The Lion Hotel in North Adelaide has taken out top honours in South Australia’s hotels award in tough year when the industry says it is being run on “pride and passion”.
The Lion won best Overall Hotel at the Australian Hotels Association SA awards last night at the Entertainment Centre. It also scooped four other category awards, including Best Restaurant – General Division, which it won for the tenth time since 1999, and (joint winner) Best Outdoor/Non-Enclosed Facility.
AHA SA general manager Ian Horne congratulated owners Tim Gregg and Andrew Svencis for creating a hotel that the local industry could use as a “premium benchmark”.
“The Lion’s continued excellence in food, exceptional customer service, and constant upgrading to its bar and now its outdoor area has seen it set itself apart from the rest,” Horne said.
AHA SA president Peter Hurley said the awards showed the pride in SA businesses and passion for the industry.
“Believe me, at times like this we are just operating on pride and passion because so many things and people seem to be against us at present.
“We are told our nation survived the global financial crisis, but whoever said that doesn’t know how damn bad it is at the moment.”
Hurley also thanked Tourism Minister Leon Bignell, who he said had a “well-established record of advocacy for tourism hospitality and particularly for regional operators for which we are very indebted to”.
“And to his very great credit, he has proven in recent months that he is not afraid to challenge the party heavy on policy that has an obvious negative impact on hospitality retailers and his regional producers that are his constituents, and I refer particularly to the senseless wine-in-supermarkets proposal, and we thank you very much, minister, for your role in making your views known about that.”
The Warradale Hotel, which has been completely renovated over the past five years, was also recognised in multiple awards, including as joint winner of Best Outdoor/Non-Enclosed Facility, and Best Bistro – Metropolitan, Best Redeveloped Hotel – Metropolitan.
Horne said the pub was an “exciting example of what a local could become”.
“A traditional suburban pub has been transformed into a contemporary urban venue that appeals to a range of demographics. It is on the cutting edge of design and technology, and shows excellence in cuisine.”
2013 AHA|SA AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE WINNERS
1. Best Mid-Range Accommodation
Arkaba Hotel
(Loxton Hotel received a Judges Commendation)
2. Best Apartment/Suite Accommodation
Miller Apartments
3. Best Deluxe Hotel Accommodation
Rendezvous Grand Hotel Adelaide
4. Best Bistro/Casual Dining – Country
Rising Sun Hotel, Auburn
(Hagen Arms Hotel, Echunga received a Judges Commendation)
5. Best Bistro/Casual Dining – Metropolitan
Warradale Hotel
6. Best Restaurant – Accommodation Division
Sebel Playford Adelaide
(Lakes Resort Hotel received a Judges Commendation)
7. Best Restaurant – General Division
Lion Hotel
(Brompton Hotel received a Judges Commendation)
8. Best Bar Presentation & Service – Country
Macs Hotel, Mount Gambier
9. Best Bar Presentation & Service – Metropolitan
Lion Hotel
10. Best Retail Outlet – Country
Great Eastern Hotel, Littlehampton
11. Best Retail Outlet – Metropolitan
Stirling Hotel
12. Best Outdoor or Non-Enclosed Facility
Joint winners Lion Hotel and Warradale Hotel
13. Best Entertainment Venue
Governor Hindmarsh Hotel
14. Best Sporting Entertainment Venue
Arkaba Hotel
15. Best Redeveloped Hotel – Country
Macs Hotel, Mount Gambier
16. Best Redeveloped Hotel – Metropolitan
Warradale Hotel
17. Outstanding Community Service & Achievement
Loxton Hotel
19. Best Marketed Hotel – General Division
The Highway Hotel
(Ramsgate Hotel received a Judges Commendation)
20. Best Tourism Initiative
National Wine Centre
21. Best Environmental Practice & Energy Efficiency
Lakes Resort Hotel
22. Best Gaming Venue – Country
Macs Hotel, Mount Gambier
23. Best Gaming Venue – Metropolitan
The Highway Hotel
24. Best Function Operation/Facility – Accommodation Division
Sferas Park Suites and Convention Centre
25. Best Function Operation/Facility – General Division
Joint winners Hackney Hotel and Lion Hotel
28. Outstanding Achievement in Training – General Division
Strathmore Hotel
29. Hotel Industry Rising Star Award
Justin Twartz – Morphett Arms Hotel
30. Best Overall Hotel
Lion Hotel
