Spicers Group produces finalists in seven other categories

Spicers Hidden Vale in Grandchester has further sealed its reputation as one of the state’s best accommodation experiences, winning the Deluxe Accommodation category of the 2012 Queensland Tourism Awards.

The property took out the award on Friday night during a gala ceremony held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The win capped off a stellar evening for the Spicers Retreats, Hotels & Lodges group, which also had seven finalist placings across numerous categories including four boutique properties all being finalists in the hotly contested Luxury Accommodation category – the Scenic Rim’s Spicers Peak Lodge, the Sunshine Coast’s Spicers Tamarind Retreat and Spicers Clovelly Estate and Brisbane’s Spicers Balfour Hotel.

Spicers was also a finalist in the Health & Wellbeing Tourism category for Spa Anise at Spicers Tamarind Retreat in Maleny; the Unique Accommodation award for Spicers Canopy in the Scenic Rim; and the Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services award for The Long Apron Restaurant at Spicers Clovelly Estate in Montville.

Spicers CEO Danielle Duell said the multi-award winning Spicers Peak Lodge winning the Luxury Accommodation award in 2011 and 2010, had inspired the whole team to excel further this year.

“The visitor experience enjoyed across the group this year has set new benchmarks and it is wonderful to see all of our properties lauded this year and for Spicers Hidden Vale’s team’s hard work to be recognised as one of Queensland’s most outstanding accommodation experiences.

“Our overarching vision this year was to grow our award-winning reputation, to improve our high level of personalised service and to further enhance our guests’ experience by developing and refining the product offering. We are very proud of our team’s achievements and thank the Queensland Tourism Industry Council for this recognition.

“We’d also like to thank our owners Graham and Jude Turner for helping the entire Spicers team forge new experiences for our guests in magnificent surroundings.”

Spicers Hidden Vale, which took out the Deluxe Accommodation award, is a country retreat located on a 12 000 acre working farm in Grandchester - just an hour’s drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

“We are very proud to win this award and have worked hard to provide our guests with an experience which combines a taste of the bush with a touch of luxury,” General Manager Cieran Maxwell said.

“Our team’s mission is to enable our guests to escape the city, have space to roam free and to experience unique Australian landscapes, adventure, food, history and country charm without compromising on comfort.”

In fact, Spicers Hidden Vale feels like a little country village in itself – with a long tree-lined driveway leading past the animal nursery and paddocks to a central homestead (housing the restaurant, lounge and bar) and then surrounded by clusters of colonial-style cottages, each with breathtaking views of the Lockyer Valley.

With an onsite day spa, tennis court, two swimming pools, archery field, three function centres, as well as over 50 kilometres of walking and mountain bike tracks, there is something to keep everyone entertained.

“We cater for a wide variety of experiences here – from family groups looking to go horse-riding or mountain-biking together, to romantic candle-lit dinners, to conferences and weddings. We are particularly looking forward to Summer with Sunday Jazz, family farmstays and kids club activities due to commence in December,” Mr Maxwell said.