Advertisement
Press Release Human Resources

Accor wins three Major Awards at 2025 HM Awards

Accor's Adrian Williams was named Australasian Hotelier of the Year while the company claimed Accommodation Chain of the Year for the fourth consecutive time.

Accor
Australia
Accor wins three Major Awards at 2025 HM Awards

Photo by Accor

Accor, the largest hotel operator in the Pacific region, was a standout at the 2025 HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence, presented by Sealy Posturepedic in Sydney on Friday 21 November, winning three of the night’s Major Awards.

Accor was named Accommodation Chain of the Year for the fourth consecutive year, further cementing its leadership position in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. Voted exclusively by the heads of hotel groups in the region, this award recognises outstanding leadership and excellence in hospitality.

Another crowning moment came shortly after, as Accor’s Chief Operating Officer in the Pacific region, Adrian Williams, was awarded the coveted HM Magazine Australasian Hotelier of the Year.

We are so honoured to receive such recognition at this year’s HM Awards. We love what we do, and it’s a true reflection of the incredible talent, dedication, and passion of everyone at Accor. Being recognised by our industry peers is hugely rewarding, and it also highlights the privilege we have in working alongside our owners and partners, whose trust and collaboration are key to our success. Each year, the calibre of award nominees raises the hospitality benchmark even higher, and we congratulate our fellow industry colleagues on their achievements and service to our industry, said Mr Williams.

Benjamin Nesbitt, Precinct General Manager for Pullman, Novotel and ibis at Sydney Olympic Park, also triumphed on the night, taking home the illustrious Australian General Manager of the Year award for his record-breaking commercial performance, standout industry partnerships, and unwavering commitment to inclusivity and people-focused leadership. Mr Nesbitt said he is incredibly honoured: This win reflects the power of great people, strong partnerships and a culture that puts others first.

Accor’s other award wins on the night included:

  • Boutique Hotel: The Playford Hotel Adelaide – MGallery Collection
  • Food & Beverage Associate: Bayley McGuire, Pullman Sydney Penrith
  • Human Resources Associate: Stephanie Lopesi, Salter Brothers Hospitality Real Estate Joint Venture & Accor
  • Hotel Engineer: Keoni Toseki-Solomona, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
  • Rising Star: Bailey Wootton, Pullman Sydney Penrith
It is an absolute honour to see Sofitel and MGallery recognised for their outstanding achievements at the 2025 HM Awards. These accolades reflect the exceptional dedication and innovations of our teams and I couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments. Accor Pacific Vice President Operations – Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems, David Fraser

Last month, New Zealand and the South Pacific’s leading properties and people were recognised at the 2025 HM Awards Aotearoa-Pacific gala ceremony. Accor’s winners included:

  • New Zealand Apartment Hotel: Pullman Auckland Hotel & Apartments
  • Fijian Luxury Resort: Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa
  • Human Resources Initiative (NZ winner): Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems Pacific RiiSE Committee
  • Food and Beverage Associate (NZ winner): Varun Sharma, Novotel Christchurch Airport
  • Front Office Associate (NZ winner): Prachie Jan Amelda Gloriani, Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport
  • Revenue Management Associate (Sth Pac winner): Kirshan Singh, Sofitel Fiji Beach Resort & Spa
  • Hotel Engineer (NZ winner): Rebecca Dawson, Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
  • Rising Star (co-NZ winner): Karishma Singh, Mövenpick Hotel Auckland

The annual HM Awards recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements that exemplify excellence in performance and service across the hospitality industry in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. For a full list of award winners visit hotelmanagement.com.au

From luxury to economy, Accor operates more than 400 hotels in the Pacific region under renowned brands such as Sofitel, MGallery, Art Series, Pullman, Swissôtel, Mövenpick, Grand Mercure, Peppers, The Sebel, Mantra, Handwritten Collection, Novotel, TRIBE, Mercure, BreakFree, ibis, ibis Styles and ibis budget, as well as Ennismore’s SO/, Mondrian, 25hours, Hyde and JO&JOE.

Media Contact

Naomi Hammond

Communications Manager - Pacific [email protected] +61(0) 434 738 380

Human Resources General Management Industry Association Owner Partnerships Government Shutdown Guest Recognition Board Of Directors Asia Pacific Australia
Accor
Hotel GroupManagement CompanyFranchise OrganizationBrand Owner

Accor is a world-leading hospitality group offering stays and experiences across more than 110 countries with over 5,600 hotels and resorts, 10,000 bars & restaurants, wellness facilities and flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry's most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing around 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore.

Emblems Collection
Brand by Accor

Emblems Collection is a captivating global portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts. Featuring unique properties that are ‘emblematic’ of their designers, demographics or destinations, hotels within the Emblems Collection stand apart as revered landmarks with character, history and aura. Signature elements include sumptuous surroundings in handpicked locations, charismatic service and exclusive bars.

Sofitel
Brand by Accor

Sofitel Hotels & Resorts is an ambassador of modern French style, culture and art-de-vivre around the world. Established in 1964, Sofitel is the first international luxury hotel brand to originate from France with more than 120 chic and remarkable hotels in the world’s most sought-after destinations. Sofitel exudes a refined and understated sense of modern luxury, always blending a touch of French decadence with the very best of the locale.

Pullman
Brand by Accor

Pullman hotels and resorts welcome international, cosmopolitan seasoned travelers from all over the world for business and leisure stays. Pullman is the executive lifestyle upscale hotel brand: a new generation of hotels for a new generation of mobile, hyper-connected customers. Pullman’s warm, expert welcome and customized offers and services provide its guests with an innovative, efficient hotel experience whether they are staying for...

MGallery
Brand by Accor

The MGallery Hotel Collection brand thoughtfully selects and curates unique properties around the world, forming a storied collection of boutique hotels with true soul where captivating stories are lived and shared. These more than 120 boutique hotels all around the world enjoy a unique history, inspired by the remarkable past of the building or destination that welcomes it allowing the guests to live memorable moments.

Novotel
Brand by Accor

Born in 1967, Novotel is a 4-stars International midscale brand for business & leisure travelers, with hotels located in the heart of major international cities, business districts and tourist destinations. Novotel is constantly reinforcing its presence on all continents, with the opening of hotels across the world: Phuket (Thailand), Moscou (Russia), Lodz (Poland), Danang (Vietnam), Goa (India), Panama (Panama), Dubai (United Arab Emirates),...

Mövenpick
Brand by Accor

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, an international upscale hotel management company with over 16,000 staff members, is represented in 24 countries with 80 hotels, resorts and Nile cruisers currently in operation. More than 30 properties are planned or under construction, including Chiang Mai and Koh Samui (Thailand), Palawan (Philippines), Sanya (Hainan Island, China) and Djerba (Tunisia).