCarthy (Walt & Burley) |
| Best Cocktail, Lounge or Small Bar | Bar Beirut |
| Best Burger | Grease Monkey |
| Mid-Range Hotel of the Year | Mercure Canberra Belconnen |
| Superior Hotel of the Year | East Hotel |
| Deluxe Hotel of the Year | Jamala Wildlife Lodge |
| Best Casual Dining Venue (Joint Winners) | Molto, and Amici Wine Bar & Deli |
| Best Pub Eatery | Edgar’s Inn |
| Best Bar (Presentation & Service) | Molly |
| Accommodation Member of the Year | Justin Higgins (Hotel Realm) |
| John Press Award | Jane Collins (The Dock) |
To find out how you can be involved next year visit https://actaha.org.au/
