2026 AHA National Awards for Excellence
A NIGHT TO CELEBRATE AUSTRALIA'S BEST
Australia's hospitality industry will come together on the Gold Coast for one spectacular afternoon and evening as the AHA National Awards for Excellence take centre stage at RACV Royal Pines Resort.From every corner of the country, Australia's leading pubs, accommodation hotels and hospitality stars will come together to compete for the ultimate national recognition. With state and territory winners going head-to-head, the stage is set for an unforgettable celebration of everything that makes Australian hospitality exceptional.
THE AWARDS NIGHT EXPERIENCE
Step into the Royal Benowa Ballroom and settle in for an afternoon of celebration, exceptional 'dunch' dining and premium beverages, as we raise a glass to the people and venues setting the benchmark for our industry.From outstanding venues to exceptional individuals, the award formalities will shine a light on the achievements, innovation and dedication that continue to shape the future of Australian hospitality.
SUMMER NIGHTS & NEON LIGHTS
Once the final awards have been presented and the formalities draw to a close, the celebration heads poolside as we turn up the volume and embrace the Gold Coast summer.
Summer Nights & Neon Lights will bring the evening to life with:
- Decadent drinks from our generous corporate partners
- Roving sweet and savoury delights
- Live sounds from Lark Music & DJ Blakeus
- Poolside celebrations under the Gold Coast night sky
It's the perfect opportunity to celebrate the year, reconnect with colleagues and friends, and make new connections with hospitality professionals from across Australia.
The AHA National Awards are more than an awards ceremony, they are a celebration of our industry, our people and the incredible venues that make Australian hospitality what it is.
Raise a glass. Celebrate the best. And get ready for one unforgettable night.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Monday 30 November 2026
Time: 3.00pm (3.15pm seated)
Venue: RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast
Dress Code: Fun, Flare & Fancy
Award Categories:
The entry fee required to nominate into the AHA National Awards for Excellence is $330 per category.
Please be aware that payment for your nomination is due within 14 days of receiving the invoice.
AHA National Award categories include:
General Division
- Best Bar Presentation & Service - Metropolitan
- Best Bar Presentation & Service - Regional
- Best Entertainment Venue
- Best Restaurant - Metropolitan
- Best Restaurant - Regional
- Best Outdoor/Non-Enclosed Facility
- Best Bistro - Metropolitan
- Best Bistro - Regional
- Best Family Dining
- Best Traditional Pub Accommodation
- Best Deluxe Pub Accommodation
- Best Retail Liquor Outlet
- Best Sporting Entertainment Venue
- Best Redeveloped Hotel - General Division
- Best Gaming Venue - Metropolitan
- Best Gaming Venue - Regional
- Best TAB Licensed Venue
- Best Marketed Hotel - General Division
- Draught Beer Quality Award
- All Abilities Hotel – General Division
Individual Awards
Accommodation Division
- All Abilities Hotel – Accommodation
- Best Restaurant - Accommodation Division (Deluxe)
- Best Restaurant – Accommodation Division (Mid-Range – Superior)
- Best Marketed Hotel - Accommodation Division
- Best Mid-Range Accommodation
- Best Redeveloped Hotel - Accommodation Division
- Best Suite/Apartment Hotel
- Best Superior Accommodation
- Best Lifestyle/Resort Style Accommodation
- Best Deluxe Accommodation
- Best Luxury Accommodation
- Best Hotel Bar - Accommodation Division
Performance Awards
- Excellence in Innovation, Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Practice
- Best Tourism Initiative
- Outstanding Community Service and Achievement
- Best Meeting and Events Venue
- Outstanding Achievement in Training
- Best Hotel Group Operator
Overall Awards
Nominee Information
Eligibility for National Awards
To be eligible to enter the AHA National Awards for Excellence, venues must have won an equivalent category in their State or Territory Awards. If you are unsure of which category you are eligible to enter, please contact our friendly events team via email on events@aha.org.au.
Please note, at the time of entering your State or Territory Awards, venues will be asked to accept their nomination into the National Awards. If you select yes, your nomination will automatically be accepted and you will be sent a tax invoice. Where your venue is an accommodation property and a night stay is required, you will also be sent a tax invoice for reimbursement of one nights stay + breakfast for two (if available).
Nomination Fees
The cost to nominate into the AHA National Awards for Excellence is $330 per category. Please be aware that payment for your nomination is due within 14 days of your confirmed nomination.
If your circumstances have changed and you no longer wish to participate, please let our events team know as soon as possible via email events@aha.org.au. Due to the timing of some of the State and Territory awards, it’s possible that our judges have already been to your venue. In this case, you may be required to pay for any judging expenses that have already been incurred.
Site Inspections and Interviews
Judging will begin in April and conclude in October. Venues may be judged any time within this period after advice has been received from State and Territory branches of those venues who have pre-accepted their nomination into the AHA National Awards for Excellence.
Site visits, along with written submissions and interviews (where applicable), will form the basis of judging.
Site visits will be 100% anonymous. Accommodation-based categories will no longer require a voucher for the judges stay. In replacement of this system, nominees will be asked to agree to be invoiced for the cost of one night’s accommodation and breakfast for two people (where required/available).
Proof of overnight stay receipts will be presented for this reimbursement of expense.
If you have any problems with this process, please contact us on the email below for assistance.
Email: events@aha.org.au
Employees nominated for individual employee awards will be contacted by the AHA National Office to set up their online video interview after each of the State and Territory awards.
Marketing and Publicity Support
All finalists will receive marketing and publicity support as a part of their nomination fee. All finalists will be presented with a “Finalist” logo (electronic version). All AHA National Awards for Excellence winners will be sent a “Winner” logo. These logos can be used in any marketing and promotional activities.
Photos & Logos
All photos and logos will be supplied by State or Territory branches. If you wish to provide updated or additional photos, please email them through to events@aha.org.au.
Photos and logos will be used for a number of marketing and promotional activities conducted by the AHA National Office in promoting finalists and the Awards night in general. Planned activities include general marketing, pre-event marketing announcing the finalists, a multi-media presentation to be played on the evening and post event media releases.
The AHA National office also reserves the right to use the images provided for ongoing promotion and collateral.
Written Submissions and CVs
In categories where written submissions or CVs are required, the AHA National events team will be sourcing all written submissions and CVs from your State or Territory branch.
If you wish to provide an update of your written submission or CV, please do so. This can be done by uploading using this online portal or can be emailed directly to our team at events@aha.org.au.


