Awards

Recognition of Excellence Awards

Thorngrove is celebrating 28 years as a member of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World™. The SLH portfolio has members in 80 countries. Every hotel is inspected and vetted each year by trained mystery inspectors. The stringent mystery inspections include 750 criteria, examined over a 2 night stay.

Thorngrove is unique in the portfolio in that it is run solely by the owners and accommodation is exceptionally limited. The inspection criteria makes no allowance for size or location. The unique mystery inspection programme ensures properties maintain the highest of standards within the group.

For many years with continual upgrades and training, Thorngrove has maintained results within the 90th percentile and exceeded the brand average. The brand affiliation has enabled global marketing and created a small scale luxury niche for accommodation in the Adelaide Hills.

It is an extraordinary achievement to retain membership and continue to score so highly.

This year, as a result of the latest inspection, Kenneth and I both received Recognition of Excellence Certificates. In previous years Kenneth has received awards, but this is the first time, we both were recipients. As members with some of the best and renowned global small luxury hotels this is an extraordinary achievement. The results are tangible proof that size and independence does not limit achievement on a global stage. The brand affiliation has ensured that standards must always continue to increase to retain membership.

“Dear Mr and Mrs Lehmann,
As a brand proud of its luxury hotel affiliations and with customers and partners relying on our judgement of the ‘luxury experience’, it is an important factor for Small Luxury Hotels of The World™ to have a strong programme that measures quality. We are confident that you will agree that a rigorous inspection programme is paramount to the process of only associating SLH with the most unique and luxurious small hotels in the market.
Our inspector has recently completed a ‘mystery inspection’ of your property where all aspects of the stay experience were taken into consideration. We are delighted to inform you that your hotel passed the inspection with an overall score of 96.2%.
Congratulations on achieving an excellent score. As you read in the report, the inspector felt very welcome and very honoured to be at your property. The inspector was amazed not just about the property but also the magnificent, manicured grounds. In her own words, the dining experience was exquisite and the architecture of your hotel is truly amazing.
We would like to recognise the noteworthy members of your hotel that have been mentioned in the ‘Employee Recognition’ section at the top of the report. “Both Kenneth and Nydia are to be commended on such an amazing job they do each day”. Please see attached your Recognition of Excellence certificates to display at your property.”

Gold List 2022 Award

Congratulations, Star Ratings Australia has proudly announced Thorngrove Manor Hotel as a 2022 Gold List achiever for:

The Gold List is exclusive to Star Rated properties and recognises those properties that have achieved the highest Travellers’ Rating using Review Pro’s guest intelligence solution. By making it to the Gold List you are demonstrating your commitment to consistently exceeding your guest’s expectations.
Once again, congratulations on such a fantastic achievement.

TiCSA: Tourism Industry Council South Australia

Gold List 2021 Award

“We are pleased to announce the 2021 Star Ratings Gold List Winners for South Australia. Congratulations, Star Ratings Australia has proudly announced Thorngrove Manor Hotel as a 2021 Gold List achiever within the Hosted Accommodation category. Congratulations on your National win as well!
The Gold List is exclusive to Star Rated properties and recognises those properties that have achieved the highest Travellers’ Ratings. By making it to the Gold List you are demonstrating your commitment to consistently exceeding your guest’s expectations.

The Gold List is exclusive to Star Rated properties, and it celebrates those businesses who have achieved the highest online consumer review scores within the last financial year.

These businesses have demonstrated their ongoing commitment to consistently exceed guest expectations, despite the challenges that the last 18 months have presented.”

Gold List 2020 Award

The Gold List is exclusive to Star Rated properties, celebrating those businesses which hold themselves to independent quality standards and achieve the highest online consumer review scores.

These businesses have demonstrated their ongoing commitment to consistently exceed guest expectations, despite the challenges that 2020 has presented.

Smaller boutique properties were again amongst National achievers in 2020, with Thorngrove Manor in the Adelaide Hills earning top honours in the hosted accommodation category.

2020 Finalists

Finalists have been announced in 41 categories for the 2020 HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence

The HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence, are the leading industry awards in the region and celebrate the best properties, departments, people, chains and brands in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. Each year, more than 1,500 nominations are assessed to determine more than 40 category winners.

