News

Regional pubs triumph on national stage

By Lua Ikenasio

Nov 18, 2025

The Lockington Hotel and the American Hotel were recognised at the 2025 AHA national awards. Photo by Warrington Photography

Two local hotels have come away with major awards following the Australian Hotels Association’s 2025 National Awards for Excellence.

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The Lockington Hotel and Echuca’s American Hotel were among more than 600 nominees for awards on Monday, November 17.

It was an especially big night for the Lockington Hotel, which claimed the ‘Overall Hotel of the Year — Remote’ award, one of the night's major awards.

The award recognised the Lockington community’s efforts to restore and revitalise the pub and honoured their communal approach to running the hotel.

Meanwhile, the American Hotel took home the ‘Best Outdoor/Non-Enclosed Facility’, a fitting win after winning the ‘Best Outdoor Experience — Regional’ at the state awards earlier this year.

AHA national president David Basheer said the awards highlighted the role hotels played at the centre of community life.

“Hotels are more than venues, they are the beating hearts of their communities,” he said.

“From the smallest regional pub to the largest city property, our hotels bring people together in good times and tough times.

“Tonight’s winners show why Australian hospitality is the benchmark: welcoming, hardworking and deeply community-minded venues.”

The awards night was held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.