A broad spectrum of pubs, hotels and influential hospitality figures were honoured across 42 distinct categories on Monday night at the sold out 2025 AHA (Vic) State Awards for Excellence.
A crowd of over 1200 industry figures gathered at Crown Palladium for the highly anticipated awards, where the sector’s strength and successes were honoured.
“What a night to celebrate the great things about the hotel and pub industry. The outstanding individuals, rising stars and those operators who continue to invest, innovate, and excel,” stated David Canny, AHA (Vic) and AHA national president.
In the first major award of the night, the Nikakis Benchmark Award – named in memory of industry icon Nick Nikakis – was awarded to Bill Perry of The London Tavern Hotel.
“This publican has adapted with the times without ever losing the soul of the pub,” AHA (Vic) CEO Paddy O’Sullivan.
“He has mentored generations, supported our industry quietly and steadily, never seeking recognition, just getting on with the job.”
Bill Perry said he was thrilled with being bestowed with the honour.
“I am thrilled and deeply honoured to have been awarded the Nikakis Benchmark Award, in memory of Nick Nikakis. I was overwhelmed by the camaraderie and support from the entire industry, and I sincerely thank the AHA for such a great honour.”
In a testament to the broad array of venues that make up the hotel sector, Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan was awarded to Hotel Sorrento, which also won Best Accommodation; while Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional was awarded to the Crown Hotel Traralgon, which also won Best Pub Bar – Regional.
Family-owned for almost half a century, the win for Hotel Sorrento comes upon the completion of a major new redevelopment of the hotel.
“We are very humbled to have been recognised with these esteemed awards and would like to thank our team and everyone who has supported the hotel over the years. As a family business for 44 years, we believe this recognition highlights that people value authentic, quality service, which has always been at the heart of what we do,” stated Hotel Sorrento finance director Bridget Bailey.
“Our family has poured a lot of love into the hotel, continually developing the venue year-on-year. This year marks the completion of our development with a new lobby bar, conference facility, wellness centre and eight = more luxury suites. We think our guests appreciate the constant evolution of the Hotel. We are so proud to be the custodians of this incredible landmark and are eternally grateful to every person who shares in our love for the hotel.”
For regional winners, Crown Hotel, Traralgon, managing director Brett Melbourne put the win down to the team behind the pub.
“We were very excited to win regional Victoria’s ‘Best Hotel of the Year 2025”. This award is credited to the vision of our landlord, Brett Neilson, the business owners’ pursuit to be the best and Crown’s fantastic staff, who are the heart of our pub,” stated Melbourne.
“[It’s] extra special to receive the award from industry legend Tim Powell who was involved in the relaunch of Crown back in 2022.”
Best Hotel Group Operator went to JBS Hospitality, one of Melbourne’s largest hospitality and events groups, largely situated in and around Melbourne’s CBD. The JBS Hospitality portfolio includes The Bank on Collins, Grosvenor Hotel, Hotel Brighton, Lion Hotel Melbourne Central, The Dick Whittingon Tavern and Network Sports Bar.
Over 150 pubs contested the coveted ‘People’s Choice Award’,voted on by the general public, with Commercial Hotel Woods Point, emerging as the fan-favourite. In 2024, this small-town pub took home the title of Best Bush Pub, and to receive thousands of votes this year was a special pat on the back for publican Carley Burdon.
Burdon said she left speechless with the win.
“We are a tiny town in high country Victoria of about 30 people, so for our wider community and customers to get behind so much is just mind blowing. We are just a small pub, in a small town in the middle of nowhere. It’s just unbelievable!
“The pub in the scrub won. The pub with only 4 to 5 staff members, (and friends & family when we are desperate lol) won. They all work their butts off, and won. I’m so incredibility gratefully and happy that they have been recognised for everything they do. We would be truly be lost without them. Thank you so much to everyone that voted and believes in us small, remote, country pubs, this is for all of us!”
This year’s Bush Pub of the Year award was won by the Lockington Community Hotel, a true testament to resilience and country spirit. When their local faced closure, the Lockington community rallied together, raising funds and working tirelessly to restore and revitalise the pub. It’s now a thriving hub for locals and visitors, hosting popular events like the ‘Lockington Community Hotel Family Festival’ and ‘Locktoberfest,’ while offering quality food, drinks, and warm country hospitality. The pub’s role as a vital community refuge during the Rochester floods further highlights its importance to the region.
The fill list of finalists and award winners at the 2025 AHA (Vic) Awards for Excellence can be viewed here.