HM Awards founder and chief judge, James Wilkinson, said the calibre of entries this year was outstanding.

The judging panel is made up of over 20 leading travel writers, industry consultants, association heads and selected leading suppliers, they decide the finalists and subsequently the winners and highly commended recipients.

“It has been the most challenging year in history for the Australasian accommodation industry.”

10 – HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGN
•Citadines Connect Sydney Airport, NSW
•Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley, NSW
•Crowne Plaza Sydney Coogee Beach, NSW
•Hotel Chadstone Melbourne, MGallery by Sofitel, VIC
•Hotel Realm, Canberra, ACT
•InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, QLD
•InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, NSW
•Novotel Brisbane South Bank, QLD
•Novotel Sydney Parramatta, NSW
•Ovolo 1888 Darling Harbour, NSW
•Ovolo Nishi, Canberra, ACT
•Ovolo The Valley, Brisbane, QLD
•Ovolo Woolloomooloo, NSW
•Pier One Sydney Harbour Hotel, NSW
•Pullman Sydney Airport, NSW
•The Calile Hotel, Brisbane, NSW
•The Ritz-Carlton, Perth, WA
•The Sebel Sydney Manly Beach, NSW
•Thorngrove Manor Hotel, Stirling, SA
•Vibe Hotel Sydney Darling Harbour, NSW
•Wildlife Retreat at Taronga Zoo, Mosman, NSW
•Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, TAS

11 – BOUTIQUE HOTEL
•Emporium Hotel South Bank, Brisbane, QLD
•Grand Mercure Basildene Manor, Margaret River, WA
•Harbour Rocks Hotel Sydney – MGallery by Sofitel, NSW
•Lindenderry Red Hill by Lancemore, VIC
•Little Albion, a Crystalbrook Collection Hotel, Surry Hills, NSW
•Mayfair Hotel, Adelaide, SA
•Mount Lofty House, Crafers, SA
•Ovolo 1888 Darling Harbour, NSW
•Ovolo Laneways, Melbourne, VIC
•Ovolo Nishi, Canberra, ACT
•Ovolo The Valley, Brisbane, QLD
•Ovolo Woolloomooloo, NSW
•Peppers Craigieburn Resort, Bowral, NSW
•QT Sydney, NSW
•The William Inglis Hotel – MGallery By Sofitel, Warwick Farm NSW
•Thorngrove Manor Boutique Hotel, Stirling, SA
•Wildlife Retreat at Taronga Zoo, Mosman, NSW
•Zagame’s House, Melbourne, VIC

____________________________

Thorngrove Manor has been Highly Commended in the ‘Most Intimate Bedroom’ award category of the SLH Awards 2020 !

SLH is the proud champion of the most incredible community of independently minded hotels in the world, and it’s a great achievement to have stood out amongst them all.

This year the awards were voted for by a panel of experts from the worlds of luxury, travel, wellbeing and cuisine – Simon Leadsford (Publisher, Conde Nast Traveller), Katy Simpson (CEO, Noble Isle Fine Fragrance), Dominique Crenn (3 Michelin-starred chef, Atelier Crenn in San Francisco), Gary Allen (Managing Director, Luxury Travel Media) and Carol Duval-Leroy (Owner, Champagne Duval-Leroy).

2017

The Gold List is exclusive to official Star Rated properties.
It is for those properties that achieve the highest Travellers’ Rating score that become part of the Gold List.
By making it to the Gold List you are demonstrating your commitment to consistently exceeding your guests’ expectations.
Thorngrove Manor is a Gold List winner of the National, State & Regional award, congratulations!

2016

• The Brand SA Regional Awards
  18/10/16 Southern and Hills Region
  People’s Choice Award.

• 2016 Hotel & Spa Awards – Most Enchanting Hotel – Adelaide & LUX Recommended: Most Characteristic Hotel 2016

• Star Ratings Gold List of Australian Accommodation.

• HM Awards for Hotel Accommodation Excellence – selected as a finalist in the Hotel Interior Design category (new or refurbished hotel). Thorngrove is the only privately owned finalist. Click on the article below to read about it.

• Haute Award 2015 Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Award – July 2015 “Thorngrove Manor Hotel the has been shortlisted to win a Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Award in 2016. The hotel has done well in the evaluation process and received a significant high score.
• VENTURE Magazine focuses on the Top 10 list of Australia’s most amazingly unique hotels and we have chosen Thorngrove Manor Hotel to be included.

