Mirvac Hotels & Resorts’ CEO Andrew Turner wins……

Mirvac Hotels & Resorts’ CEO Andrew Turner has been named 2007 HM Magazine Hotelier of the Year in the prestigious hotel excellence awards ceremony held in Sydney on Friday 17th August.

The major award, in its inaugural year, was decided by the leading regional directors of international hotel chains across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific at the HM Awards, held at the University of Sydney which awarded properties, departments and people across 39 categories in front of over 350 industry guests.

Commenting on receiving the industry’s top award, Andrew Turner said, “Naturally I am delighted with this award, made even more meaningful by the voting process of my peers in the industry”.

“My full appreciation of this award however must also go to the professional team of talented people who work with me and the growing strength of our brands.”

“In the past 12 months we have successfully opened 13 hotels and resorts, which in any industry is no easy feat.”  “I could not have achieved this without their dedication and support.”  “I am proud to work for an Australian hotel company that competes on the world stage and am looking forward to another challenging year as we take our operations internationally”, he said.

HM Magazine awards are presented annually to showcase outstanding achievements within the hospitality and tourism industry.

Mirvac Hotels & Resorts has won most of the major HM awards including “Best Hotel Chain”, ‘Best Resort”, “Best Serviced Apartment”, “Best Business Hotel”, “Best Boutique Hotel” and “Best New Hotel”, as well as “Best Concierge”, “Best PR & Communications Member” and “Best Front Office Dept Member”.

This year was no exception with the industry recognising Angus Muffet from Quay Grand Suites Sydney as the best ‘Front Office Dept Member’ of the year and nominations going to; Angel Day at The Como Melbourne, for ‘Bar Team Member’, David Board, Quay Grand Suites Sydney for ‘Concierge’, Jeffrey Branch for ‘South Pacific Hotel Manager’ of the year (and who has been instrumental in raising funds for the schools in the Port Vila area) , Linda Sweeney, ‘PR & Communications’, Quay West Resort Bunker Bay for ‘Best Serviced Apartment’ of the year , Sea Temple Resort & Spa Palm Cove for ‘Best Resort’ and The Sebel Heritage Yarra Valley, nominated for ‘Best Regional Property’ of the year.

Mirvac Hotels & Resorts has 40 hotels and resorts, and just under 5,500 rooms across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific under such well known brands as The Sebel Hotels & Resorts, Quay West Suites & Resorts, Quay Grand Suites, The Como, Cairns International Hotel, Sea Temple Resorts & Spas, Sydney Marriott Hotel, The Sebel Residence and Citigate Hotels. They also own and/or operate 8 luxurious Day Spas and 4 award winning golf courses.

Report by The Mole