Want a cold beer, a chat, advice on what to see in this great region, than go no further than Queensland’s best publican, John Klein.
“Kleiny”, as he’s known to most of those who walk through the doors of the iconic Victoria Hotel, has been honing his craft for more years than he probably cares to remember, but it all paid off last week at the Queensland Hotels Association awards night in Brisbane.
Not only did he win the individual award of Hotelier of the Year but his pride and joy, the Victoria Hotel also won “Best Traditional Hotel Bar” and “Best Pub-style accommodation”.
It’s the second year in a row the hotel has won both awards.
But in typical Kleiny fashion he was quick to share the praise.
“You can’t do it without great staff and they are all part of the reason why we got the awards,” he said.
“They all got a bonus this week and they deserve it.
And then of course, he thanked his wife, Michelle.
“She’s the reason (with her design skills) the place look so good inside and out,” he said.
Then there was special mention of two special people, his parents, Doris and Maurie Klein, two of the best publicans you would ever find who taught the young Klein everything he knows when they ran the Railway Hotel in Goondiwindi.
And finally he thanked all those who have walked through the doors at the Victora Hotel and had a beer.
“We wouldn’t be here without the support of our customers and all those who have supported us over the years.”
It’s a heartfelt thank you.
“It’s been a wild ride. When we took over the Vic it was probably one of the worst hotels in Queensland (It had become so rundown the building was under threat of demolition).
“We had to borrow a lot and then the GFC (Global Finacial Crisis) hit and the banks got tough. There were some tough roads for awhile.”
And then there’s now.
Where life is “pretty cool”.
And surprising.
“I thought about ringing today to check to see there hadn’t been a mistake,” John said about his award yesterday.
“It still hasn’t really sunk in”.
Why the Vic won best traditional bar: • Outstanding customer service • Bar presentation of the highest standard • Staff neatly and cleanly attired • Staff product knowledge • Efficiency of bar staff • Popularly patronised • Comfort for customers • Atmosphere, lighting, ambience • Range of promotional products • Availability and quality of food offering • Hygiene and cleanliness • Responsible service and practices.
Why it won best pub-style accommodation:
Clean, tidy, well presented rooms with or without ensuite facilities • High standard of cleanliness • Breakfast arrangements • Access to hotel’s other facilities (i.e. bar, bistro) • Courteous staff.
Want to know about some of the best hotels in Queensland? Here’s the full list of awards.
Best Traditional Hotel Bar - Victoria Hotel (Goondiwindi)
Best Boutique Bar - Sazerac (Brisbane CBD)
Best Themed Bar - The Walrus Club (Toowong)
Best Entertainment Venue - Eatons Hill Hotel
Best Bush Pub - Mena Creek Hotel
Best Outdoor / Non-Enclosed Facility - Grand View Hotel (Bowen)
Best On-Premise Liquor Outlet - Porters Plainland Hotel
Best Detached Bottleshop - Mossman Hotel Bottle-O Mossman
Responsible Service of Alcohol - Mon-Komo Hotel (Redcliffe)
Responsible Service of Gaming - Spirit Hotels Group
Best Keno Venue - Porters Plainland Hotel
Best PubTAB Venue - Eatons Hill Hotel
Best Gaming Venue Hope Island Tavern
Best Redeveloped Licensed Premises Up To $2m Grand View Hotel (Bowen)
Best Redeveloped Licensed Premised Above $2m - Pig ‘N’ Whistle Redbank Plains
Best Redeveloped Accommodation Hotel / Resort - Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas
Best Pub-Style Accommodation - Victoria Hotel (Goondiwindi)
Best Mid-Range Accommodation - Halifax Hotel
Best Superior Accommodation - Rydges South Bank Hotel
Best Boutique Accommodation - The New Inchcolm Hotel & Suites (Spring Hill)
Best Deluxe Accommodation - The Star Gold Coast
Best Suite / Apartment Accommodation - Meriton Suites Southport
