Hotels from every part of the state have been recognised for their contribution to Queensland’s Tourism Industry at the Annual QHA Awards for Excellence.

“The Awards celebrate those wonderful businesses throughout the state that breathe life into the 'Beautiful one day, Perfect the Next!' slogan each and every day," said Bernie Hogan, Queensland Hotels Association (QHA) Chief Executive.

At a glance:

• The best of Queensland’s Hotel and Accommodation industry have been recognised at the Annual QHA Awards for Excellence.
• The prestigious Hotel of the Year went to a family owned operation, The Glen Hotel in Eight Mile Plains. 
• Hotelier of the Year was awarded to Matthew Coorey of the Boardwalk Tavern at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast. 

“With new entrants into the industry throughout the regions and Brisbane, the job of the judges has never been tougher,” said Mr Hogan.

Ovolo the Valley winners

"Tonight we also acknowledged a true icon of the Queensland Hotel industry in Bernie Power. Many will remember Bernie as the driving force behind Power Brewing and the establishment of the Broncos however, before then and for many years since Bernie has been a publican and strong supporter of the QHA.”

The prestigious Hotel of the Year went to The Glen Hotel in Eight Mile Plains. As a family owned operation that has grown from a small suburban pub into a first-class operation offering accommodation, multiple food outlets, entertainment and conference centre, The Glen was considered to be of the very highest standard throughout the State. The Fitzgibbons family have owned The Glen for decades and continue to be at the forefront of the industry.

Hotelier of the Year was awarded to Matthew Coorey of the Boardwalk Tavern at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast. Matt is considered one of the rising leaders in the Queensland Hotel Industry and has been a tireless supporter of the Association to promote the very best Queensland has to offer.

As an hotelier in one of the country’s tourism hot-spots, Matt constantly works to keep his venue at the very forefront of industry innovation. He actively engages with other members to share in success and share knowledge wherever he can.

“The QHA couldn’t be prouder of tonight’s winners, and all of the members that turned out tonight to celebrate a terrific part of Queensland’s cultural fabric – our tourism industry and the hotels that are at the very heart of it,” said Mr Hogan.

The full list of winners

• Administration Employee Of The Year Ashmore Tavern - Kristy Helmers Best
• Boutique Accommodation Spicers Balfour Hotel
• Best Boutique Bar The Terrace at Emporium Hotel
• Best Bush Pub Esk Club Hotel
• Best Casual Dining The Glen Hotel
• Best Deluxe Accommodation Ovolo The Valley
• Best Detached Bottleshop Sense of Taste Portside (Brisbane)
• Best Draught Beer Carriers Arms Hotel (Maryborough)
• Best Entertainment Venue Eatons Hill Hotel
• Best Environmental Practice Riley, A Crystalbrook Collection Resort (Cairns)
• Best Gaming Venue Shamrock Hotel (Mackay)
• Best Keno Venue Railway Hotel (Yeppoon)
• Best Marketed Hotel - 100 Employees Riley, A Crystalbrook Collection Resort (Cairns)
• Best Marketed Hotel - 1-99 Employees The Island Gold Coast
• Best Meeting & Events Venue W Brisbane
• Best Mid-Range Accommodation Sandstone Point Hotel
• Best On-Premise Liquor Outlet Porters Plainland Hotel Bottlemart
• Best Outdoor/Non Enclosed Facility Sandstone Point Hotel
• Best Prestige Restaurant Bacchus Restaurant at Rydges South Bank
• Best Pub-Style Accommodation Halifax Hotel (Halifax)
• Best Pubtab Venue Hope Island Tavern
• Best Redeveloped Accommodation Hotel Resort The Ville Resort-Casino (Townsville)
• Best Redeveloped Licensed Premise above $2milPorters Plainland Hotel
• Best Redeveloped Licensed Premise up to $2mil Carrollee Hotel (Kingaroy)
• Best Restaurant -Accommodation Hotels Homage Restaurant at Spicers Hidden Vale Best Restaurant - General Hotels The Boatshed at Regatta Hotel
• Best Suite/Apartment Accommodation Meriton Suites Southport
• Best Superior Accommodation Pacific Hotel Cairns
• Best Themed Bar The Walrus Club at Regatta Hotel
• Best Traditional Hotel Bar Tap’d at Prince Alfred Hotel Ipswich
• Chef Of The Year Sandstone Point Hotel - Nick Lockyer Food & Beverage
• Employee Of The Year The Westin Brisbane - Mindy Perera Guest Services
• Employee Of The Year Rydges South Bank - Kait Einam
• Industry Rising Star Award Prince Alfred Hotel Ipswich - Ben Potter
• Outstanding Achievement In Training Hilton Brisbane
• Outstanding Community Service & Achievement - 100 Employees Hilton Surfers Paradise
• Outstanding Community Service & Achievement - 1-99 Employees Commercial Hotel Tara
• Responsible Service – Alcohol Mon Komo Hotel (Redcliffe)
• Responsible Service – Gaming Aspley Central Tavern (Brisbane)
• Workplace Health & Safety Award Rydges South Bank
• Hotelier of the Year Matthew Coorey – Boardwalk Tavern (Sanctuary Cove)
• Hotel of the Year The Glen Hotel (Eight Mile Plains)
• Lifetime Achievement Award Bernard Power Life Member Tony Condon (Currumbin Creek Hotel)

Hall of Fame Awards: (after winning 3 consecutive Awards in a category)

• Best Detached Bottleshop Mossman Hotel Bottle-O (Mossman)
• Best Superior Accommodation Rydges South Bank Hotel
• Outstanding Community Service & Achievement - 100 Employees Hilton Brisbane

Related reading:

"Queensland hotel market having its time in sun" - iProsperity Hotel Research Report

Crystalbrook Collection’s Riley in Cairns showcases Queensland design talent

Sunshine Coast to host Queensland’s largest tourism industry gathering with a hat-trick of events in November