• STAYZ Winner SA Most Romantic Accommodation
• Seven Star Global Luxury Awards take this opportunity to congratulate you on Thorngrove Manor Hotel being nominated for the coveted “Signum Virtutis”, the Seal of Excellence. Being nominated in the Seven Star Global Luxury Awards is a tremendous achievement in itself as we only select from the very best.
• Small Luxury Hotels of the World  was named the World’s Leading Boutique Hotel Brand at the 21st World Travel Awards held this month. The awards, hailed as the ‘Oscars of the travel industry’ celebrate organisations that push the boundaries of industry excellence. Small Luxury Hotels of the World was also awarded World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Website for the third consecutive year at the event which was attended by international hospitality industry leaders.
  These awards build on the recent success at the British Travel Awards, which took place in London in November, where SLH collected Best Worldwide Luxury Hotel Brand.

2014

• 20 HOTELS WORTH TRAVELLING TO AUSTRALIA FOR !
  Yes Thorngrove is on the list with some amazing hotels – most are resorts and eco locations. We are so proud to be in the Adelaide Hills.
  If hotel hopping isn’t a thing yet, it’s about to be. While holidays are typically driven by a desire to visit a destination, greater emphasis is now placed on visiting extraordinary or dream hotels, some of which happen to be smack bang in the middle of Australia’s most spectacular locations. www.hotelclub.com/mktg/epic-australian-hotels
• The Advertiser, Adelaide. BEST PLACES WE”VE STAYED. SA Weekend. Truly Magical!stayz logo-14A-C01ASTAYZ Awards.
• Winner South Australia, Most Romantic Accommodation.

2013

• International 7 star Global Luxury Award. Celebrating Thorngrove’s nomination for an International Hotel Award -The International 7 star Global Luxury Award 2015. It is always amazing to accept such nominations as acknowledgement of our commitment and passion..
• STAYZ Awards
  Australian Finalist Most Romantic Accommodation.

• Small Luxury Hotels. As a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World since 1995, It is with great pride that the group’s achievements have once again been recognized globally. Small Luxury Hotels of the World have been awarded The World’s Leading Boutique Hotel Brand along with the World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Brand Website at the World Travel Awards which were held in Delhi, India on 12th December 2012. SLH also been honoured by Business Traveller USA as 2012’s Best Global Boutique Hotel Chain.
• STAYZ Awards. Most Romantic Accommodation, South Australia.

2011

• Adelaide Advertiser. WOW a great year of recognition for us. The Advertiser’s Adelaide Magazine rated us as the Best Escape 2011. We think the hills are the best place in the world to live and work. It inspires us and it is passion and commitment to promote this amazing place!
• SA Regional Awards. FINALIST 12th Annual Advantage SA Regional Awards 2011(Hills & Coasts)in the category of ARTS (Kenneth & his architectural art)
• 2011 – 101 Amazing Hotels -2011 Hotel.com. We have scoured the globe to find the most extraordinary hotels – this collection truly displays the amazing creativity of individuals! Thorngrove Manor is currently in the top 10!
• A copy of ‘Luxury Hotels-Top of the World’ arrived. The editors selected, “the world’s most beautiful and spectacular hotels” -with The Ritz on the cover, no less. There are only 2 Australian properties, with Thorngrove being the smallest; actually minuscule in size, compared to the others. We are both humbled and honoured to be included in the publisher’s selection. It is an enormous achievement for us personally to have such famous stable mates and to be recognised in this global publication. Having a unique style and operational niche is a difficult, and always has been, but when such recognition comes along, it is even more special. We are totally elated, as it is just so extraordinary that such a small scale property, with such limited guest numbers, would even be considered for inclusion in such a publication.

2010

• Guardian Newspaper. Guardian Travel UK newspaper “Been There” 10 top Australian hotels
• Take a Break Awards. Winner SA Unique Accommodation.

