Simply the best! Top national award for The Bridgeport
The Bridgeport in Murray Bridge, part of EDP Hotels which is owned by Living Choice directors Ian Tregoning and Graham Hobbs, has been named the Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional at the Australian Hotel Association’s National Awards for Excellence.
The prestigious award was presented to Ian and Graham at the annual awards event attended by over 500 VIPs and industry members in Hobart on Monday 7th February.
Ian described the win as “overwhelming” and said he was extremely proud of his team’s hard work and dedication to the redevelopment and running of the Bridgeport. “Uniquely, we designed it in-house, we built it in-house and we run it in-house,” he said.
The Bridgeport qualified for the award after winning the AHA|SA awards in October 2021. The contemporary six-storey hotel, which opened its doors on 8th June 2021 after a $45-million redevelopment, is the largest, most luxurious hotel in the Murraylands. More than 120 local jobs have been created with ongoing support for regional produce and tourism across the Murraylands.
The hotel has 100 high quality rooms, each with a king bed, living and working area, bathroom and walk-in shower, locally commissioned artwork, in-room entertainment, room service and free WiFi. Guest facilities include dedicated undercover car parking, a gymnasium and an outdoor heated infinity pool and bar located on the first floor overlooking inspirational views of the Murray River.
The hotel’s ground floor features a sports bar, lounge bar, gaming lounge, alfresco terrace bar and the Rivergum Restaurant which is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The ground floor also houses two private function rooms, the River Room and the Charles Sturt Room which are designed to cater for large scale events and functions. Adjacent to the Charles Sturt Room is a dedicated private conference room to suit 14 delegates.
The first floor of the hotel features the largest private function space in the venue. The Murray Room hosts up to 300 cocktail guests and boasts its own spacious private bar, built-in stage, permanent dance floor and adjoining balcony showcasing the picturesque Murray River views.
Both Ian and Graham believe that The Bridgeport will act as a springboard for local tourism. “The Bend, Monarto Zoo, golf, horse racing and all forms of river activities will all benefit enormously from the Bridgeport Hotel redevelopment. Tourism in SA will have a new focal point in the Murray Bridge region helping all local businesses to flourish.”
Many Living Choice residents have taken advantage of The Bridgeport’s special accommodation offer for residents. To find out how you can obtain your accommodation discount, see your Village Reception.
Photo above: Darren Steele, Operations Manager EDP Hotel Group, Living Choice directors Graham Hobbs and Ian Tregoning, and Ian’s wife, Lisa.