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Urchins and heartists help clinch top hotel gong

A newcomer to Sydney’s luxury hotel scene with a vast lobby aquarium and staff trained as “heartists” has been awarded the state’s top accommodation honour.

The ten-month-old Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour beat out perennial favourite The Langham to win Metropolitan Deluxe Hotel of the Year in the Tourism Accommodation Australia (NSW) Awards for Excellence.

Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley was the night’s other big winner, taking out the prestigious title of Regional Deluxe Hotel of the Year for the third year running.

The awards, announced last week before a crowd of almost 800 political, industry and business leaders at the Star Events Centre Sydney, recognise excellence across a range of categories from deluxe bar (also won by the Sofitel for its Champagne Bar) to outstanding achievement in training (Holiday Inn, Potts Point).

[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”27469″ align=”left” padding=”10″]Sofitel Darling Harbour’s general manager, Greg Brady, told Accomnews: “We’re very happy and proud to win the awards in our first year of operation.

“It’s been a long journey opening a 590-room luxury hotel, both in the pre-planning and the establishment of the hotel.

“The award recognises the fact that we’ve arrived as a luxury hotel in Sydney and exceeded all expectations.

“It’s a beautiful hotel, representing the new essence of Sofitel luxury, which is modern luxury.

“It has beautiful views, a fantastic location and ambassadors that we train to be true heartists, providing service from the heart through their own artistry.”

This year’s awards broke all records, with some 320 nominations received from a record 82 hotels across 34 categories.

Metropolitan Superior Hotel of the Year was won by Novotel Sydney Darling Square while The Convent Hunter Valley took out Regional Superior Hotel of the Year.

Mercure Sydney was named best mid-range hotel and Sheraton on the Park, Sydney was judged best redeveloped/refurbished hotel.

The best apartment/suite hotel gong went to North Sydney’s Meriton Suites, while Fraser Suites Sydney was inducted into the association’s hall of fame for its victory in the same category over the previous three years.

TAA NSW chair Peter Tudehope said the 2018 winners exemplified the best in the state’s tourism industry.

“NSW really does set the standard when it comes to the quality of our accommodation venues and their hard-working staff,” he said.

“Each year at the awards for excellence we honour the best in the business for their tireless efforts throughout the year in providing a great experience for visitors to this state.

“I congratulate all the winners on a job well done.”

Winners also include:

  • Health Club and Spa Facilities of the Year: The Spa, at Chateau Elan Hunter Valley
  • Restaurant of the Year (Deluxe): Black Bar and Grill, The Star Sydney
  • Restaurant of the Year (Mid-Range/Superior hotels): Abode Bistro and Bar, PARKROYAL Darling Harbour
  • Brasserie/Café of the Year: Silvester’s, Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel
  • Conference & Events Venue of the Year: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
  • Workplace Health and Safety Hotel of the Year: Holiday Inn Darling Harbour
  • Outstanding Community Contribution: Atura Blacktown
  • Best Environmental Practices: Loxley on BellBird Hill
  • Best Innovation Project: Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley

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