Vibrancy and excitement were abundant at the highly anticipated 2025 QHA Awards for Excellence, held in Brisbane on 30 June 2025.
Celebrating the influence of pubs and hotels on Queensland’s booming live music scene, the gala was steeped in rock and roll décor and attended by more than 1,500 industry superstars, making it the biggest and most beloved awards gala yet.
Congratulations to the rockstars of the hospitality industry announced on the night.
2025 QHA Awards for Excellence Winners
- Hall of Fame – Best Hotel Bar Accommodation Division: Iris Rooftop, Hotel X (Fortitude Valley)
- Hall of Fame – Best Detached Bottleshop: The Full Moon Hotel – Bottlemart Boondall (Sue’s Korner)
- Hall of Fame – Best Mid-Range Accommodation: Sandstone Point Holiday Resort
- Best Bistro – Metropolitan: The Full Moon Hotel (Shorncliffe)
- Best Bistro – Regional: Porters Plainland Hotel
- Best Hotel Bar – Accommodation Division: Oaks Cairns Hotel
- Best Hotel Bar – General Division – Metropolitan: Chattahoochee Joe’s Honky Tonk Bar (Fortitude Valley)
- Best Hotel Bar – General Division – Regional: Porters Plainland Hotel
- Best Outdoor/Non-Enclosed Facility: Jacobs Well Hotel
- Best Sporting Entertainment Venue: Burleigh Town Hotel
- Best TAB Licensed Venue: The Imperial Hotel, (Eumundi)
- Best Redeveloped Hotel – Accommodation Division: Meriton Suites Broadbeach
- Best Redeveloped Hotel – General Division: Hotel Commonwealth (Ipswich)
- Front of House Employee of the Year – Accommodation Division: James Sweeney, Meriton Suites Broadbeach
- Front of House Employee of the Year – General Division: Shannon Stickells, Spicers Hidden Vale
- Employee Excellence in Service – Accommodation Division: Krityona Mehrotra, Sea World Resort
- Employee Excellence in Service – General Division: Matilda Duggan, Howard Smith Wharves
- Hotel Industry Rising Star: Sarah Hansen, QT Gold Coast
- Best Hotel or Pub Style Accommodation: Porters Plainland Hotel
- Best Suite/Apartment Hotel: The Langham, Gold Coast
- Best Mid-Range Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Brisbane
- Best Superior Accommodation: QT, Gold Coast
- Best Deluxe Accommodation: The Calile Hotel
- Best Marketed Hotel – General Division: The Beach Hotel, Townsville
- Best Marketed Hotel – Accommodation Division: Hotel X (Fortitude Valley)
- Best Entertainment Venue: Kings Beach Tavern (Caloundra)
- Best Late-Night Venue: Chattahoochee Joe’s Honky Tonk Bar (Fortitude Valley)
- Best Family Dining: The Doonan
- Best Restaurant – Accommodation Division: Yamagen, QT Gold Coast
- Best Restaurant – General Division – Metropolitan: Blackbird Bar, Dining & Events (Brisbane)
- Best Restaurant – General Division – Regional: The Woombye Pub
- Chef of the Year: Brad Casey, The Glen Hotel (Eight Mile Plains)
- Best Retail Liquor Outlet: Eatons Hill Hotel
- Best Detached Bottleshop: Black Sheep Bottle Shop – Everton Hills
- Best Draught Beer: Regatta Hotel (Toowong)
- Best Environmental & Energy Efficiency Practice: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas
- Best Gaming Venue – Metropolitan: Mermaid Waters Hotel
- Best Gaming Venue – Regional: Beach House Hotel (Hervey Bay)
- Best Meeting & Events Venue: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas
- Best Tourism Initiative: Sandstone Point Holiday Resort
- Keno Outstanding Community Service & Achievement – Accommodation: Division: Hotel X (Fortitude Valley)
- Keno Outstanding Community Service & Achievement – General Division: Howard Smith Wharves
- Responsible Service of Alcohol: The Caxton Hotel (Petrie Terrace)
- Responsible Service of Gaming: Porters Plainland Hotel
- Outstanding Achievement in Training: Howard Smith Wharves
- Best Hotel Group Operator: Kickon Group
- Overall Hotel of the Year – Accommodation Division: The Calile Hotel (Fortitude Valley)
- Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional: Porters Plainland Hotel
- Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan: The Brook Hotel (Mitchelton)
- Hotelier of the Year: Les Pullos, Royal George Hotel