On Tuesday 28 October, 1,400 industry stakeholders came together at Royal Randwick to celebrate the state’s best pubs at the 2025 AHA NSW Awards for Excellence.
The coveted Metropolitan Hotel of the Year title was awarded to Parc Pavilion in Cronulla, the latest greenfield venue from Feros Group. The venue opened earlier this year with a ground-floor bistro and kiosk, and first-floor restaurant Call Me Mamma and Italian-style cocktail bar and eatery The Terrace.
Chris Feros, CEO of Feros Group, told Australian Hotelier: “We are just so proud to win this award – it was a dream to build a pub in Cronulla. Parc Pavilion is the hotel I want to be known for, and the most important thing is how well it’s been received by the community.
“There were some incredible venues also nominated for Hotel of the Year. Other than the beautiful design and different experiences Parc offers, it’s the people that make the difference. The team behind Parc have embraced it as their own and that’s what makes Parc standout.”
Meanwhile, The Oxford Bathurst was named Regional Hotel of the Year. The venue was established in the early 20th century and today offers high quality food and beverage across Brock’s Restaurant and B Town BBQ, a sports bar known as the Sports Colosseum, a beer garden with a playground, bottle shop, and rooftop event space.
Ash Lyons, general manager of Lion Majestic Group – which owns The Oxford, told Australian Hotelier he felt honoured to not only win three awards, but the extremely prestigious Regional Hotel of the Year title.
“This is an award that has been a goal of mine since my very early days as a young publican, and now that we have won the main prize, it is surreal that The Oxford Bathurst has taken the top gong.
“I am so proud of my crew, without them this whole operation is just a building. They give the Oxford a heartbeat and soul. I thank my construction team that worked with so much passion and diligence to complete such a challenging project, and my wife Kelly and family – without you I would not have been able to turn up to work with a smile on my face every day.”
Across the board, winners were determined from more than 881 nominations across 47 categories. In an industry first, The Dry Dock Hotel in Balmain and The Red Lion Hotel in Rozelle were awarded Distinction Awards as judges recognised the exceptional quality in nominees for Hotel of the Year.
Among attendees were renowned Newcastle hoteliers Rolly and Helen De With, who were inducted into the AHA NSW Hall of Fame – only the second couple in AHA NSW history to be bestowed this honour.
Group Hotel Operator of the Year was claimed by Tilley & Wills, while the Individual Hotel Operator award went to Steven Speed of the newly renovated Fortune of War in The Rocks. Zoe Archer of the Settlers Inn Hotel in Port Macquarie was recognised as Industry Rising Star, while Stefano Burlando from The Oxford accepted the Regional Chef of the Year award. Joint winners of the Metropolitan Chef of the Year were Han Chen of Cruise Bar and Restaurant in Circular Quay and Kirsten Baker of the General Gorden Hotel, Sydenham.
Food categories were highly competitive with The Dry Dock recognised once again for setting an exceptional standard, scooping the Best Restaurant award.
Robertson Public House and Kitchen claimed Best Burger, while Best Parmi went to the Railway Hotel in Temora and Best Sunday Roast was won by The Royal Hotel Paddington. The Oaks Hotel in Neutral Bay claimed Best Steak, while Best Steak Sandwich went to the Coramba Hotel, and finally, Best Chip was taken out by Lakeside Village Tavern in Raymond Terrace.
Other notable wins include the sought-after People’s Choice Award, which was won by the Gerogery Hotel, and for the second year running Coogee Bay Hotel was named Heart of the Community. Bellbird Hotel and the Marsden Brewhouse jointly won Best Family Friendly Hotel, and the 115-year-old Balldale Hotel in the Riverina was named Best Bush Pub.
AHA NSW CEO John Whelan remarked that the winners represented the best of the NSW hotels industry, and that the quality of such venues has never been higher.
“From the mum and dad operations in the most remote parts of the state to multi-level entertainment precincts in Sydney, NSW hotels directly employ 72,000 people, raise millions of dollars for charity and drive the NSW tourism and hospitality economy,” he stated.
“I would like to congratulate all our hotels for their work throughout the year, particularly todays award winners.”
The full list of award winners can be found here.
