The Mid-Western region has taken home two gongs at the Hotel Association Awards (AHA) NSW Awards for Excellence.
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The Oriental Hotel owned by Mayor Des Kennedy took out the award for “Single hotel operator of the year.”
“The Ori” was among 14 finalists in the Country Hotel of the Year category and was also a finalist in the Best New/Redeveloped Country Hotel category.
Gulgong’s Prince of Wales Hotel was also vying for the “Single hotel operator” award but didn’t go home empty handed, winning the “Best pub-style accommodation (traditional).”
The Prince of Wales Hotel was also a finalist in the Cheap Eats Meals Under $15.
This is the second year in a row the hotel has won an award from the event. Last year, they took out “Best Casual Dining”.
Prince of Wales Hotel licencee Rowena Ellis said the staff are over the moon.
“To win the Casual Dining award last year, and now the pub-style accommodation category is amazing.
“It really shows we’re an all-rounder for food, drinks and accommodation.
“This is great recognition for the staff, who work really hard to make sure the hotel is operating at a top level.
“It was great to go up against the big players in the industry and win. It shows we’re just as good as the top hotels across the country.
“This award really showcases Gulgong to the rest of the country,” she said.
Management and staff from the Mid-Western region travelled to Sydney for the gala awards ceremony.
The gala awards ceremony was held at The Star Event Centre in Sydney, with a crowd of about 1200 industry and business leaders attending.
More than 600 nominations were received for the Awards across a record 42 categories.
AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said the annual awards night was about recognising the effort the state’s venues and their 75,000 staff members put in each and every day.
“The Awards for Excellence really are about rewarding innovation, quality and excellence of service at hotels right across NSW.
“The nominees are a “who’s who” of the hotel industry in NSW and the awards honour the best in the business. My congratulations go to all the winners on the night,” he said.
Watson Bay Boutique Hotel in Sydney’s east and The Sunken Monkey Hotel at Erina on the Central Coast were named the 2016 Hotels of the Year.
Union Hotel in North Sydney won Best Traditional Hotel, The Glenmore at the The Rocks won Best Rooftop Bar and Bayview Hotel at Gladesville took home the award for Best Burger.