2016 Australian Hotel Awards: The Winners

Hotel of The Year: Como The Treasury, WA

There’s much to admire in this extraordinary reimagining of three colonial-era buildings by celebrated Perth architect Kerry Hill. The restrained elegance of Como The Treasury’s 48 rooms and suites; the uplifting beauty of its grand public spaces; the sophisticated service; the eight eateries and bars including Thai masterchef David Thompson’s Long Chim. A great Australian hotel is born. comohotels.com

Finalists: The Langham Sydney, NSW; The Old Clare Hotel, NSW.

New Hotel of the Year: Como The Treasury, WA

Amid an influx of exciting properties opening their doors around Australia, Como Hotels & Resorts’ debut Australian property impressed us most: a fastidious, $110 million restoration that blends Neo-Renaissance flourishes with warm, West Australian hospitality to create a hotel stay that is unique in this country, and exceptional in many ways. comohotels.com

Finalists: The Old Clare Hotel, NSW; Primus Hotel Sydney, NSW.

Large Hotel of the Year: Crown Towers, Melbourne Vic

What’s most remarkable about this 38-storey tower on the banks of Melbourne’s Yarra River is that, two decades on, the service and facilities remain so consistently nonpareil, regardless of whether you’re staying in an entry-level room or an extravagant “villa”. With a full roster of guest facilities and some of Australia’s – and the world’s – most respected restaurateurs on site, it’s easy to understand why Crown Towers leads Australia’s large hotels. crownmelbourne.com.au

Finalists: Primus Hotel Sydney, NSW; Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Vic

Boutique Hotel of the Year: The Old Clare Hotel, NSW

Singaporean hotelier Loh Lik Peng’s four-year labour of love transformed a neglected slice of Sydney’s inner city into its most happening quarter. The Old Clare’s distinctive personality blends heritage bones with intriguing interiors of recycled luxury and cult labels. With 62 super-cool rooms, three of the city’s sharpest new restaurants, rooftop pool and bar and a day spa due to open in early 2017, there’s much to look forward to. theoldclarehotel.com.au

Finalists: Hotel Hotel, ACT; The Langham Sydney, NSW.

Regional Hotel of the Year: Halcyon House, Cabarita, NSW

Another outstanding renewal. A 1960s surfer motel on the NSW north coast emerges as a fashionable seaside resort in the European style. Its hallmarks are gorgeous design – custom-made fabric walls, handpainted tiles – terrific food and wine, and a prized seafront position. Halcyon’s irresistible vision blends the wild beauty of Cabarita Beach withla dolce vitaof the Bay of Naples. halcyonhouse.com.au

Finalists: Lake House, Vic; Pumphouse Point, Tas.

Best Service: Halcyon House, Cabarita, NSW

Under the eye of perfectionist general manager Mauro De Riso there are moments when Halcyon House feels more like a smart resort in the Med than a jazzed-up motel on the Australian coast. From the welcome note and personalised itinerary to the effortless dining experience at chic Paper Daisy restaurant, service is always as sharp as De Riso’s suits. halcyonhouse.com.au

Finalists: Crown Towers, VIC; The Old Clare Hotel, NSW.

Best Breakfast: Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Vic

The Collins Street five-star gets best-in-buffet again for the sheer scale and consideration of its morning routine. Not only are most ingredients proudly Victorian grown and made, many dishes are prepared on the spot for in the lobby restaurant, Collins Kitchen. It’s delicious to behold. melbourne.grandhyatt.com

Finalists: Hotel Hotel, ACT; Spicers Balfour Hotel, Qld.

Best Pool: Crown Metropol, VIC

In real-estate parlance, this is what you’d call a sub-penthouse pool. On the 27th floor of the 28-storey Crown Metropol in Melbourne, this watery playground has vast panoramas of the metropolis below. The pool is 25 metres long, 28 degrees warm, infinity-edged and ringed with daybeds and double loungers to create the ultimate urban sanctuary. crownmelbourne.com.au

Finalists: The Old Clare Hotel, NSW; QT Port Douglas, Qld.

Best Bar: Hotel Palisade, Sydney, NSW

It’s not so much about the food or the drinks, though we’d definitely recommend the spiced Negroni. The real reason everyone is flocking to Hotel Palisade is for those dizzying, dazzling, 360-degree views of Sydney from the split-level Henry Deane bar. Dress to impress, and don’t forget the camera. hotelpalisade.com

Finalists: Hotel Hotel, ACT; Ovolo Woolloomooloo, NSW

Best Club Sandwich: QT Sydney

Delivered in a black wooden box, the QT Sydney club is at once tasteful and tasty. And a little unorthodox: three long planks of barley malt bread layered with turkey, crisp, shattery prosciutto, melting Swiss cheese, aioli and a perfectly soft-boiled egg. As club sandwiches go, it’s one of out of the box. qtsydney.com.au

Finalists:The Langham Sydney, NSW; Crown Towers, VIC.

Best Minibar: QT Hotels & Resorts

This year our best minibar award goes to not one hotel but six (and shortly, seven – when QT Melbourne opens in August). QT Hotels get our gong for putting the fun back into in-room entertaining. Hence the “emergency” bow-ties, inflatable beach balls in a can and hipster-friendly beard-trimming kits offered alongside premium booze and snacks. qthotelsandresorts.com

Finalists: MONA Pavilions, Tas; Pumphouse Point, Tas