About Our Awards

Over the years we have prided ourselves in presenting award-winning owned and operated restaurants, hotels and commercial developments that continue to exceed expectations, time and time again. It is to our hard-working teams that each and every one of these awards are dedicated to.

2023

Gold Award for Best Buffet, Des Moines’ People’s Choice Awards – The Machine Shed, Urbandale
Gold Award for Best Downtown Bar, Des Moines’ People’s Choice Awards – The Republic on Grand, Des Moines
Gold Award for Best East Village Restaurant, Des Moines’ People’s Choice Awards – The Republic on Grand, Des Moines
Hilton’s Bright Together: A Brighthearted Top 1% Award, First Quarter 2023 – Hilton Garden Inn, Sun Prairie
Silver Award for Best Bloody Mary, Des Moines’ People’s Choice Awards – The Machine Shed, Urbandale
Silver Award for Best Fine Dining Restaurant, Des Moines’ People’s Choice Awards – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouses, Des Moines
Silver Award for Best Hotel, Des Moines’ People’s Choice Awards – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale
Silver Award for Best Italian Restaurant, Des Moines’ People’s Choice Awards – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouses, Des Moines
Silver Award for Best Staycation, Des Moines’ People’s Choice Awards – The AC Hotel, Des Moines

2022

Award of Excellence: Top 5 Globally, Hilton Tapestry Collection – The Revel Hotel, Urbandale
Award of Excellence: Top 5 Globally, Hilton Tapestry Collection – The Rewind Hotel, West Des Moines
Best in Class Hotel Lodging Award, Urbandale Chamber of Commerce – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale
Best Hotel of Sun Prairie – Hilton Garden Inn, Sun Prairie
Best Place to Hold a Business Meeting Award, Urbandale Chamber of Commerce – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale
Best Steakhouse of Sun Prairie – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Sun Prairie
Bronze Award for Hotel Guest’s Stay, Wedding Choice Awards – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale
Bronze Award for Hotel Venue, Wedding Choice Awards – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale
Certificate of Excellence, Trip Advisor – The Axis Hotel, Moline (Top 10% of Hotels Worldwide)
Certificate of Excellence, Trip Advisor – The Rewind Hotel, West Des Moines
Global Gold Circle Award Top 57 – Fairfield Inn & Suites, Davenport
Global Gold Circle Award Top 57 – Fairfield Inn & Suites, Des Moines
Global Platinum Circle Award Top 35 – Fairfield Inn & Suites, Altoona
Gold Award for Best Fine Dining Restaurant, Des Moines’ People’s Choice Awards – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Des Moines
Hilton’s Bright Together: A Brighthearted Top 1% Award, Fourth Quarter 2022 – Hilton Garden Inn, Sun Prairie
Hilton’s Bright Together: A Brighthearted Top 1% Award, Second Quarter 2022 – The Rewind Hotel, West Des Moines
Hilton’s GM of the Year – Chris Scheel, Hilton Garden Inn, Sun Prairie
Hilton’s Top 5% – Hilton Garden Inn, Sun Prairie
Kayak Travel Awards Best Hotel (United States) – Wildwood Lodge, Clive
Silver Award for Best Buffet, Des Moines’ People’s Choice Awards – The Machine Shed, Urbandale
Silver Award for Best Hotel, Des Moines’ People’s Choice Awards – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale
Silver Award for Best Staycation, Des Moines’ People’s Choice Awards – The Revel Hotel, Urbandale
Silver Award for Best Steakhouse, Des Moines’ People’s Choice Awards – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Des Moines
Silver Award for Hotel Guest’s Stay, Wedding Choice Awards – The AC Hotel, Des Moines

2021

Best in Class Hotel Lodging Award, Urbandale Chamber of Commerce – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale
Best Party Room Award, Omaha Magazine’s Best of Omaha – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Omaha
Certificate of Excellence, Trip Advisor – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale
Certificate of Excellence, Trip Advisor – The Axis Hotel, Moline (Top 10% of Hotels Worldwide)
Diamond Circle Award – Fairfield Inn & Suites, Altoona
Family Award Winner, Hotels.com – Wildwood lodge, Clive
Gold Circle Award – Fairfield Inn & Suites, Davenport
Gold Circle Award – Fairfield Inn & Suites, Des Moines
Silver Award for Hotel Venue, Wedding Choice Awards – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale

2020

Award Winner, Hotels.com – Wildwood Lodge, Clive
Best in Class Hotel Lodging Award, Urbandale Chamber of Commerce – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale
Best in Class to Host a Meeting Award, Urbandale Chamber of Commerce – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale
Traveler Review Award, Booking.com – Wildwood Lodge, Clive

