STAFF at an Albury hotel are thrilled to have won three state awards only months after a $6 million overhaul of the building.
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Atura Albury claimed its trifecta at the 2015 Tourism Accommodation Australia NSW Awards for Excellence in Sydney.
The Dean Street hotel took out brasserie/café of the year, bar of the year regional hotels and mid-range hotel of the year in a result general manager Jodi Brown called “absolutely overwhelming”.
“It was a fantastic outcome and such a great achievement since the massive refurbishment and rebranding of the hotel,” she said.
Officially launched as Atura Albury last December, the hotel has had several name changes since the original Travelodge opened in 1971.
Ms Brown said some work continued until early March, with the project costing more than $6 million.
“The hotel hadn’t seen a change or a refurbishment like that in years,” she said.
The general manager took most pride in the hotel of the year success.
“It’s the one you strive to win and then obviously the other two awards locally will have such recognition with the bar and the restaurant just to get the locals in and enjoying what we’ve got to offer,” she said.
Ms Brown felt the community had responded well to the hotel’s makeover and noted the interior had altered more than the outside.
“The space has gone through a number of name changes and so to come out after this massive refurbishment … it’s been so positive and people, I think they really need to just come inside,” she said.
“It’s a completely different place.
“We’re really excited for where this can take the hotel industry for regional areas.
“We are always seeking to improve and our hope is to come back even better for next year’s awards.”
The judges praised the impressive nature of Atura Albury in a year when the Tourism Accommodation Australia NSW Awards received a record number of nominations.
More than 30 awards were announced at last week’s presentation, attended by about 700 political, business and industry leaders.
Venues in the Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains and Terrigal featured among the recipients.
Tourism Accommodation Australia NSW director Carol Giuseppi said the regional winners highlighted the calibre of NSW accommodation.
“Venues in our regional centres have certainly set the bar over the past twelve months with high quality, premier standards,” she said.
“This year, the judges were delighted by all of our regional nominees.
“I congratulate each and every one of them.”