Best Meeting & Events Venue - Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas
Best Casual Dining - Rodeo Bar & Grill, Isa Hotel
Best Prestige Restaurant - Kiyomi, The Star Gold Coast
Best Restaurant - Accommodation Hotels - Tumbling Stone, The Johnson (Spring Hill)
Best Restaurant – Hotels - The Boatshed, Regatta Hotel (Toowong)
Best Draught Beer - The Charming Squire (South Bank)
Best Environmental Practice - Hilton Hotel Brisbane
Best Marketed Hotel 1-99 Employees - Sandstone Point Hotel
Best Marketed Hotel 100+ Employees - Rydges South Bank Hotel
Outstanding Achievement in Training - Hilton Hotel Brisbane
Workplace Health & Safety Award - Spirit Hotels Group
Outstanding Community Service & Achievement 1-99 Employees - Next Hotels Brisbane
Outstanding Community Service & Achievement 100+ Employees - Hilton Hotel Brisbane
Hall of Fame - Best Bush Pub - New Royal Hotel (Rubyvale)
Hall of Fame - Best Boutique Accommodation Hotel - Spicers Tamarind Retreat (Maleny)
Hall of Fame - Best Meetings & Events Venue - RACV Royal Pines Resort
Hotel of the Year - Grand View Hotel (Bowen)
Hotelier of the Year - John Klein, Victoria Hotel (Goondiwindi)
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Administration Employee of the Year - Robynne Sondergeld, Red Earth Hotel (Mt Isa)
Food & Beverage Employee of the Year - Nicholas Stanton-Cook, Hotel Allen (Townsville)
Chef of the Year - Selvakumar Gopalakrishnan, Surfers Paradise Marriott Hotel
Guest Services Employee of the Year - Ilse Maritz, The Johnson (Spring Hill)
Finalists
BEST DRAUGHT BEER
Belvedere Hotel, Woody Point
Charming Squire, South Brisbane
Finn McCool’s, Fortitude Valley
Newstead Brewery Co, Milton
Pig ‘N’ Whistle, Redbank Plains
Prince Alfred Hotel, Booval
BEST TRADITIONAL HOTEL BAR
Beach House Hotel, Hervey Bay
Halifax Hotel, Halifax
Hotel Radnor, Blackbutt
The Belvedere Hotel, Woody Point
Victoria Hotel, Goondiwindi
BEST BOUTIQUE BAR
Court House Hotel, Port Douglas
Finn McCool’s, Fortitude Valley
Sazerac Bar at Four Points by Sheraton Brisbane
BEST THEMED BAR
Finn McCool’s, Fortitude Valley
Greaser Bar at the Elephant Hotel, Fortitude Valley
Irish Murphy’s, Brisbane
Tap’d at the Prince Alfred Hotel, Booval
The Sporting Globe, Chermside
The Walrus Club at the Regatta Hotel, Toowong
BEST ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
Beach House Hotel, Hervey Bay
Eatons Hill Hotel, Eaton's Hill
The Foundary BNE at the Elephant Hotel, Fortitude Valley
Finn McCool’s, Fortitude Valley
Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton
Sandstone Point Hotel, Sandstone Point
Sirromet Winery, Mt Cotton
The Court House Hotel, Port Douglas
BEST BUSH PUB
Exchange Hotel, Kilcoy
Halifax Hotel, Halifax
Hotel Radnor, Blackbutt
Mena Creek Hotel, Mena Creek
Pioneer Arms Hotel, Goombungee
BEST OUTDOOR/NON-ENCLOSED FACILITY
Grand View Hotel, Bowen
Next Hotels, Brisbane
Orion Hotel, Springfield
Sandstone Point Hotel, Sandstone Point
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa, Gold Coast
The Belvedere Hotel, Woody Point
BEST ON PREMISE LIQUOR OUTLET
Beachmere Hotel, Beachmere
Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
Eatons Hill Hotel, Eatons Hill
Isa Hotel, Mt Isa
Porters Plainland Hotel, Plainland
The Belvedere Hotel, Woody Point
BEST DETACHED BOTTLESHOP
Boondall Cellars at the Full Moon Hotel, Bramble Bay
Bottlemart at the Eatons Hill Hotel, Eatons Hill
Mossman Bottle-O at the Mossman Hotel, Mossman
Porters Plainland Cellars at Plainland Hotel, Plainland
Valley Wine Shop at The Elephant Hotel, Fortitude Valley
BEST KENO VENUE
Porters Plainland Hotel, Plainland
Sandstone Point Hotel, Sandstone Point
BEST PUB TAB VENUE
Beach House Hotel, Hervey Bay
Beachmere Hotel, Beachmere
Eatons Hill Hotel, Eatons Hill
Elephant Hotel, Fortitude Valley
Caxton Hotel, Paddington
Porters Plainland Hotel, Plainland
BEST GAMING VENUE
Beach House Hotel, Hervey Bay
Elephant Hotel, Fortitude Valley
Grand View Hotel, Bowen
Hope Island Tavern, Hope Island
Prince Alfred Hotel, Booval
Shamrock Hotel, Mackay
BEST REDEVELOPED LICENSED PREMISES UP TO $2M
