QT Hotels and Resorts success at 2014 Hotel Management Awards.

By Sas Lyon

With a record 3000+ entries, and a glamorous night held at the Sydney Town Hall, the 2014 Hotel Management Awards were always going to be an exceptional event in the accommodation industry calendar. They did not disappoint and held us their captive audience from the grandeur of the Awards to the late night after party at QT Sydney’s Gilt Lounge.

Aimed at recognising the stars of the Aus/NZ and Asia/Pac hotel industry, both in terms of the properties and also the people, this gala is now in its 13th year and winning a nod is an aspirational goal for the modern hotelier. Revelling in the success of the industry that supports them, Hotel Management Magazine pinpoints the very best on offer in a myriad of categories including Best Boutique Hotel which was won by our very own QT Sydney this year, and Best Interior Design was also taken out by a QT property with QT Canberra the winner on the night.

Perhaps the most important point to note about this industry night-of-nights is the categories for potential wins and how these categories reflect the new breed of hotels in Australia with a focus not only on the traditional bars (QT Gold Coasts runaway success Stingray Lounge Bar took out a highly commended gong in the Best Hotel Bar category) and spas, but also interior design and even Best Tech Hotel which was awarded to QT Sydney.

Boutique properties are at the forefront of the Australian hotel revolution that sees us focussing on the hotel bar as the true beating heart of the property and the hotel restaurant not being a room service extension, but rather a stand alone dining experience celebrated not only by guests but also by local foodies. Hotels are now a place where leisure and business mix as people blend both aspects of their lives.

QT Hotels and Resorts are now firmly ingrained in the Australian design hotel movement with locations in Sydney, Canberra, Gold Coast, Port Douglas, Falls Creek, and with opening slated for the iconic location of Bondi Beach (2015) and Melbourne (2016). QT winning the highly commended award for Hotel Brand cements that the domestic market is ready for a breath of fresh air.