The Finches of Beechworth has been brought back to life to take out the TripAdvisor 2016 award for best bed and breakfast in Australia.
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Owners Margo Maller and Peter Brygel took over the historic building in May, 2013, after it was closed for years.
Ms Maller said taking out the top spot was unexpected, but a great recognition of their efforts in restoring its charm.
“It’s vindicated the hard work we’ve done, the fairly big move that we’ve made and the money we’ve spent getting the old girl back into shape again,” she said.
“There was months’ worth of renovations and sleeping on the floor with the roof off to get it happening again.
“We have grown probably 60 per cent from when we started to now.”
Ms Maller said reviews pointed to the homely touch of Finches.
“The comments that are written in my guestbooks, they’re really lovely, warm sentiments,” she said.
“Peter and I like our guests to feel as though they are our own invited guests and they respond to us in that manner as well – we like to make them feel a bit special.
“People are coming in and not seeing a commercially set-up property – I have all original paintings on my walls and unusual pieces I have gathered in my travels.
“We had a high court judge last weekend, an LA police officer the night before last – we get such varied people here that they enjoy each other’s company as well.”
Beechworth featured throughout the nation’s top 25 bed and breakfasts, with Albertines Beechworth, Freeman on Ford B&B, and Barnsley House Bed & Breakfast taking out the spots 2, 15 and 21 respectively.
Ms Maller said such an achievement reflected the community’s pride in its heritage.
“For the concentration to be in one small town, it would have to be out of the ordinary,” she said. “I think Beechworth and the North East in general is becoming the flavour – I won’t say flavour of the month – because it seems to be across the board.
“It’s a really valid experience at a whole number of levels, whether you’re a motorbike rider, into wine or food, or walking, nature or history – Beechworth is just one spoke of the wheel.
“There’s not many towns in Australia that mirror the architecture of Beechworth and the fact it has such as strong local population, it’s not just a tourist hub.”
