A record crowd of 1,000 hotel industry professionals were in attendance at the 20th HM Awards, presented by Sealy Posturepedic, at The Star Event Centre on Friday November 25, where the outstanding properties and people across Australasia were recognised in spectacular fashion.

The 2022 awards were hosted by HM magazine and almost 50 categories were presented on the night to deserving winners across a range of categories, from people and departments to properties and chains.

Amongst the major awards presented at the event, Accor won Accommodation Chain of the Year, while InterContinental Hotels and Resorts and Ovolo Hotels won Hotel Brand of the Year.

On the property front, Cordis Auckland and Crown Towers Sydney were the winners of the Australasian Hotel of the Year category.

Accor Pacific CEO Sarah Derry accepting the award for Accommodation Chain of the Year. Image credit: Considered Image

The major winners in the People Awards were The Ascott Limited’s David Mansfield, who won Australasian Hotelier, and Barry Robinson from Travel + Leisure, who was awarded Asia-Pacific Hotelier.

Langham Hospitality Group’s Brett Butcher was inducted into the Hall of Fame and Accor’s Sébastien Bazin received the Ashley Spencer Service to the Industry Award for his efforts in supporting his teams during the pandemic.

At the 2022 HM Awards, a silent auction and a Sparkling Bar also helped raise over $10,000 for Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation.

“On behalf of the HM magazine team, I’m proud we have been able to recognise the leading people, departments, properties, chains and brands across Australasia in front of our largest ever audience,” said HM Awards Founder and Chief Judge, and HM magazine Editor-In-Chief, James Wilkinson.

“There is some incredible talent in the accommodation industry in Australasia and so many received the recognition they most definitely deserved. Well done to everyone.”

Eos by Sky City and Crown Towers Sydney were awarded for Best Luxury Hotel

The 2022 HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence were presented by Sealy Posturepedic; co-hosted by the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School (BMIHMS) at Torrens University Australia and Hostplus; sponsored by Foxtel for Business, ahs Hospitality, ARMA, De Beaurepaire Wines, S.PELLEGRINO, FutureLog, HoneyBadger Technologies, Assa Abloy, Comcater, TimeFlyz, and Cvent; and supported by the Accommodation Association (AA), AHICE, Beer Republic, Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA), TravMedia, Watson Farley & Williams and WAYFARER.

Congratulations to all the winners and highly recommended. Here is the full list:

PROPERTY AWARDS – AUSTRALIA

01 – SERVICED APARTMENT PROPERTY

Sponsored by Sealy Posturepedic

WINNER:

-Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, NSW

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Skye Suites Sydney                      

-The Star Residences Gold Coast

02 – ECONOMY HOTEL

Sponsored by Tourism Accommodation Australia and Accommodation Association

WINNER:

-Brassey Hotel, Barton, ACT

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Adabco Boutique Hotel Adelaide, SA

-Travelodge Hotel Hobart, TAS

03 – MIDSCALE HOTEL

Sponsored by Hostplus

WINNER:

-DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne – Flinders Street, VIC

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Atura Adelaide Airport, SA

-PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, NSW

04 – UPSCALE HOTEL

Sponsored by AHICE

WINNER:

-Quincy Hotel Melbourne

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Little National Hotel Sydney

-The Woolstore 1888 By Ovolo, NSW

05 – UPPER-UPSCALE HOTEL

Sponsored by ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions

WINNERS:

-Hilton Sydney

-Hotel X Fortitude Valley, QLD

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands, VIC

-QT Sydney, NSW

06 – LUXURY HOTEL

Sponsored by HoneyBadger Technologies

WINNERS:

-Crown Towers Sydney, NSW

-Eos by SkyCity, SA

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, NSW

-The Langham, Gold Coast, QLD

07 – AUSTRALIAN LODGE

Sponsored by Tourism Accommodation Australia and Accommodation Association

WINNER:

-Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley, NSW

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Sequoia Lodge, Adelaide Hills, SA

-Spicers Peak Lodge, Maryvale, QLD

08 – BUSINESS HOTEL

Sponsored by Timeflyz

WINNER:

-Hyatt Regency Sydney, NSW

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Brisbane Marriott Hotel, QLD

-SKYE Suites Parramatta, NSW

09 – RESORT

Sponsored by De Beaurepaire Wines

WINNER:

-InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, QLD

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Crystalbrook Byron, NSW

-The Langham, Gold Coast, QLD

10 – HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGN

Sponsored by Sealy Posturepedic

WINNERS:

-Kimpton Margot Sydney, NSW

-Spicers Tower Lodge, Hunter Valley, NSW

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-InterContinental Sydney, NSW

-The Langham, Gold Coast, QLD

11 – BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Sponsored by De Beaurepaire Wines

WINNER:

-QT Sydney, NSW

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Islington Hotel, Hobart, TAS

-The Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa, QLD

12 – NEW HOTEL

Sponsored by Foxtel for Business

WINNERS:

-The Langham, Gold Coast, QLD

-The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart, TAS

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-QT Newcastle, NSW

-Sofitel Adelaide, SA

The Langham Gold Coast GM John O’Shea celebrating a win in the New Hotel category. Image credit: Considered Image