2019

Best in Class Hotel Lodging Award, Urbandale Chamber of Commerce – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale
Best Tiramisu, Italian-American Heritage Festival of Iowa – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, West Des Moines
Gold Award for Best Hotel Wedding Venue, Wedding Choice Awards – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale
IHG Quality Excellence Award – Holiday Inn & Suites, Davenport
IHG Rewards Club Excellence Award – Holiday Inn & Suites, Davenport
Silver Award for Guests Hotel Overnight Stay, Wedding Choice Awards – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale

2018

Award of Excellence, Wine Spectator – Thunder Bay Grille, Pewaukee
Best Hospitality Architecture Firm, BUILD Magazine – Heart of America Group Architects
Best in Class Hotel Lodging Award, Urbandale Chamber of Commerce – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale
Best Iowa Boutique Hotel Design: Hotel Renovo, BUILD Magazine – Heart of America Group Architects
Certificate of Excellence, Trip Advisor – Embassy Suites, Olathe
Certificate of Excellence, Trip Advisor – Thunder Bay Grille, Rockford
Gold Award for Best Hotel Wedding Venue, Wedding Choice Awards – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale
IHG GM of the Year – Felicia Gonzales, Holiday Inn & Suites, Davenport

2017

Award of Excellence, Wine Spectator – The J Bar, Olathe
Award of Excellence, Wine Spectator – Thunder Bay Grille, Pewaukee
Certificate of Excellence, Trip Advisor – Embassy Suites, Olathe
Certificate of Excellence, Trip Advisor – Fairfield Inn & Suites, Des Moines, Iowa
Certificate of Excellence, Trip Advisor – Holiday Inn & Suites, East Peoria
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Des Moines
Certificate of Excellence, Trip Advisor – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, East Peoria
Certificate of Excellence, Trip Advisor – Thunder Bay Grille, Rockford
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Wildwood Lodge, Clive
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Wildwood Lodge, Pewaukee
IHG Quality Excellence Award – Holiday Inn & Suites, Davenport
IHG Quality Excellence Award – Holiday Inn & Suites, East Peoria
Loved by Guests Award, Hotels.com – Wildwood Lodge, Pewaukee

2016

Award of Excellence, Wine Spectator – The J Bar, Olathe
Award of Excellence, Wine Spectator – Thunder Bay Grille, Pewaukee
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – DoubleTree, Des Moines
Certificate of Excellence, Trip Advisor – Fairfield Inn & Suites, Des Moines, Iowa
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Hilton Garden Inn, Olathe
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Des Moines
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Olathe
Certificate of Excellence, Trip Advisor – Thunder Bay Grille, Rockford
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Wildwood Lodge, Clive
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Wildwood Lodge, Pewaukee
Global Award, Shortlist, Luxury Travel Guide – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale
Guest Review Award, Booking.com – Wildwood Lodge, Pewaukee
IHG Quality Excellence Award – Holiday Inn & Suites, Pewaukee
IHG Newcomer Award – Holiday Inn & Suites, Davenport
IHG Torchbearer Award – Holiday Inn & Suites, E. Peoria
Only 4-Star Hotel in Des Moines, Expedia – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale
Urbandale Chamber of Commerce Best in Class Award finalist – Hotel Renovo

2015

#1 People’s Choice Rockford Bacon Fest -Thunder Bay Grille, Rockford
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – DoubleTree, Des Moines
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Hilton Garden Inn, Olathe
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Hotel Renovo, Urbandale
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Des Moines
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Olathe
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Wildwood Lodge, Pewaukee
Deal of the Year Award – Embassy Suites, Olathe
IHG Newcomer Award – Holiday Inn & Suites, E. Peoria, IL
IHG New Development Design Award – Holiday Inn & Suites, Davenport
Urbandale Chamber of Commerce Best in Class Award – Hotel Renovo
Wine Spectator Award of Excellence – Thunder Bay Grille, Pewaukee

2014

Best Family Restaurant – Machine Shed, Lake Elmo
Business of the Year, Des Moines Chamber of Commerce– The DoubleTree/Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Des Moines
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – DoubleTree, Des Moines
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Hilton Garden Inn, Olathe
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Olathe
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, West Des Moines
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Wildwood Lodge, Clive
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Wildwood Lodge, Pewaukee
FSR Magazine’s Best Beverage Program, Honorable Mention – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse
IHG Newcomer Award – Holiday Inn & Suites, Lake Elmo
IHG New Development Design Award – Holiday Inn & Suites, Peoria
People’s Choice, Taste of Elegance – The Machine Shed, Wisconsin
Top 12 Reasons ‘Why Iowa Rules’, Washington Post – Iowa Machine Shed

2013

Best Place to Go for Dessert Award, Reader’s Choice – Machine Shed, Lake Elmo
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – DoubleTree, Des Moines
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Hilton Garden Inn, Olathe
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Olathe
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, West Des Moines
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Wildwood Lodge, Clive
IHG Remodel Award – Holiday Inn Express, Olathe
IHG Torchbearer Award – Holiday Inn & Suites, W. Des Moines

