South Australia’s best hotels crowned
The state’s peak hotels body has named the best in the business with its winners ranging from a city mainstay to a Riverland gem – and named its chef of the year. See the full winners list.
The Arkaba Hotel in Fullarton was crowned Best Overall Hotel — Metropolitan for the second consecutive year at the Hotels Association South Australia (AHA SA) Hotel Industry Awards for Excellence on Tuesday night.
It followed the Hurley Hotel Group venue that recently underwent a $12m renovation to its dining areas, Top of the Ark function space and live sports bar in 2023 winning Overall Hotel of the Year — Metropolitan award at the AHA National Awards last November.
Some 1,000 industry guests were at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre event last night, with a record number of nominations and a mixed bag of regional and city venues taking out top honours.
“Last night was not just about celebrating the winners but was also an incredible reflection of what has been achieved as an industry,” AHA SA CEO Anna Moeller said.
Brendan Boothroyd was named Chef of the Year for his innovative menus across more than 20 Duxton Pub venues across SA — with his “leadership and creativity” key factors to the award.
Moeller said the Arkaba’s wide range of services and products was a contributing factor to it taking out a gong.
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“They have an amazing sports bar, capacity for functions and meeting spaces and the infamous Top of the Ark,” she said.
“The service the staff provide is second to none and there’s always something going on at the Arkaba — from live music to the incredible dining experience.”
The venue now employs more than 150 staff across its accommodation, retail, food and beverage services.
The Arkaba also took home the Best Entertainment Venue, Sporting Entertainment Venue and Meeting and Events Venue awards last night.
The Loxton Hotel took out top regional spot with the Best Overall Hotel — Country award.
It follows the venue’s 2022 Best Overall Hotel — Country award after an extensive redevelopment to include a modernised bar and an acclaimed new beer garden.
“What they have done in terms of the ambience and the fit-out of the place all comes together to provide a wonderful experience,” Moeller said
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“It’s so important that this is happening in our regions as well as our metropolitan hotels.”
Established in 1908, the community-owned pub has reinvested over $100,000 annually into local schools, clubs and events.
Loxton Hotel was also awarded Best Bar Presentation and Experience — Country.
Another notable winner was Mount Lofty House which received its third consecutive Best Overall Hotel — Accommodation Division award.
The award recognised the venues excellence in accommodation, functions, tourism, dining and customer service.
Moeller said it was important to recognise pubs and the “hard work and dedication” of employees across SA after a difficult period for the hospitality industry.
“I think when people are under any kind of pressure — like the cost-of-living crisis — it’s important that there are places that mates can get together and socialise,” she said.
“It’s so good for people’s wellbeing and mental health and pubs can provide that experience.
“Hotels have always provided a place for people to come together to celebrate.”
All SA winners will head to the AHA National Awards in Queensland on 17 November.
Full list of venue winners:
| Category | Winner |
| Draught Beer Quality | Maltshove Taphouse – JOINT WINNER |
| Draught Beer Quality | The Barker Hotel – JOINT WINNER |
| Tourism & Regional Promotion | Port Lincoln Hotel |
| Deluxe Pub Accommodation | Stirling Hotel |
| Apartment/Suite Accommodation | Par Five Shacks |
| Mid-Range Hotel Accommodation | Rydges South Park Adelaide |
| Superior Hotel Accommodation | Oval Hotel |
| Deluxe Hotel Accommodation | Adelaide Marriott Hotel |
| Luxury Hotel Accommodation | Sequoia Lodge at Mount Lofty Estate |
| Bar Presentation & Experience – Accommodation Division | Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets |
| Bar Presentation & Experience – Country | Loxton Hotel |
| Bar Presentation & Experience – Metropolitan | Stirling Hotel |
| Retail Liquor Outlet | Panorama Hurley Cellars |
| Outdoor or Non-Enclosed Facility – Country | Naracoorte Hotel Motel |
| Outdoor or Non-Enclosed Facility – Metropolitan | Bridgewater Inn |
| Family Dining | Flagstaff Hotel |
| Bistro Casual Dining – Country | Sevenhill Hotel |
| Bistro Casual Dining – Inner Metropolitan | Cremorne Hotel |
| Bistro Casual Dining – Outer Metropolitan | Marion Hotel |
| Restaurant Accommodation Division | Mount Lofty House & Estate |
| Restaurant General Division – Country | Penobscot Restaurant at the Watervale Hotel |
| Restaurant General Division – Metropolitan | 2KW Bar & Restaurant |
| Meeting & Events Venue – Specialist Division | Adelaide Oval |
| Meeting & Events Venue – Accommodation Division | Eos by SkyCity |
| Meeting & Events Venue – General Division | Arkaba Hotel |
| Chef of the Year | Brendan Boothroyd – Duxton Pubs |
| Employee Excellence in Service | Emily Williams – Adelaide Oval |
| Hotel Industry Rising Star | Chantel Behenna – Duxton Pubs – JOINT WINNER |
| Hotel Industry Rising Star | Miranda Armstrong – McLaren Vale Hotel – JOINT WINNER |
| Outstanding Achievement in Training | Adelaide Oval |
| Community Service & Support | Vine Inn Barossa |
| TAB Licenced Venue | Cremorne Hotel |
| Sporting Entertainment Venue | Arkaba Hotel |
| Entertainment Venue | Adelaide Entertainment Centre – Specialist Venue |
| Entertainment Venue | Arkaba Hotel – General Division |
| Live Music Venue | The Gov |
| Marketing & Promotion | The Highway |
| Innovation, Sustainability & Energy Efficiency Practice | Watervale Hotel |
| Gaming Venue – Country | Swanport Hotel |
| Gaming Venue – Metropolitan | Mansfield Park Hotel |
| Redeveloped Hotel – Accommodation Division | The Chancellor on Currie |
| Redeveloped Hotel – Country | Middleton Tavern |
| Redeveloped Hotel – Metropolitan | Payneham Tavern |
| Overall Hotel – Accommodation Division | Mount Lofty House & Estate |
| Overall Hotel – Country | Loxton Hotel |
| Overall Hotel – General | Arkaba Hotel |
