Australian Hotel Awards

The 2012 Hotel Management Awards were held in Sydney last night and below is a list of the winners (H/C stands for Highly Commended) that took out the awards relevant to hotels we deal with.

Congratulations to our friends at Emporium Hotel Brisbane for again winning Best Boutique Hotel in Australia for the fourth time.

Australian Property Awards



1. Serviced Apartment Property

Presented by: AHS

WINNER: Fraser Suites Sydney

H/C: Quay Grand Suites, Sydney


4. Midscale Property

Presented by: Accommodation Association of Australia (AAA)

WINNER: Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront, NT

H/C: Diamant Hotel Sydney, NSW

5. Upscale Property

Presented by: Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School

WINNER: The Sebel Pier One, Sydney, NSW

H/C: Q Station Retreat, Manly, NSW

6. Upper-upscale Property

Presented by: Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA)

WINNER: Crown Metropol Melbourne, VIC

H/C: The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa, NSW

7. Luxury Property

Presented by: HotelHome Australia

WINNER: Park Hyatt Sydney, NSW

H/C: qualia, Hamilton Island, QLD

9. Business Hotel

Presented by: ISIS

WINNER: Shangri-La Hotel Sydney, NSW

H/C: Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, VIC


11. Hotel Interior Design

Presented by: ISIS

WINNER: Park Hyatt Sydney, NSW

H/C: The Darling, Sydney, NSW


12. Boutique Hotel

Presented by: Intrust Super

WINNER: Emporium Hotel, Brisbane, QLD

H/C: The Langham, Sydney, NSW


13. New Hotel

Presented by: New Creation Print

WINNER: Hilton Surfers Paradise, QLD

H/C: The Darling Sydney, NSW


17. Hotel Bar

Presented by: Southtrade

WINNER: Zeta Bar, Hilton Sydney, NSW

H/C: The Waiting Room, Crown Towers Melbourne, VIC

18. Hotel Restaurant

Presented by: San Pellegrino

WINNER: Lake House Restaurant, Daylesford, VIC

H/C: Long Pavillon, qualia, Hamilton Island, QLD

19. Tech Hotel

Presented by: iBahn

WINNER: The Darling Hotel, Sydney, NSW

H/C: Crown Metropol Melbourne, QLD


For the full list of winners and awards, click here.

Brisbane's most luxurious hotel rooms

I came across a good article about some of the best rooms that Brisbane hotels have to offer. While I've visited all of the hotels mentioned, I'm yet to stay in any of the suites listed. Will have to work on that!

Oh what a night: Brisbane's most luxurious hotel rooms
KATHERINE FEENEY

Looking for a night at the height of Australian hotel luxury without the hassle of chartering the private jet?

Don't fret. Brisbane has you covered but don't think you'll save much coin. A night in the city's best room is comparative to the top suites in the country.

With rates starting from $4000 per night, the Stamford Suite at the Stamford Plaza Hotel is Brisbane's most expensive space and shares price parity with the Royal Suites at Sydney's Sheraton On The Park and the Sofitel Melbourne.

Not bad for a city less than half the size of its southern cousins, though even this premium pales in comparison to one night spent in the "invitation only" Georgian Manor Villa at Melbourne's Crown Towers, which comes in at a cool $27,500 a night.

But how far does four grand go when it comes to luxury living?

Well, it gives you a room literally fit for a queen, with Queen Elizabeth II famously shunning traditional lodgings at Government House for a stay at the Stamford suite during her visit to Brisbane in the 1970s.

Featuring a private foyer, butler's quarters and grand piano the top floor suite has sweeping river views and opulent furnishings updated through the Stamford's recent $10 million makeover.

Of course if this suite offers little more luxury than you'd bargained for the Presidential Suite at the Marriott offers high style at just over half the price.

Here around $2500 buys you 131 square metres of turndown service, marble bathroom, separate lounge and dining areas, king-sized bedding and access to complimentary canapes and drinks served in the executive lounge.

Or there are the two levels and spiral staircase of the Opera Suite at the recently refurbished Sofitel available from $885 per night, where guests have ample space in which to entertain the envious.

However, price is not always indicative of quality and a number of relatively new boutique hotels amply answer the burgeoning demand for premium accommodation without the lofty fee.

Brisbane's Emporium Hotel, which opened in June 2007, was announced Best Boutique Hotel at the Queensland Hotels Association (QHA) Awards for Excellence recently, beating fellow finalist Peppers Spicers Peak Lodge.

Touted as the first true luxury boutique hotel in town, the best rooms at the glitzy hotel are the new Corner Suites which, from $495, come with separate sleeping and living areas, kitchenette, king-sized bedroom and furnishings drenched in rock star sex appeal.

And competition among the boutique market is set to heat up as more players come online with the newest contender, the Urban Hotel, housed on the former Terraces on Wickham site and offering $10 million worth of refurbished rooms.

The Urban joins the Portal Hotel, opened in March, and the celebrated Limes Hotel which, since its June 2008 launch, has became the city's first member of the exclusive, international Design Hotels group.

Emporium Hotel - Executive Stays Package

In these tough economic times, there's nothing more frustrating to me than hotels that don't adjust their rates or packages accordingly (State of Origin anyone?). That's why I was SO pleased to see this latest package from the Emporium Hotel in Brisbane.

24 hour free broadband internet AND a light breakfast for just $15 ... fantastic value!

Here are the details of the package:

Brisbane: Emporium Hotel announces Executive Stays Package for the Corporate Traveller

Brisbane’s stylish and multi-award winning Emporium Hotel has announced a custom-designed package created specifically for the corporate traveller – introducing Executive Stays.

The Executive Stays Package has been specifically designed for the corporate traveller, and includes luxury accommodation in a King Suite, free 24hr broadband access, an Executive Continental Breakfast enjoyed either in the comfort of the suite or packaged up to takeaway on the run, and a complimentary morning newspaper.

General Manager of the Emporium Hotel, Mr Peter Savoff said the needs of corporate travellers were always changing. “Today with tighter budgets, the corporate traveller has to fit even more into what is an already packed meetings schedule. Because of this we have tailored a package which includes exactly what they need – 24 hour internet access, breakfast packaged up on the go if required, newspapers and of course the King Suite so they can rest easily,” he said.

“In addition to the Executive Stays package, guests also receive the very best the Emporium Hotel has to offer – exceptional concierge services, gym and pool facilities, meeting facilities and much more. As a corporate traveller myself, I understand what guests expect, and this is why we have created this package.”

The Executive Stay package is only an additional $15 on a King Suite rate and is available from Sunday to Thursday nights inclusive, valid through until September 30, 2009. It is subject to availability and conditions apply.