Beachmere Hotel, Beachmere
Grand View Hotel, Bowen
Hotel Radnor, Blackbutt
Phuc Deli-Viet, West End
The Belvedere Hotel, Woody Point
The Montague Hotel, West End
BEST REDEVELOPED LICENSED PREMISES OVER $2M
Alexandra Hills Hotel, Alexandra Hills
Pig ‘N’ Whistle, Redbank Plains
BEST REDEVELOPED ACCOMMODATION HOTEL/RESORT
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas
The Star, Gold Coast
BEST PUB-STYLE ACCOMMODATION
Halifax Hotel, Halifax
New Royal Hotel, Rubyvale
Victoria Hotel, Goondiwindi
BEST MID-RANGE ACCOMMODATION
Halifax Hotel, Halifax
Hotel Radnor, Blackbutt
BEST SUPERIOR ACCOMMODATION
Holiday Inn Express Brisbane Central
Next Hotels, Brisbane
Park Regis North Quay, Brisbane
Rydges South Bank Hotel, South Brisbane
Rydges, Fortitude Valley
BEST BOUTIQUE ACCOMMODATION
The Johnson, Spring Hill
The New Inchcolm Hotel & Suites, Spring Hill
BEST DELUXE ACCOMMODATION
Alex Perry Hotel & Apartments, Fortitude Valley
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas
Sofitel Brisbane Central, Brisbane
Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort, Noosa
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa, Gold Coast
The Star, Gold Coast
BEST SUITE / APARTMENT ACCOMMODATION
Alex Perry Hotel & Apartments, Fortitude Valley
Essence Serviced Apartments, Chermside
Meriton Suites Herschel Street, Brisbane
Meriton Suites Southport, Gold Coast
The Johnson Art Series Hotel, Spring Hill
EMPLOYEE AWARDS
ADMINISTRATION
Brooke Byars, Marriott Hershel Street, Brisbane
Emma Renew, Morayfield Tavern, Morayfield
Kathleen Potter, Caxton Hotel, Paddington
Robynne Sondergeld, Red Earth Hotel, Mt Isa
Shaye Wolski, Hilton Brisbane
GUEST SERVICES
Fujio Shibata, Meriton Suites Southport, Gold Coast
Ilse Maritz, The Johnson, Spring Hill
Jack Dahl, Next Hotels, Brisbane
Jennifer Hill, The Glen Hotel & Suites, Eight Mile Plains
Richard Fidelj, Treasury, Brisbane
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Emma Tobler, Mon Komo Hotel, Redcliffe
Gemma Lesmond, Beach House Hotel, Hervey Bay
Ikue Terui, Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa, Gold Coast
Kimberley Cowper, Rydges South Bank Hotel, South Brisbane
Nicholas Stanton-Cook, Hotel Allen, Townsville
Shane Critchley, The Star, Gold Coast
CHEF
Justin Newbury, Rydges South Bank, South Brisbane
Selvakumar Gopalakrishnan, Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa, Gold Coast
Thisara Mallawa Arachchi, Red Earth Hotel, Mt Isa
BEST MEETINGS & EVENTS VENUE
Hotel Grand Chancellor, Brisbane
Hilton Brisbane
Rydges South Bank, South Brisbane
Sandstone Point Hotel, Sandstone Point
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa, Gold Coast
BEST CASUAL DINING
Beach House Hotel, Hervey Bay
Grand View Hotel, Bowen
Isa Hotel, Mt Isa
Jimmy’s on the Mall, Brisbane
Pig ‘n’ Whistle, Redbank Plains
Porters Plainland Hotel, Plainland
The Court House Hotel, Port Douglas
BEST PRESTIGE RESTAURANT
Bacchus at Rydges South Bank, Brisbane South
Kiyomi at The Star, Gold Coast
Misono Japanese Steakhouse at Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa, Gold Coast
Noosa Beach House Peter Kuruvita at Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort, Noosa
Restaurant Lurleen’s at Sirromet Winery, Mount Cotton
Thomson’s Reserve at The New Inchcolm Hotel & Suites, Spring Hill
BEST RESTAURANT – GENERAL HOTEL
Char Grill Restaurant at The Caxton Hotel, Paddington
Char’d Restaurant at the Prince Alfred Hotel, Booval
Deery’s Restaurant & Smokehouse at the Story Bridge Hotel, Brisbane
Dining Room at The Port Office Hotel, Brisbane
The Boatshed at The Regatta Hotel, Toowong
The Charming Squire, South Brisbane
BEST RESTAURANT – ACCOMMODATION HOTEL
Citrique Restaurant at Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa, Gold Coast
Clifford’s Grill & Lounge at Watermark Hotel & Spa, Gold Coast
Lennons Restaurant at Next Hotel, Brisbane
The Walnut Restaurant & Lounge Bar at the Royal on the Park Hotel, Brisbane
Tumbling Stone Restaurant at The Johnson Art Series Hotel, Spring Hill
