The Spirit Awards celebrate the hard work and excellence of frontline workers who power the Greater Toronto area’s hotel and hospitality sectors. Staff were honoured across 19 categories ranging from administration and security to culinary and housekeeping. Returning Master of Ceremonies Anthony Farnell of Global News presided over an enthusiastic crowd of attendees made up of hotel employees from across the region.

“This is now my third year attending the Spirit Awards as president and CEO of the association, and the momentum and excitement for celebrating hotel staff keeps building each year,” said Sara Anghel. “I’m most impressed by the professionalism, care, and service quality embodied by these award recipients — they help make our region’s tourism industry second to none.”

Ashok Baghel, Chair of the Spirit Awards Committee and general manager at the Hyatt Regency Toronto, echoed this sentiment. “Every general manager knows that employees are the lifeblood of the hotel,” he said. “This happy occasion gives us a chance to celebrate all hotel staff and honour a few remarkable individuals who represent the best in hospitality.”

The 2025 Spirit Award winners are:

• Accounting Ambassador of the Year: Natalia Kuzyk – Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto Airport & Conference Centre
• Administration Ambassador of the Year: Jiwon Yoon – Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto
• Banquet Ambassador of the Year: Frank Richardson – Hilton Mississauga Meadowvale
• Bell Person of the Year: Ambrocio Ramiro – The Yorkville Royal Sonesta
• Concierge of the Year: Cameron Carr – Omni King Edward Hotel
• Culinary Ambassador of the Year: Dario Ferreyra – Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown
• Engineering Ambassador of the Year: Darren Harold – Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel & Suites
• Food & Beverage Outlets Ambassador of the Year: Cris Vila – Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa and Karmen Stefanec – Park Hyatt Toronto
• Guest Services Ambassador of the Year: Josefina Palomo-Lee – Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Downtown
• Housekeeping Room Attendant of the Year: Cynthia Xu – Hilton Toronto and Margarita Roca – Hotel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square
• Housekeeping Support Services Ambassador of the Year: Raymundo Toledo – Chelsea Hotel, Toronto and Alganesh Mekkonen – Toronto Marriott City Centre
• Laundry Ambassador of the Year: Colin Caseley – InterContinental Toronto Centre
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Norival Da Rosa – Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
• Reservations Ambassador of the Year: Carina Cunanan – Fairmont Royal York
• Rising Star Award: Fady Saleh – Four Points & Element Toronto Airport
• Security Ambassador of the Year: Johnson Jonathan – DoubleTree by Hilton Toronto Downtown
• Steward of the Year: Ricardo Llamas – Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto Mississauga
• Switchboard Operator of the Year: Cinzia Celada – The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto
• Valet/Door Person/Shuttle Driver: Brendon DiBenedetto – The Hazelton Hotel

Additionally, the 2025 inductees into the GTHA Hall of Fame were announced: Klaus Tenter (1943-2024) and Nicholas Vesely (1953-2024), two exemplary hoteliers who devoted their lives to the advancement of Canada’s hotel industry. The awards were accepted posthumously by their respective families and friends.

Born in Poland and raised in Germany, Tenter came to Canada for Expo 67 — and stayed to build one of the country’s most distinguished hotel careers. A longtime Four Seasons executive, he served as general manager in Calgary, Newport Beach, and Toronto, where he became affectionately known as “the Mayor of Yorkville.” Following his retirement, he founded G7 Hospitality Group and helped launch Toronto’s acclaimed Hazelton Hotel. Renowned for his integrity, empathy, and leadership, Tenter embodied the very best of the hotel profession.

Vesely began his career as a cook at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge before finding his true calling in hotel management. A fixture of Toronto’s hospitality community for nearly five decades, he managed several major Toronto properties with warmth, humour, and professionalism, earning recognition as Hotelier of the Year and serving on both local and international industry boards. Admired for his kindness and mentorship, Vesely left an enduring mark on colleagues and the broader hospitality community alike.

“Klaus and Nick each represented the heart and spirit of our industry,” said Anghel. “They led with compassion, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Their legacy will continue to inspire current and future generations of hoteliers across the Greater Toronto region and beyond.”