Are Media has announced the launch of the inaugural Gourmet Traveller Hotel and Travel Awards, celebrating the best hotel and travel experiences to be found across Australia.
An exciting first from the country’s top luxury travel brand, entries are now open with award categories spanning the tourism industry. The prestigious list of Australia’s best will be revealed in May, with one property set to be crowned Gourmet Traveller Hotel of the Year.
Leading hotels of all sizes are invited to enter the awards, which will comprise three key categories: Hotel of the Year, Boutique Hotel of the Year and Resort of the Year.
While the Hotel of the Year award is open to properties of all sizes across Australia, Boutique Hotel of the Year is limited to hotels with fewer than 50 rooms and Resort of the Year is open to coastal and rural properties and lodges in regional or remote locations.
The awards will also recognise the country’s Best New Hotel and Best Hotel Dining, as well as crown the Cruise Line of the Year.
A panel of luxury travel experts will judge the awards, led by Gourmet Traveller editor Joanna Hunkin.
“Australia has its own style and perspective when it comes to luxury travel and we want to celebrate the properties that work so hard to capture that, delivering unique, singular experiences,” said Hunkin.
“The world is full of beautiful hotels that are indistinguishable from their international counterparts. That’s not what these awards are about. We are looking for the hotels that create a sense of place and share an Australian sensibility, while still delivering world-class service”.
Gourmet Traveller readers will also have their say when the People’s Choice Awards open in January, with categories including Airline of the Year, Best Loyalty Program and Favourite Hotel Brand.
“We are thrilled to announce this prestigious new addition to Are Media’s 2025 line up. Next year is set to be a huge one for Are Media’s luxury group with the Gourmet Traveller Hotel and Travel Awards serving the first taste of what’s to come,” said Are Media general manager, Luxury, Nicky Briger.
“Our luxury titles are produced by people with decades of experience in their fields, people who are bound by a shared passion to uncover the new, now, next and best for our discerning audiences who are hungry for information. The luxury group speaks to this collective audience of over 1.1 million seeking prestige fashion, beauty, food, dinning and luxury travel”.
“The Gourmet Traveller Hotel and Travel Awards will attract an audience primed for high-end brands, presenting a unique way to deliver real value and drive results for our audiences and partners. Partnership opportunities available,” she said.
Winners will be announced in the special June 2025 issue of Gourmet Traveller, which will be dedicated to celebrating the best of Australia. In addition to winners being announced, a list of Australia’s best hotels will be published on gourmettraveller.com.au with reviews written by the discerning judging panel.
