North West Tassie shines in annual hospitality awards

Tasmania’s best in tourism has been recognised in 2021’s THA awards with pubs, new accommodation ventures and restaurants named honoured as the best in the state. LIST OF WINNERS >>

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SMALL town pubs and major tourism businesses have both been recognised in this year’s THA awards.

The owners of the Stanley Hotel – which took out the Best Regional Hotel and Best Pub-Style Accommodation gong – said the number of award winners from the North West showed the spotlight was now firmly on that “amazing part of the world.”

THA Awards for Excellence winners, Kerry and Alastair Houston of the Ship Inn, Stanley. Picture: Chris Kidd

Accommodation and entertainment venue Ship Inn, also at Stanley, was recognised winning The Ship Inn was awarded Best Accommodation Venue of the Year – Regional and the Best Superior Accommodation in their first year being nominated.

Ship Inn at Stanley.

“We will be buying lots of chocolates for our staff. Stanley is just one of those places, it is so stunning with so much history and beauty. It feel like you are stepping back in time but with a modern luxury touch,” owner Kerry Houston said.

THA Awards for Excellence winners, Kurt and Ann Wyss of Bayviews Restaurant and Lounge Bar, Burnie. Picture: Chris Kidd.

Burnie restaurant Bayviews was named Best Fine Dining venue in another win owners Ann and Kirk Wyss said was unexpected.

Restaurant review, Bayviews Restaurant and Lounge Bar at Burnie.

The restaurant, on Burnie’s West Beach, also picked up the Restaurant of the Year and Best Themed Bar awards.

The Best Stand Alone Restaurant was awarded to Devonport’s Mrs Jones, Best Bistro Dining went to Launceston’s Black Cow Bistro, and Best Café to Hobart’s Johnstone & Miller.

The Federal Group paid tribute to its staff after picking up six awards.

MACq01 Hotel took home awards for Accommodation Venue of the Year – Metro and Best Accessible Accommodation.

THA Awards for Excellence winner, General Manager Federal Group Luxury Group Matt Casey. Picture: Chris Kidd.

Federal Group General Manager Matt Casey said the group had put a lot of effort into not disadvantaging one part of the market and allowing everyone to take in the whole location.

“Federal Group is the largest hospitality business in the state, and we pride ourselves on delivering world-class experiences to visitors from far and wide across our entire suite of properties,” Mr Casey said.

More than 350 nominations were received and judged across the 42 categories.

THA CEO Steve Old said the quality of the nominations were a testament to the Tasmanian industry.

Many of the Award winners will represent Tasmania at the Australian Hotels Association 2021 national awards to be held in Hobart in September.

A full list of winners can be found on the THA website.