Three Central Coast hotels are in contention for Best Regional Hotel of the Year, along with several other local finalists across a variety of categories in the 2022 Australian Hotel Association NSW Awards.
Beachcomber Hotel and Resort at Toukley, Hotel Gosford and Elanora Hotel at East Gosford are among 17 finalists in the NSW Regional Hotel of the Year award.
The Beachcomber, known to locals as the Beachie, has also made the category finals of Best Family Friendly Hotel, Best Outdoor Experience and Best Regional Redevelopment.
It underwent a complete renovation last year, soon after being sold for the first time in 25 years for $20M to Oscars Hotel Group which is also in the running for the Group Hotel Operator of the Year award.
Hotel Gosford is a finalist in nine categories of the awards – Regional Hotel of the Year, Best Regional Local Hotel, Best Late Night Venue, Best Sporting Entertainment Venue, Best Cocktail List, Best Regional Gaming Venue, Best Traditional Pub Accommodation (under $130); Best Regional Casual Dining (northern) and Best Regional Redevelopment.
A multi-million dollar renovation of the heritage-listed hotel built in 1926 was completed in November last year.
The third Central Coast contender for Regional Hotel of the Year is Elanora Hotel at East Gosford which also made the finals for Best Wine List, Best Parmi, Best Steak Sandwich, Best Burger and Best Regional Casual Dining (northern).
The Elanora’s Damien Cusick has been named a finalist in the Individual Hotel Operator of the Year category.
Terrigal Beach House is the third Central Coast venue re-launched after extensive renovations in 2021 and in the finals of the Best Regional Redevelopment category, as well as the Best Outdoor Experience.
The Sunken Monkey Hotel at Erina is vying in the Best Live Music Venue and Best Regional Casual Dining (northern) categories, while Terrigal Hotel made the Best Retail Liquor Outlet category and The Grand Hotel at Wyong is in the Best Traditional Pub Accommodation (under $130) finals list.
The Entrance Hotel is contesting the Best Draught Beer Quality, Best Cocktail List, Best Regional Gaming Venue and Best Steak Sandwich categories.
The Australian Hotels Association NSW Awards for Excellence are recognised as the most prestigious awards program in the hospitality industry.
They honour the achievement of excellence in NSW hotels across a variety of categories including accommodation, dining, entertainment, marketing, social media, community service and talented employees.
Winners will be announced on Monday, October 24 at the Awards for Excellence Presentation Ceremony in Sydney and NSW winners will go on to contest the national awards to be announced in November.
Sue Murray