Perth’s Como The Treasury, a knockout revival of three colonial-era buildings by renowned Perth architect Kerry Hill, took out the top two accolades – Hotel of the Year and New Hotel of the Year – for bringing lavish new life to Perth’s State Buildings. Halcyon House, the stylish newcomer at Cabarita Beach on the New South Wales north coast, was named Regional Hotel of the Year as well as being recognised with the accolade for Best Service.
The awards, presented by journalist and television personality Chris Bath before an audience of Australia’s leading hoteliers and travel industry experts, coincide with the release of the 2016 Gourmet Traveller Australian Hotel Guide – published with the June edition of Gourmet Traveller (on sale 26 May).
Anthea Loucas Bosha, editor in chief of Australian Gourmet Traveller, said: “It’s so gratifying to see, three years after launching our guide, that Australia’s hotel industry is experiencing such a resurgence.
“No fewer than 11 of our top 50 hotels are new entries for 2016.”
The 124-page guide, compiled annually by reviewers from Australia’s most authoritative travel magazine, is a guide to the country’s top 50 hotels. It also profiles dozens more properties including memorable Australian resorts and lodges, unique properties, spas and budget lodgings.
The awards are decided by Gourmet Traveller’s reviewing team after they have stayed anonymously at the country’s top hotels. The awards recognise the cornerstones of any great hotel stay, from the best hotel pool to the best club sandwich in the land.
Other major award winners include QT Hotels & Resorts (Best Minibars, Best Club Sandwich at QT Sydney); Hotel Palisade in Sydney (Best Bar); and The Old Clare Hotel, also in Sydney, which was named Boutique Hotel of the Year.
2016 GOURMET TRAVELLER AUSTRALIAN HOTEL GUIDE AWARD WINNERS
Hotel of the Year: Como The Treasury, Perth, WA
New Hotel of the Year: Como The Treasury, Perth, WA
Large Hotel of the Year: Crown Towers, Melbourne, Vic
Boutique Hotel of the Year: The Old Clare Hotel, Sydney, NSW
Regional Hotel of the Year: Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach, NSW
Best Service: Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach, NSW
Best Breakfast: Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Vic
Best Pool: Crown Metropol, Melbourne, Vic
Best Bar: Hotel Palisade, Sydney, NSW
Best Club Sandwich: QT Sydney, NSW
Best Minibar: QT Hotels & Resorts
