A huge win for our local pub and an unforgettable night for Flower Hotels at the 2026 AHA NSW Awards for Excellence!
We're still celebrating after an incredible night at the 2026 AHA NSW Awards for Excellence, where Settlers Inn was crowned Regional Hotel of the Year!
Taking home one of the biggest honours in NSW hospitality is a massive achievement for our Settlers team and a proud moment for the entire Flower Hotels family.
Held at Royal Randwick in Sydney on Tuesday, 27 October, the awards brought together the best in the business, with more than 850 nominations across 47 categories. To see our very own Settlers Inn recognised as the state's top regional hotel is something pretty special.
Regional Hotel of the Year recognises excellence across the entire hotel experience, from food and beverage offerings to customer service, venue presentation and community involvement. It's an award that celebrates the complete package, making this recognition a true reflection of the hard work and dedication of our entire Settlers team.
The win means even more as Flower Hotels celebrates 10 years in the Hastings. Settlers Inn was where our journey began, and over the past decade, we've continued to invest in the venue, our people and the experiences we offer our community.
From a great pub feed and a cold beer with mates to supporting local sporting clubs, families and community initiatives, Settlers has always been about bringing people together.
Flower Hotels Managing Director Alistair Flower said the recognition was a proud moment for everyone involved.
"To be named Regional Hotel of the Year is an enormous honour and a testament to everything our team has built at Settlers Inn. We've spent the past decade investing in our venue, our people and the experience we offer our community. To see that hard work recognised at this level is incredibly rewarding. This award belongs to every team member who has helped make Settlers what it is today."
And the celebrations didn't stop there!
Settlers Inn was also named Joint Winner of Heart of the Community, marking its third win in the category! This recognition reflects the venue's longstanding commitment to supporting local sporting clubs, charities, families and community organisations. From sponsorships and fundraising to providing resources, facilities and hands-on support, giving back has become part of everyday life at Settlers. It's about being there for our locals, celebrating their achievements and lending a hand when it's needed most.
Settlers also received a Highly Commended for Best Regional Local, recognising the importance of a great local pub experience. From friendly service and a welcoming atmosphere to great food, drinks and entertainment, it's another fantastic acknowledgement of the everyday experience our team works hard to deliver.
Over at Tacking Point Tavern, there was plenty to cheer about too, with the venue crowned Best Sporting Entertainment Venue! With its huge outdoor beer garden and big screen, Tacking Point is the place to be for major sporting moments, from footy finals and State of Origin to the biggest games of the year. Add in fantastic events like the recent Dave Stanley event, which brought the community together for an incredible day, and it's easy to see why Tacking Point has become a favourite spot for locals to catch the action, enjoy the atmosphere and celebrate together.
Four accolades across two venues is an incredible result, and none of it would be possible without the people behind our pubs. To our managers, kitchen crews, bar teams and everyone who makes our venues what they are, we're incredibly proud of you.
And to our locals, thank you for continuing to support us and making our venues such a special part of the Hastings community.
The celebrations aren't over yet, with Flower Hotels heading to the National AHA Awards for Excellence on Monday, 30 November on the Gold Coast.
A milestone year, a landmark win and a proud moment for the entire Flower Hotels family!
