The Lockington Hotel and Echuca’s American Hotel were among more than 600 nominees for awards on Monday, November 17.
It was an especially big night for the Lockington Hotel, which claimed the ‘Overall Hotel of the Year — Remote’ award, one of the night's major awards.
The award recognised the Lockington community’s efforts to restore and revitalise the pub and honoured their communal approach to running the hotel.
Meanwhile, the American Hotel took home the ‘Best Outdoor/Non-Enclosed Facility’, a fitting win after winning the ‘Best Outdoor Experience — Regional’ at the state awards earlier this year.
AHA national president David Basheer said the awards highlighted the role hotels played at the centre of community life.
“Hotels are more than venues, they are the beating hearts of their communities,” he said.
“From the smallest regional pub to the largest city property, our hotels bring people together in good times and tough times.
“Tonight’s winners show why Australian hospitality is the benchmark: welcoming, hardworking and deeply community-minded venues.”
The awards night was held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.