Gourmet Traveller announce 2016 Australian Hotel Guide Awards

A grand $110 million heritage restoration was the star turn of the third annual Gourmet Traveller Australian Hotel Guide Awards announced tonight at the stunning new Primus Hotel Sydney.

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, offered her warmest congratulations to all the featured properties and award winners in Australia’s only national hotel guide.

“It’s so gratifying to see, three years after launching our guide, that Australia’s hotel industry is experiencing such a resurgence,” she said. “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 an indispensable 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 in last night’s flagship event 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.

The hotel guide has been produced in association with Nespresso, whose coffee machines enhance the guest experience at many of Australia’s best addresses.

“Every year I am astonished at the depth and breadth of quality hotels, lodges, resorts and spas included in this guide, and 2016 is no different,” said Loïc Réthoré, general manager of Nespresso Australia & Oceania. “From Perth to Port Douglas, Brisbane to Hobart, there are gems to be discovered across the country.”