2012

Business of the Year Award, East and South Des Moines Chamber of Commerce– The DoubleTree/Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Des Moines
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – DoubleTree, Des Moines
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor – Wildwood Lodge, Clive
IHG Newcomer Award – Holiday Inn & Suites, Pewaukee
IHG Torchbearer Award – Holiday Inn & Suites, W. Des Moines

2011

Best of the Quad Cities, Best Business Lunch – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Moline
Best of the Quad Cities, Fine Dining, River Cities Reader – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Moline
Cornerstone Humanitarian Award, The National Restaurant Association & American Express – Mike Whalen

2010

Choice Hotel Gold Hospitality Award – Comfort Suites, Pewaukee (top 9% in the country)

2009

Best American Entrée (Steak de Burgo), Taste of Madison – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Moline
Best of the Quad Cities, Best Steaks/Steakhouse, River Cities Reader – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Moline
Des Moines Best Breakfast, Cinnamon Roll – The Machine Shed, Urbandale
Restauranteur of the Year, Iowa Hospitality Association – Mike Whalen

2008

Best Breakfast in America, Travel Channel – Machine Shed
Radisson’s Presidents Award – Radisson/Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Des Moines
Radisson’s Presidents Award – Radisson/Thunder Bay Grille, Pewaukee
Wisconsin Beef Backer Award, Wisconsin Beef Council – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Des Moines
Wisconsin Beef Backer Award, Wisconsin Beef Council – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Middleton

2007

Best Family Restaurant, Cityview – Machine Shed, Des Moines
Best Fine Dining Award, Peoria Journal Stars, Readers’ Choice Awards – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse
Best of the Quad Cities, Best Local Chef, River Cities Reader – Machine Shed, Davenport (Bryan Tyler)
Best of the Quad Cities, Fine Dining, River Cities Reader – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Moline
Choice Hotel Gold Hospitality Award – EconoLodge Inn & Suites, Davenport
Iowa Beef Backer Award – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Des Moines
Iowa Beef Backer Award – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Middleton
Radisson’s Presidents Award – Radisson, Des Moines Airport
Radisson’s Presidents Award – Radisson, Pewaukee

2006

Best of Madison Bronze Award for Best New Restaurant, Madison Magazine – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Middleton
Radisson’s Presidents Award – Radisson/Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Des Moines
Radisson’s Presidents Award – Radisson/Thunder Bay Grille, Pewaukee

2005

Best Fine Dining Award, Peoria Journal Stars, Readers’ Choice Awards – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, East Peoria
Radisson’s Presidents Award – Radisson/Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Des Moines
Radisson’s Presidents Award – Radisson/Thunder Bay Grille, Pewaukee
T.O.M. Award, National Turkey Federation – The Machine Shed
Top 50 Multi-Concept Growth Companies, Nation’s Restaurant News – Heart of America Group

2004

Best of the Quad Cities, Family Dining – Machine Shed, Davenport
Best of the Quad Cities, Fine Dining Atmosphere, River Cities Reader – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Moline
Best of the Quad Cities, Most Hospitable Restaurant, River Cities Reader – Machine Shed, Davenport
Best of the Quad Cities, Place to Buy Unique Gifts, River Cities Reader – Machine Shed, Davenport
Best of the Quad Cities, Sunday Brunch, River Cities Reader – Thunder Bay Grille, Davenport
Radisson’s Presidents Award – Radisson/Thunder Bay Grille, Pewaukee

2003

Best in the Midwest Newcomer Award, Heart of Illinois Hospitality Association – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Peoria
Radisson’s Presidents Award – Radisson/Thunder Bay Grille, Pewaukee

1998

Choice Hotel Gold Hospitality Award – Comfort Suites, Pewaukee
Restauranteur of the Year, Iowa Hospitality Association – Mike Whalen

1996

5-Time Recipient of Choice Hotel Gold Hospitality Award – Comfort Inn, Davenport
Best Pork Restaurant in America from the National Pork Producers – Iowa Machine Shed
Choice Hotel Gold Hospitality Award – Comfort Suites, Urbandale
Restauranteur of the Year, Iowa Hospitality Association – Mike Whalen

1994

Golden Egg Award, American Egg Board – The Machine Shed, Davenport

1993

Beef Backer Award, Iowa Beef Industry Council – The Machine Shed, Davenport
Iowa Entrepreneurial Success Award from Governor Terry Branstad – Mike Whalen

1992

Taste of Elegance – The Machine Shed, Davenport

1991

Entrepreneur of the Year, Inc. Magazine and Ernst & Young – Mike Whalen

1986

Iowa Pork Restaurant of the Year, Iowa Pork Producers – The Machine Shed, Davenport

1985

Golden Butter Knife, Scout County Dairy Association – The Machine Shed, Davenport

1980

Golden Butter Knife, Scout County Dairy Association – The Machine Shed, Davenport