The best of the state's regional hotels were honoured last week at the 2015 Tourism Accommodation Australia NSW awards for excellence, with Lilianfels taking out the coveted regional deluxe hotel of the year and top restaurant honours.
With a record number of nominations, venues from coastal regions, the Mountains and wine country were all celebrated across more than 30 awards in front of an audience of more than 700 political, business and industry leaders.
Regional restaurant of the year went to Darley's Restaurant of Lilianfel's Resort and Spa, Blue Mountains which also took home the coveted regional deluxe hotel of the year.
Staff member Meagan Iervasi was also named the front of house employee of the year.
Emirates One and Only Wolgan Valley and Echoes Boutique Hotel and Restaurant were also amongst the regional hotels who received accolades for outstanding performance over the past 12 months.
TAA (NSW) director Carol Giuseppi said the regional winners were a testament to the state's incredible accommodation, offering up "tireless hospitality and dedication to our industry".
"Venues in our regional centres have certainly set the bar over the past 12 months with high quality, premier standards."
Emirates One and Only, Wolgan Valley was recognised for having the best environmental practices. Echoes Boutique Hotel and Restaurant took out the regional superior hotel of the year honours and Lilianfels' Lee Kwiez was named chef of the year.
The Escarpment Group took out five of the top awards last Wednesday at the event held at Sydney's Westin Hotel.
The world-famous Hydro Majestic Hotel at Medlow Bath also received a highly commended for redeveloped hotel of the year.
Escarpment Group general manager Ralf Bruegger said: "We were up against very high competition from the Hunter Valley, south and north coasts so to take home so many awards was a fantastic result.
"These awards are recognition from our peers that Escarpment Group meets all those expectations across our hotels," he said.
"Knowing that there is an outstanding team making sure our guests have a memorable stay is motivation for me every single day. That's what really gives us the edge, along with the escarpment location with landscapes you see nowhere else.''