13 – MEETINGS AND CONFERENCING PROPERTY

Sponsored by cvent

WINNER:

-Shangri-La Sydney, NSW

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Crowne Plaza Sydney Coogee Beach, NSW

-JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, QLD

14 – REGIONAL PROPERTY

Sponsored by Sealy Posturepedic

WINNERS:

-Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill, VIC

-Spicers Hidden Vale, Grandchester, QLD

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Crystalbrook Byron, NSW

-Ladybay Resort, SA

15 – DAY SPA

Sponsored by Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School

WINNER:

-Crown Sydney Spa, Crown Towers Sydney, NSW

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Eos Spa + Wellness, Eos by SkyCity, SA

-The Darling Spa, The Darling Hotel, Sydney, NSW

16 – HOTEL BAR

Sponsored by De Beaurepaire Wines

WINNER:

-The Bar, InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, NSW

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Dean & Nancy on 22 at A by Adina Sydney, NSW

-Mary Mary, The Tasman, TAS

17 – HOTEL RESTAURANT

Sponsored by Comcater

WINNERS:

-Alibi Bar and Kitchen, Ovolo Woolloomooloo, NSW

-Nineteen at The Star, The Star Gold Coast, QLD

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Luke’s Kitchen, Kimpton Margot Sydney, NSW

-Tesoro, Movenpick Hotel Hobart, TAS

18 – TECH HOTEL

Sponsored by Foxtel for Business

WINNER:

-Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, NSW

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Aiden Darling Harbour, NSW

-Eos by SkyCity, Adelaide SA

PROPERTY AWARDS – NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTH PACIFIC

19 – NEW ZEALAND HOTEL

Sponsored by ahs hospitality

WINNER:

-Cordis Auckland

-Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-QT Auckland

-The Rees Hotel Queenstown

20 – NEW ZEALAND REGIONAL PROPERTY

Sponsored by Watson Farley & Williams

WINNER:

-Pullman Rotorua

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Fable Dunedin

-Swiss-Belboutique Napier

21 – NEW ZEALAND LODGE

Sponsored by AHICE Aotearoa

WINNER:

-Wharekauhau Country Estate, Featherston

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Delamore Lodge, Hauraki Gulf

-Owen River Lodge, Murchison

22 – FIJIAN PROPERTY

Sponsored by De Beaurepaire Wines

WINNERS:

-Castaway Island Resort

-Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa

-Vomo Island Fiji

23 – SOUTH PACIFIC PROPERTY

Sponsored by Sealy Posturepedic

WINNER:

-Pacific Resort Aitutaki, Cook Islands

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-The Stanley Hotel and Suites, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

-Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, French Polynesia

DEPARTMENT AWARDS – AUSTRALIA, NZ & SOUTH PACIFIC

24 – MARKETING CAMPAIGN

Sponsored by WAYFARER

WINNERS:

-Little National Hotel Sydney

-Quest Apartment Hotels (As local as you like it)

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Cordis Auckland (Heart of It All: Pinnacle Tower Campaign)

-QT Hotels & Resorts

25 – INNOVATIVE COLLABORATION

Sponsored by Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School

WINNERS:

-Ovolo Hotels (Ride Here. Ride Now)

-The Rees Hotel Queenstown x The Helicopter Line (Heli-Crayfish Experience)

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Marriott Bonvoy partners with Tennis Australia

-The Hotel Britomart, Auckland x Mavis and Osborne

26 – ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

Sponsored by Sealy Posturepedic

WINNERS:

-Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, Fiji

-Wildlife Retreat at Taronga, NSW

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

-Spicers Retreats, Hotels, Lodges (Green Hornets Program)

-The Hotel Britomart, Auckland, NZ

PEOPLE AWARDS

27 – CONCIERGE

Sponsored by Hostplus

WINNER:

Kevin Tautau, DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka, NZ

Leticia Waechter, Crown Towers Sydney, NSW

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Nikolas Adams, Park Hyatt Auckland, NZ

Siddhartha Kaul, Eos by SkyCity, Adelaide, SA

28 – HOTEL CHEF

Sponsored by S.PELLEGRINO

WINNER:

Corey Hume, The Rees Hotel, Queenstown, NZ

Harold Hurtada, Nobu Sydney, Crown Sydney, NSW

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

James Laird, QT Auckland, NZ

Fiona Weir, PepperBerry, Hilton Darwin, NT

29 – FOOD AND BEVERAGE ASSOCIATE

Sponsored by FutureLog Oceania

WINNER:

Abhishek Kurade, Rydges Christchurch Latimer, NZ

Jarod Senior, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, NSW

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Jack Johnson, Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, Fiji

Melissa Ward, Lancemore Macedon Ranges, VIC

30 – HUMAN RESOURCES ASSOCIATE

Sponsored by Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School

WINNER:

Katherine Ireland, Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific

Kimberly Ford, Cordis Auckland, NZ (in memoriam)

O’Shaye Lunn, Accor New Zealand

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Kim Garner, TFE Hotels

Petru Domingues, EVT New Zealand

31 – SALES AND MARKETING ASSOCIATE

Sponsored by Sealy Posturepedic

WINNER:

