Community & Business
8 October, 2026
The Nyngan Hotel Earns Four AHA Awards Finalist Spots
The Nyngan Hotel is a finalist in four categories at the 2026 AHA NSW Awards for Excellence.
By Abigail McLaughlin
The Nyngan Hotel has been recognised among the best hotels in the state after being named a finalist in four categories at the 2026 AHA NSW Awards for Excellence.
The recognition comes across a broad range of areas, highlighting the hotel’s marketing, accommodation, dining and customer service.
The Nyngan Hotel is a finalist for Best Marketed Hotel, Best Traditional Pub Accommodation and Best Regional Casual Dining (Western area), while manager Krista Williams has also been named a finalist for Employee Excellence in Service.
The four finalist positions place The Nyngan among a select group of venues from across NSW competing for awards that recognise excellence in the state’s hospitality industry.
The AHA NSW Awards for Excellence recognise hotels across a wide range of categories, including accommodation, food, entertainment, marketing, community service and employee performance.
Owner Emily Stanton the four nominations represented recognition of the breadth of the venue’s offering following its significant transformation and restoration.
“We’ve poured our hearts and souls into The Nyngan so to be named as a finalist in four categories is incredible,” Mrs Stanton said.
“To see the pub recognised for accommodation, dining and marketing, and Krista recognised for excellence in service, means so much to us.”
“I’ve watched Krista grow so much over the past two years, right alongside the pub. Our locals have seen the effort she puts in, week after week. I’ve seen her put her arms around people who’ve had terrible days, laugh and dance with customers and step up and handle difficult situations head on. She gives this place her all and I couldn’t be prouder to see her recognised.”
The historic hotel, which dates back to the 1880s, has underwent a major restoration to re-open two years ago as a modern hotel with accommodation, dining in its restaurant, bar and beer garden, as well as spaces for functions and events.
The Best Marketed Hotel category recognises venues for their marketing and promotional efforts, while the Best Traditional Pub Accommodation category acknowledges the quality of traditional pub-style accommodation.
The Nyngan Hotel is also competing against other western NSW venues in the Best Regional Casual Dining with finalists including hotels from Orange, Coonabarabran, Gulgong, Temora, Bathurst and Narrabri.
“Thank you to our whole team and to everyone who has supported us along the way. Four finalist spots – what an honour,” Mrs Stanton said.
The 2026 AHA NSW Awards for Excellence will be presented on October 27 at Royal Randwick Racecourse.
The winners of each category will then progress to the Australian Hotels Association National Awards.