Outstanding performance recognised at AHA awards

Western Australia’s leading accommodation hotels and professionals were celebrated tonight at the 2026 AHA – Perth Airport Accommodation Awards for Excellence, held at the Devil’s Lair Gala Ball at The Westin Perth.

The prestigious annual event recognises excellence and leadership in the management and operation of accommodation hotels across the state, highlighting the achievements of venues, teams, managers and individual staff.

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More than 500 industry leaders and guests attended the gala evening, a cornerstone event on the WA hospitality calendar.

Australian Hotels Association (WA) CEO Bradley Woods said the awards, spanning more than 30 categories, showcase the professionalism, resilience and innovation within Western Australia’s accommodation sector.

Related AccomNews article: PARKROYAL Parramatta wins best mid‑range accommodation at the 2025 AHA National Awards for Excellence

“These awards recognise the exceptional people and properties delivering world-class hospitality across our state,” Mr Woods said. 

“Western Australia’s accommodation sector is thriving, with Perth hotels achieving average occupancy rates well above the national average and visitor numbers across the State reaching record levels. 

“From luxury city hotels to family-friendly regional accommodation, tonight’s winners are leading the way, providing outstanding service, memorable experiences and demonstrating the professionalism and innovation that keep WA at the forefront of Australian tourism.”

Major award winners 

• WA’s Best Regional Accommodation Hotel Award: Hilton Garden Inn Busselton
• WA’s Best Metro Accommodation Hotel Award: The Westin Perth
• Accommodation Industry Hall of Fame Inductee: Nathan Frost, Vice President of Operations for Accor Western Australia and Tasmania.

General award categories

All Abilities Hotel Award: Novotel Perth Murray Street

Excellence in Workplace Culture Award: Duxton Hotel Perth & Mangrove Hotel, Broome

Environmental Services Award: Novotel Perth Murray Street

Hotel Marketing Award: The Westin Perth

Hotel Management Team Award: Crown Towers Perth

Accommodation Hotel Bar Award: Songbird, The Ritz-Carlton, Perth

Accommodation Hotel Wine List Award: Wildflower, COMO The Treasury, Perth

Accommodation Hotel Restaurant Award: Santini Grill, QT Perth

Contemporary Cuisine Award: UMA, Pan Pacific Perth

Family Friendly Accommodation: Aloft Perth

Mid-Range Accommodation Award: Hilton Garden Inn Busselton

Superior Accommodation Award: Vibe Hotel Subiaco Perth

Deluxe Accommodation Award: The Westin Perth

Employee awards

Rising Star Award: Jessica Birks, Holiday Inn West Perth

Chef Award: Lekhnath Thapaliya, Duxton Hotel Perth, Highly commended: Kyle Jeon, Crown Hotels Perth

Food and Beverage Award: Rita Shwe, Crown Hotels Perth

Housekeeping Award: Moira Jones, Holiday Inn Perth City Centre

Administration Services: Isabel Ringis, The Ritz-Carlton, Perth

Accommodation Reception Award: Leah Dunnet, Hilton Garden Inn Busselton

Hotel team awards

Banquet, Events and MICE Team Award: The Westin, Perth, Highly commended: Esplanade Hotel Fremantle by Rydges

Guest Services Team Award: Courtyard by Marriott Perth, Murdoch

Hotel management awards

Front Office Manager Award: Mohamed Rasheed, Crown Hotels Perth

Outlet Venue Manager Award: Ryan de Villiers, Wildflower, COMO The Treasury & Thomas Staples, Hearth, The Ritz-Carlton, Perth

Emerging Female Leader Award: Mathilde Gouhier, COMO The Treasury, Highly commended: Shoba Gunasekaran, Duxton Hotel Perth

Administration and Finance Manager Award: Michelle Quinn, Ibis Perth

Human Resources Manager Award: Jai McNaughton, Novotel Perth Murray Street

Sales and Marketing Manager Award: Laura Manganaro, QT Perth

Conference and Events Manager Award: Amanda Chew, Aloft Perth, Highly commended: Anthony Nguyen, The Ritz-Carlton, Perth

Senior Executive Manager Award: John Parker, Aloft Perth & Peta Hill, InterContinental Perth City Centre