Geelong hotels vie for top award

NOVOTEL Geelong and Rydges Geelong are both vying for top honours in this month’s Victorian Accommodation Awards for Excellence.

Both venues are finalists in the Regional Accommodation of the Year award category.

Presented by Accommodation Australia, the awards recognise the breadth and diversity of Victoria’s accommodation offerings and acknowledge the venues that excel in delivering top-tier service and providing an exceptional customer experience.

Carmel Dalton, sales and marketing executive at Rydges Geelong said the hotel had undergone several refurbishments in recent years and was “looking better than ever”.

“We are really proud of how hard our team works to make sure every guest has a fantastic experience with us, so receiving industry recognition definitely puts a smile on our faces.

“It is genuine, friendly service and a can-do attitude that are the key measures we strive to achieve.

“We have a large number of return guests who are on first name basis with our team.

“We listen to what they want and really do go the extra mile to make their time with us feel like a home away from home.”

The hotel’s restaurant, Nautica Pool Bar & Kitchen has also been named a finalist in the Regional Hotel Restaurant of the Year award category.

Ms Dalton said the restaurant had become a social hub for Geelong, and credit for the recognition goes to head chef Richard Hooper.

“He has worked really hard on developing a menu that finds the perfect balance of something special and something you’d love to make for your friends and family.

“Our menu focuses on high quality, in season ingredients – it really is the food we love to eat at home, only better, because a great chef made it.”

She said the hotel’s “fantastic food and beverage offering” worked to set its service apart from other styles of accommodation, helping to drive “a real connection between guests”.

“They can catch up with colleagues over a great meal or they can have a chat with our team while they are away from home.

“Our barista knows how they like their coffee, and our bar team knows their favourite drink.”

Tempo Kitchen & Bar, situated along the waterfront within Novotel Geelong and led by head chef Erwin Joven, is also up for the Regional Hotel Restaurant of the Year award.

Opened late last year, Tempo’s menu is centred around high-quality, grill-orientated dishes done simply and authentically.

In a post on Facebook, a spokesperson for Novotel Geelong said the hotel was “thrilled” to be a finalist in the two categories at the prestigious awards.

“This recognition highlights our dedication to delivering exceptional service and the hard work of our fantastic team,” the post stated.

“It’s a true testament to our commitment to excellence in hospitality.

“A huge thank you to our amazing staff for their dedication and passion, and to our wonderful guests for their ongoing support and loyalty.

“We couldn’t have done it without you.”

The winners of this year’s Victorian Accommodation Awards for Excellence will be announced on Thursday, August 15 at a gala event in Melbourne.