2009

• HM Awards for Hotel Accommodation Excellence – selected as a finalist in the Unique Accommodation category. Thorngrove is the only privately owned finalist and only SA property.
• Relais & Chateau – Second invitation to join Relais &Chateau.
• Fodor’s 2009 – Thorngrove Manor is the only accommodation listed in the Adelaide Hills. The review: This romantic folly of turrets and towers is Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous written large. Opulent suites, set amid glorious gardens, have different decorative themes: a four poster bed carved with heraldic lions is the centre piece of the tapestry and brocade-draped Queen’s Chambers, and there are 1860 Scottish stained-glass windows and a Hapsburg piano in the King’s Chambers. All the suites have entrances that ensure total privacy.

• Bride To Be magazine – Top 10 first nights-B2BS 10 best and favourite places to go stay.
• Relais & Chateaux, Assessment and invitation join the prestigious Relais &Chateaux hotel group.
• Premiere of Bollywood movie, Love Story 2050. Thorngrove featured as the home of the Professor Yahinder Khanna. Starring Priyanka Chopra, Harman Barweja and Boman Irani

• Virtual Australia (virtual Oceania)- Best South Australian Boutique Hotel accommodation.

2006

• Participation in the Australian Open Garden Scheme, “featuring Australia’s most inspiring and best private gardens.” for the Stirling Library Building Fund
• Featured in Antiques &Collectables magazine.
• Scenes from the first futuristic Bollywood movie “Love Story 2050” filmed.

2005

• “Great Small Hotels” is a splendid collection of hotels with unique personality the world over. All magnificent ways to interpret luxury.” Thorngrove is one of only six Australian hotels selected for this prestigious European hotel architecture and style publication. “All the hotels reflect a remarkable collaboration between architecture, décor, landscape, and hospitality.”

2004

• Colourfulness – China’s premium interior design magazine feature in January.
• Unique and Unusual Hotels of the World membership.
• Exclusive Kiwi Collection hotel group

2003

• Distinction World is a collection of the very finest hotels in the world. The book highlights hotels where quality matters. This English publication relies on visual imagery to convey such qualities. Inclusion is by invitation only.

2002 – 2003

1. International Superstar Hotel, Northstar Media/Cahners 3rd nomination.
2. 1.7% from over 10,000 hotels internationally deemed to be the best of their type.
3. The Luxury Hotels and Golf Course Guide, a book featuring the world’s top 100 hotels and golf courses.

• The Celebration & Holiday Cookbook selection for inclusion in an international cookbook with recipes from top chefs and exceptional and famous resorts/hotels.
• Luxury Travel Magazine Australia’s best and most outstanding hotels as selected by 10 of Australia’s top travel writers

1999 – 2000

• International Superstar Hotel Cahners/Reed Travel Group USA, 1999 /2000 1.7% selected from 10,000 hotels internationally for the Star Service Award.
• 1999
• Nominated for an “International Platinum Star Award for Quality Commitment”.
• International award for quality control / management practices, selected by an international judging panel.
• 1998
• Getaway TV Programme Ch 9 Top 10 Romantic Destinations In Australia.
• USA Diamond Accolade Travel Awards “The Best Romantic Hideaway in Australia”,
• Australian Living Magazine, USA – The Best of the Best, Boutique Accommodation.1997 – 1998
• International Superstar Hotel. Reed Travel Group USA 1997 and 1998

1996

• South Australian Tourism Commission. Admitted to Tourism Industry “Hall Of Fame”.

1995

• TPS Media Australian Travel Mentions “Best South Australian Tourism Operator”

1994

• TPS Media Australian Travel Mentions “Best Australian Tourism Operation”
• 3rd in TPS Media International Travel Mentions
• Australian Gourmet Traveller Magazine Best Guest House in South Australia.1993South Australian Tourism Awards – Winner Specialist/Unique Accommodation.

1992

• Australian National Tourism Award – Winner Specialist/Unique Accommodation
• South Australian Tourism Awards – Winner Specialist/Unique Accommodation.

1991

• South Australian Tourism Awards – Winner Specialist/Unique Accommodation.

1990

• South Australian Tourism Awards, Judges Commendation Award, Specialist/Unique Accommodation.

1989

• South Australian Tourism Awards, Judges Commendation Award, Specialist/Unique Accommodation

1988

• Adelaide Hills Regional Tourism Award Winner National Luxury Standard Accommodation Award
• South Australian Tourism Awards, Judges Commendation Award, Specialist/Unique Accommodation