GTHA Celebrates 12th Annual Spirit Awards Gala

TORONTO, ON (November 14, 2025) – The Greater Toronto Hotel Association (GTHA) hosted the 12th annual Spirit Awards gala on Friday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre with over 800 attendees. 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,” remarked Sara Anghel. “I am 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

Accounting Ambassador of the Year: Natalia Kuzyk – Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto Airport & Conference Centre – sponsored by National Payments
Administration Ambassador of the Year: Jiwon Yoon – Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto – sponsored by Hicks Morley
Banquet Ambassador of the Year: Frank Richardson – Hilton Mississauga Meadowvale – sponsored by Gordon Food Service
Bell Person of the Year: Ambrocio Ramiro – The Yorkville Royal Sonesta – sponsored by Hunter Amenities
Concierge of the Year: Cameron Carr – Omni King Edward Hotel – sponsored by Insuranceland Inc.
Culinary Ambassador of the Year: Dario Ferreyra – Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown – sponsored by Orkin Canada
Engineering Ambassador of the Year: Darren Harold – Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel & Suites – sponsored by Hotel Engineering–Facility Managers Association of Toronto
Food & Beverage Outlets Ambassador of the Year: sponsored by Smart Serve
- Cris Vila – Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa
- Karmen Stefanec – Park Hyatt Toronto
Guest Services Ambassador of the Year: Josefina Palomo-Lee – Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Downtown – sponsored by Kostuch Media Ltd.
Housekeeping Room Attendant of the Year: sponsored by Serta Simmons Bedding
- Cynthia Xu – Hilton Toronto
- Margarita Roca – Hotel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square
Housekeeping Support Services Ambassador of the Year: sponsored by Ecolab
- Raymundo Toledo – Chelsea Hotel, Toronto
- Alganesh Mekkonen – Toronto Marriott City Centre
Laundry Ambassador of the Year: Colin Caseley – InterContinental Toronto Centre – sponsored by Victory Laundry & Linen Rental
Lifetime Achievement Award: Norival Da Rosa – Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel – sponsored by SelectPath
Reservations Ambassador of the Year: Carina Cunanan – Fairmont Royal York – sponsored by Meteor Telecommunications
Rising Star Award: Fady Saleh – Four Points & Element Toronto Airport – sponsored by First Onsite
Security Ambassador of the Year: Johnson Jonathan – DoubleTree by Hilton Toronto Downtown – sponsored by Sheer Hospitality Solutions
Steward of the Year: Ricardo Llamas – Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto Mississauga – sponsored by Mediclean
Switchboard Operator of the Year: Cinzia Celada – The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto – sponsored by Forest Paving
Valet/Door Person/Shuttle Driver: Brendon DiBenedetto – The Hazelton Hotel – sponsored by Eminent Valet

GTHA Celebrates 12th Annual Spirit Awards Gala

The 2025 Spirit Award Winners

Sponsors