Clare Read, Eos by SkyCity, Adelaide, SA

Julie Lumsden, Accor New Zealand

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Lisa Breckon, Fable Hotels and Resorts New Zealand

Michael Fletcher, W Melbourne, VIC

32 – COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE

Sponsored by Travmedia

WINNER:

Chris Lee, QT Hotels & Resorts

Chris Waite, IHG Hotels & Resorts

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Angela Cowley, Eight Communications

Sally Yuen, Marriott International Fiji & Samoa

QT Hotels’ Chris Lee took home the award for Communications Association as well as the Rising Star title. Image credit: Considered Image

33 – FRONT OFFICE ASSOCIATE

Sponsored by Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School

WINNER:

Bjorn van Ginkel, QT Auckland, NZ

Diandra Noble, Ovolo The Valley, Brisbane, QLD

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Janani Munasinghe, The Sebel Auckland Manukau, NZ

Van Nguyen, Rydges Sydney Airport, NSW

34 – FINANCE ASSOCIATE

Sponsored by Hostplus

WINNER:

Rajnesh Kumar, Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort

Umesh Pathak, Nesuto

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Helen Ip, IHG Hotels & Resorts

Sumeet Raj, Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort

35 – REVENUE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATE

Sponsored by ARMA

WINNER:

Greg Campbell, Accor Queenstown properties, New Zealand

Suzette Gunn, Accor Hotels (CapitaLand Portfolio)

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Lilia Player, Nesuto New Zealand

Max Houri, Hilton Surfers Paradise, QLD

36 – HOUSEKEEPER

Sponsored by ahs hospitality

WINNER:

Cherie Mackay, The Wildlife Retreat at Taronga, NSW

Kim Haynes, QT Queenstown & Rydges Queenstown, NZ

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Carla Acosta, Pier One Sydney Harbour Autograph Collection, NSW

Rose Tubuitamana, Club Wyndham Denarau Island, Fiji

37 – HOTEL ENGINEER

Sponsored by Foxtel for Business

WINNER:

Aldo Sousa, InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, NSW

Alvyn Chandra, Club Wyndham Denarau Island, Fiji

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Andrew Porgas, DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka, NZ

Steve Luxford, Crown Sydney, NSW

38 – RISING STAR

Sponsored byHostplus

WINNER:

Chris Lee, QT Hotels & Resorts

Chris Purdy, Accor Apartments & Realty

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Jason Piper, Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley, NSW

Ruby Trafford, The Rees Hotel Queenstown, NZ

MAJOR AWARDS

39 – ASHLEY SPENCER SERVICE TO THE INDUSTRY AWARD

Sponsored by HM Magazine

RECIPIENT:

Sébastien Bazin, Accor

40 – SOUTH PACIFIC GENERAL MANAGER

Sponsored by Sealy Posturepedic

WINNER:

Justin King, Vomo Island Fiji

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Darren Shaw, Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, Fiji

Neeraj Chadha, Multi Property Vice President Pacific Islands, Marriott International

41 – NEW ZEALAND GENERAL MANAGER

Sponsored by Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School

WINNER:

Jeremy Samuels, Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa

Mark Rose, The Rees Hotel, Queenstown

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Doron Whaite, QT Auckland

Franz Mascarenhas, Cordis Auckland

42 – AUSTRALIAN GENERAL MANAGER

Sponsored by Sealy Posturepedic

WINNER:

Jodi Brown, EOS by SkyCity, Adelaide, SA

Mark Hodge, The Star Gold Coast, QLD

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Ajay Vaid, Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach & Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, NSW

Jane Lyons, Hyatt Regency Sydney, NSW

Eos by SkyCity Adelaide GM Jodi Brown accepting the award for Australian General Manager. Image credit: Considered Image

43 – SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

Sponsored by Sealy Posturepedic

WINNER:

Coogee Bay Boutique Hotel, Sydney NSW

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Crystalbrook Bailey, QLD

The Langham, Sydney, NSW

44 – HM AWARDS HALL OF FAME

Sponsored by HM Magazine

INDUCTEE:

-Brett Butcher, Langham Hospitality Group

45 – HOTEL BRAND

Sponsored by Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School

WINNER:

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts

Ovolo Hotels

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Crystalbrook

QT Hotels & Resorts

46 – ACCOMMODATION CHAIN

Sponsored by Hostplus

WINNER: Accor

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

IHG Hotels & Resorts

Hilton

47 – AUSTRALASIAN HOTEL

Sponsored by Sealy Posturepedic

WINNER:

Cordis Auckland

Crown Towers Sydney

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Park Hyatt Auckland, New Zealand

Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, NSW

48 – AUSTRALASIAN HOTELIER

Sponsored by HM Magazine

WINNER: David Mansfield, The Ascott Limited

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Leanne Harwood, IHG Hotels & Resorts

Sarah Derry, Accor

49 – ASIA-PACIFIC HOTELIER

Sponsored by HM Magazine

WINNER

Barry Robinson, Travel + Leisure

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Jeff Wagoner, Outrigger Hospitality Group

Rajeev Menon, Marriott International