The leading lights of South Australia’s hotel sector have been celebrated at the 2024 Australian Hotels Association SA Awards for Excellence. The prestigious event was held at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Tuesday October 22nd, attracting over 900 attendees, including prominent figures and industry professionals.
Among the attendees was the Premier of South Australia, Hon Peter Malinauskas MP, who delivered a speech at the gala event. The Premier highlighted the critical role hotels and pubs play in the state, not only as key hubs of community and spirit but also as vital contributors to employment and investment. He remarked on the impeccable quality of hospitality that South Australia offers, which is helping to position it as a destination state.
This year’s top honour, Best Overall Hotel – General Division (Metropolitan) went to the Arkaba Hotel (pictured above), which has recently undergone its first significant redevelopment in decades, involving a multi-million-dollar investment. This redevelopment appears to have paid dividends, as the Arkaba Hotel scooped several other awards including Best Redeveloped Hotel – General Division Metropolitan, Best Entertainment Venue, Best Outdoor or Non-Enclosed Facility – Metropolitan, Best Sporting Entertainment Venue, and finally an award for Community Service & Support.
In the country division, the McLaren Vale Hotel stood out by winning Best Overall Hotel for the second consecutive year. The venue has embraced its heritage while integrating modern hospitality concepts, fostering strong connections with local wineries to boost tourism in the region. It also claimed victories in the Bistro Casual Dining – Country and Bar Presentation & Experience – Country categories.
Mount Lofty House repeated its previous year’s success by being named Best Overall Hotel – Accommodation, a recognition it also received in 2023. The addition of the Sequoia Lodge to its premises was noted as an enhancement to its already comprehensive offerings. Mount Lofty House also retained titles for Best Luxury Hotel Accommodation and Best Bar Presentation & Experience in the Accommodation Division.
AHA|SA CEO, Anna Moeller, praised the award winners for their outstanding performance and commitment to excellence.
“The Arkaba, McLaren Vale Hotel and Mount Lofty House have achieved the pinnacle of excellence,” said Moeller.
“The Arkaba exemplifies what hard-working and entrepreneurial South Australian families can do. The award is a stunning tribute to their unparalleled commitment to excellence.
“I am in awe of the McLaren Vale Hotel and Mount Lofty House. The ability of their teams to win top awards two years in a row is an astonishing feat and richly deserved.
“But ultimately, all the winners and nominees tonight reflect the incredible quality of South Australian hotels, which deliver world-class experiences across the entire state.”
Premier Premier Malinauskas shared, “I have no doubt that AHA|SA members will punch above their weight at the AHA National Awards later this year, rivalling the offering of the eastern states.
“Hotels large and small have been the beneficiary of the government’s push to generate visitors and growth for the state through major events never before contemplated. These events could not have succeeded to the extent they have without a vibrant and viable hotel industry that punches well above its weight.
“2024 has been a massive year for our hotels industry and 2025 is gearing up to be even bigger. That is why it’s so important that both government and the broader community continue their support for an industry that is leading by example in so many ways and putting us on the world stage.”
The 2024 Winners of the 2024 Australian Hotels Association SA Awards for Excellence
Overall Hotel – Accommodation Division
Mount Lofty House
Overall Hotel – General Division Country
McLaren Vale Hotel
Overall Hotel – General Division Metropolitan
Arkaba Hotel
Bar Presentation & Experience – Accommodation Division
Mount Lofty House
Bar Presentation & Experience – Country
McLaren Vale Hotel
Bar Presentation & Experience – Metropolitan (Joint Winners)
Stirling Hotel
Bar Presentation & Experience – Metropolitan (Joint Winners)
The Highway
Bistro Casual Dining – Country
McLaren Vale Hotel
Bistro Casual Dining – Inner Metropolitan
Cremorne Hotel
Bistro Casual Dining – Outer Metropolitan
Stanley Bridge Tavern
Chef of the Year
Hotel Renmark – Hugh Hazelwood
Community Service & Support (Joint Winners)
Arkaba Hotel
Community Service & Support (Joint Winners)
The Highway
Deluxe Hotel Accommodation
Delgattie Estate
Deluxe Pub Accommodation
Stirling Hotel
Draught Beer Quality Award (Joint Winners)
Malt Shovel Taphouse
Draught Beer Quality Award (Joint Winners)
Uraidla Hotel
Employee Excellence in Service – Accommodation Division
Mount Lofty House – Christopher Speck
Employee Excellence in Service – General Division
Uraidla Hotel – Heath Johansen
Entertainment Venue
Arkaba Hotel
Family Dining
Flagstaff Hotel
Gaming Venue – Metropolitan
Brahma Lodge Hotel
Gaming Venue – Country
Middleton Tavern
Hotel Industry Rising Star
The Highway – Declan Hewett
Innovation, Sustainability & Energy Efficiency Practice
Uraidla Hotel
Live Music Venue
Crown and Anchor Hotel
Luxury Hotel Accommodation
Mount Lofty House
Marketing & Promotion – Accommodation Division
Hotel Alba Adelaide
Marketing & Promotion – General Division
Macs Hotel, Mount Gambier
Meeting & Events Venue – Accommodation & Specialist Division
Adelaide Oval
Meeting & Events Venue – General Division
Marion Hotel
Mid-Range Hotel Accommodation
Oaks Glenelg Plaza Pier Suites
Outdoor or Non-Enclosed Facility – Country
Port Lincoln Hotel
Outdoor or Non-Enclosed Facility – Metropolitan
Arkaba Hotel
Redeveloped Hotel – Accommodation Division
Hotel Alba Adelaide
Redeveloped Hotel – General Division Country
South Australian Hotel, Mount Gambier
Redeveloped Hotel – General Division Metropolitan
Arkaba Hotel
Restaurant Accommodation Division
Lakes Resort Hotel
Restaurant General Division – Country
Hotel Renmark
Restaurant General Division – Metropolitan
2KW Bar and Restaurant
Retail Liquor Outlet
Hurley Cellars Panorama
Sporting Entertainment Venue
Arkaba Hotel
Superior Hotel Accommodation
Oval Hotel
TAB Licensed Venue
Grand Junction Tavern
WT Spurr AO Award – Tourism & Regional Promotion
Port Lincoln Hotel
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