Award attracts customers as well as kudos

Ibis Adelaide took home the property industry’s top tourism honour in June, and since then has caught the attention of corporate customers, says the hotel’s general manager, Jeremy Samuels.

The 311-room, $70 million Ibis Adelaide was presented with the Brain & Poulter Award for Best Tourism and Leisure Development at the Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards, with the judges declaring it represented the new face of low-cost hotels.

The first purpose-built economy hotel in the CBD for more than two decades, Ibis Adelaide provides a major boost to a tourism sector dominated by four and five star hotels.

Property Council chief executive Ken Morrison says the hotel’s unique design was the key to its winning entry.

“The judges were impressed with the business model too, which matches good design and technology with affordability. The project is unlike anything else seen in Adelaide’s CBD,” Morrison says.

Jeremy Samuels, general manager of Ibis Adelaide, says the award was the hotel’s second national accolade, with the third notched up just last week.

“We are very proud of what we’ve achieved here. To get recognition not only from the hospitality industry, but from the property industry is very important to our business,” Samuels says.

“This award tells people that they are walking into a quality establishment – one that is truly innovative. This is particularly important when we are trying to attract corporate clients.”

James Hines, managing director of Hines Property, which developed and owns the hotel, says the award is great recognition of his company’s expertise in hotel developments – and all the hard work of all those involved.

“The award broadens the reach of our hotel,” Hines says.

“Since receiving the award, we’ve had large corporate client bookings that might ordinarily have chosen to stay in 4.5 or 5 star accommodation.

“Financially-successful hotel developments are few are far between. With each hotel we have built, we have improved the development model and in turn the outcome for our group.”

Hines Property has now developed more than 800 hotel rooms in its 14-year history, and is now the largest owner of hotel accommodation in the Adelaide market.

Next year, a record 19 categories, plus the Rider Levett Bucknall Australian Development of the Year, will be awarded. The Award for Diversity will be split into two categories, based on the number of employees within the nominating organisation.

Submitting a nomination for the national awards provides automatic entry into the State Development of the Year, with the exception of the Future Leader of the Year, Diversity and Innovation award categories.

For the first time, the State Development of the Year will be celebrated at a cocktail party in every major city in the lead-up to the national gala dinner at one of Sydney’s newest venues, the International Convention Centre on Friday 5 May 2017.

Nominations are open until 30 November. Check out the hints and tips to help you get started with your nomination.